Nato on high alert as Russia and Belarus start military drills on Polish border
Russia and Belarus begin military drills days after Poland shot down drones
- Russia and Belarus have begun major joint military drills, known as "Zapad 2025", near NATO's eastern borders, specifically Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.
- The five-day manoeuvres follow an unprecedented violation of Polish airspace by Russian attack drones, sparking fresh security concerns.
- Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the closure of the border with Belarus, including railway crossings, citing national security reasons due to the drills.
- Polish officials stated the drills are directly aimed at Poland and the European Union, with Poland deploying 40,000 troops along its borders with Belarus and Russia.
- While a US president suggested the drone incursion into Poland could have been a mistake, Mr Tusk refuted this, asserting it was a deliberate act.