Russian and Belarus began a major joint military exercise on Friday (September 12) that will involve drills in both countries and in the Baltic and Barents seas, the Russian defense ministry said.

The "Zapad-2025" exercise - a show of force by Russia and its close ally - is taking place at an exceptionally tense moment in the Russia-Ukraine war, two days after Poland shot down suspected Russian drones over its airspace.

The exercise was scheduled well before the drone incident took place.

"The objectives of the drills are to improve the skills of commanders and staffs, the level of co-operation and field training of regional and coalition groupings of troops," the defense ministry said on Telegram.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday (September 11) that the drills, including near the Polish border, were not aimed against any other country.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION, RUSSIA (RELEASED SEPTEMBER 12, 2025) (RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTRY - Do not obscure logo)

1.VARIOUS OF ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES WITH SOLDIERS MOVING

2.(MUTE) DRONE FOOTAGE OF ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES MOVING

3.(MUTE) PILOT IN COCKPIT PREPARING TO TAKE OFF

4.(MUTE) MILITARY HELICOPTER TAKING OFF, FLYING

5.(MUTE) VARIOUS OF MILITARY HELICOPTERS IN SKY

6.(MUTE) MILITARY AIRCRAFT TAKING OFF

7.(MUTE) PILOT IN COCKPIT AT THE CONTROLS OF AIRCRAFT

AT SEA (RELEASED SEPTEMBER 12, 2025) (RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTRY - Do not obscure logo)

8.VARIOUS OF WARSHIPS AND MILITARY BOAT GOING

9.VARIOUS OF WARSHIP WITH SOLDIERS STANDING ABOARD MOVING

10.VARIOUS OF FLEET MOVING

11.VARIOUS OF BOAT BEING MOORED TO SUBMARINE

12.FLAG OF THE RUSSIAN NAVY WAVING

13.SERVICEMEN AT SUBMARINE

14.BOAT UNMOORING FROM SUBMARINE

15.VARIOUS OF SUBMARINE GOING

16.MILITARY BOAT GOING

17.VARIOUS OF SUBMARINE GOING