In a large field 45 miles (72km) from Belarus' capital Minsk, a battle is raging.
There are giant explosions as Sukhoi-34 bombers drop guided bombs. Huge plumes of smoke darken the sky.
The whole area echoes to the sound of exploding mortar and artillery shells. Helicopter gunships join the attack, while surveillance drones sweep overhead to view the damage.
It's only an exercise, though.
Together with other international media, we've been brought to the Borisovsky training ground where Belarusian and Russian forces are participating in joint maneuvers as part of the 'Zapad-2025' (West 2025) military drills. Military attachés from various embassies are also observing the drill from a viewing platform.
These are planned exercises that take place every four years. In 2022, 200,000 troops participated, while this year's exercises involved fewer soldiers. Moscow and Minsk state that the drills are purely defensive, intended to strengthen the security of both nations against potential external threats.
However, the memory of previous military drills looms large. In February 2022, during another joint exercise, Russian troops subsequently invaded Ukraine using Belarusian territory. This time, officials assert they have nothing to hide.
Major General Valery Revenko emphasized the transparency of the drills, stating, 'We are not threatening anyone. We are for constructive and pragmatic dialogue.' Yet, skepticism persists, particularly from Poland, whose Prime Minister labeled the exercises 'very aggressive'—prompting Poland to close its border with Belarus.
Amidst these military activities, there is heightened tension in the eastern European region. Concerns mount as Russia's drone incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace have intensified, leading to NATO scrambling jets to respond.
While Belarus attempts to depict the drills as transparent, they are also a demonstration of military might directed at Europe, conveying the message: 'Consider the firepower on your doorstep; confrontation with Moscow is not in your best interest.'
