Russia-Belarus 'Zapad-2025' drills escalate tension: Russia test calibr submarine Missile, hypersonic zircon strikes

The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Monday (September 15) that the TU-22M3 supersonic rocket-bearing bombers over neutral waters patrolled in the Barents Sea as part of the ongoing Russia-Belus joint ‘Zapad-2025’ Military Bore. The flights lasted four hours, showing Moscow and Minsk’s coordination in large -scale exercises designed to improve combat readiness. The drills, which began on September 12, are officially described as defense exercises, which aim to prepare for a possible attack on Russia or Belo -Rusland. Both countries have repeatedly said that they have no intention of attacking NATO members. According to Interfax, Ruslaal and Navy tests performed several high-profile weapons tests during the drills: A calibr missile was launched from the core submarine Arkhangelsk on a designated target in the Barents Sea. On Sunday, Russia fired a hypersonic speed missile from the Northern Navy’s Admiral Golovko -Fegat from the Northern Navy and hit the target in a direct strike. Sukhoi SU-34 Supersonic fighter aircraft carried out air strikes, and long-distance submarine aircraft were also involved. The Circon missile, which can fly nine times the velocity of sound with a series of more than 1 000 km, is designed to reach both signals and land goals. International observers at least two US military officers were in Belo-Russia to observe the exercises, along with Russian officials, including Deputy Minister of Defense Yunus-Bek Yevkurov. Other international participants include representatives of NATO members Turkey and Hungary, as well as China, Ethiopia and Indonesia. Belo -Russian defense minister Viktor Khrenikov personally welcomed the US officers and said: ‘We will show what you are of interest. Whatever you want. You can go there and look, talking to people. ‘ Border tension The drills have raised concerns about local safety. Poland temporarily closed its border with Belo Russia as a precaution to Russian Drone invasion on September 9-10 in the Polish area. The closure disrupted one of China’s main routes across the country to Europe. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski informed Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi about the border closure, emphasizing that the move was driven by safety issues rather than trade disputes. “Maneuvers with a very aggressive scenario are currently taking place in Belo Russia,” said Pool’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Pawel Wronski, and emphasizes the constant exposure to a ‘hybrid war’ along the eastern borders of Poland. Strategic and geopolitical context underlines Belo -Rusland’s close alliance with Russia. President Alexander Lukashenko allowed the Russian forces to use the Belo -Russian area to enter Ukraine in February 2022. It has since offered Russian tactical nuclear weapons, according to a report at Reuters, China, meanwhile, has had strong ties with Moscow despite international criticism. Beijing still calls for peace talks and respect for territorial integrity, but has never condemned Russia’s actions, not even strengthening trade and military cooperation. Regional implications The exercises, combined with increased border safety, underline the tension in Eastern Europe as the war in Ukraine approaches its fourth year. The NATO’s “Eastern Sentry” operation was activated to Russian drone invasion in Poland.