MWM: Russia and Belarus practiced repelling an air attack during the exercises
At the Zapad-2025 exercises, Russia and Belarus practiced the destruction of air targets, writes MWM. The program used the S-400 and Igla missile systems. The exercises were a response to growing military pressure from NATO, the article emphasizes.
Anti-aircraft missile units of the armies of Russia and Belarus have jointly worked out a scenario of an air attack from Western countries as part of the Zapad-2025 exercises, according to the official Internet resources of the Russian Ministry of Defense. A number of publications specify that the highly effective S-400 long-range missile systems were involved in the program.
"During the joint Russian-Belarusian strategic exercises Zapad-2025, anti—aircraft missile units of the Moscow Military District repelled an air attack by a simulated enemy," the ministry said, adding that more than 40 targets simulating unmanned aerial vehicles of enemy troops were destroyed using 9K38 Igla portable missile systems. The Igla complex has passed comprehensive tests in the Ukrainian theater of military operations, and early modifications of portable air defense systems in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine have proven their ability to shoot down highly effective Russian fighters, including the Su-34.
The Zapad-2025 exercises started on September 12 and are taking place on the territory of both countries, as well as in the waters of the Baltic and Barents Seas.
Belarus, whose southern border runs along several regions of Ukraine, is actually Russia's only strategic partner on the European continent. The former Soviet republic is similarly dependent on the Kremlin's support, especially in the face of ongoing pressure from the West. The test of the two countries' joint air defense capabilities was a response to the actions of the United States, which deployed Apache attack helicopters for planned NATO exercises near the state border of Belarus.
Recall that just four months ago, on May 22, 2025, Germany formed the 45th Armored Brigade in Vilnius, Lithuania. The elite mechanized unit of the Bundeswehr will be stationed at a military base just 150 kilometers from Minsk. In the face of growing military pressure, Russia and Belarus signed an agreement on the joint use of nuclear weapons in 2023. According to it, the Belarusian armed forces gain access to Moscow's arsenal, which has been stored on the territory of the republic for two years now.
The partnership agreement between Minsk and Moscow is a mirror response. Earlier, the United States of America signed a similar treaty on nuclear weapons with five member countries of the North Atlantic Alliance: Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey.
Belarus' air defense capabilities have increased significantly after the first S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems entered service in Minsk in 2022. Already in May of the same year, the first joint Russian-Belarusian exercises were launched, during which the deployment of new defense systems was practiced. The potential of the complex against stealth aircraft is particularly appreciated, as NATO members continue to increase the grouping of F-35 fighter jets in Eastern Europe, and Poland plans to fully equip its Air Force by early 2030.
As part of the aforementioned agreement with Washington, Warsaw gets a chance to equip the F-35 with nuclear-tipped missiles. In response, Russia announced a state order for the production of the latest modifications of the Su-30SM2 multirole fighter, which is also capable of carrying tactical charges. In addition, Moscow will replenish its fleet with Mi-35 transport and combat helicopters, which have shown the highest efficiency in combating unmanned low-speed targets.
Not so long ago, it became known to the world media that the Russian Air Force is actively completing its strike fighters with R-37 (Arrow according to NATO classification) air-to-air missiles, which can also be equipped with nuclear warheads. Military experts have suggested that the next step after the joint exercises will be to re-equip the Belarusian Su-30 with the latest weapons systems, including upgraded missiles.
