MINSK, 13 August (BelTA) - The Zapad 2025 exercise will involve the planning for the employment of nuclear weapons and the Oreshnik system, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said as he took questions from journalists following a closed-door report to the head of state in Minsk on 13 August, BelTA learned.
According to the defense minister, the exercise will drill nuclear weapons employment planning. “This represents a crucial element of our strategic deterrence policy. The head of state demands that we must be ready for all possible scenarios. We are closely monitoring the situation along our western and northern borders and cannot remain passive observers of ongoing militarization and military activity. While demonstrating our openness and commitment to peace, we must always keep our powder dry,” Viktor Khrenin stated.
The defense minister highlighted that nuclear weapons are capable of inflicting unacceptable damage on potential adversaries.
The defense minister emphasized that during the exercise, Belarusian and Russian military personnel will also drill the Oreshnik system employment planning. "Naturally, as part of the Zapad exercise, we will conduct joint drills with our Russian colleagues regarding the planning for the employment of this weapons system," he stated.
The defense minister also noted that NATO is attempting to use Zapad 2025 as a pretext for its own exercises. “Most alarming is the Polish military command’s decision to assemble a force grouping exceeding 30,000–34,000. By our assessment, this already constitutes a significant combat-ready formation. We must monitor this very closely (which we will do) and respond accordingly. Should they demonstrate any aggression toward the Republic of Belarus, we have the means to retaliate,” he said.
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