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U.S. Military Officers Visit Belarus to Observe Zapad-2025 Exercises

Video released by Belarus showed two men in U.S. Air Force uniforms shaking hands with Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin.

‘Iron Diplomacy’: With NATO On Edge, Russia and Belarus Launch Major Military Drills

As Moscow and Minsk seek to show off their latest military capabilities, their NATO neighbors are expecting the two allies to probe their defenses.

Russia and Belarus Begin Zapad-2025 Military Exercises

The drills come as tensions rise on NATO’s eastern flank, with Poland accusing Russia this week of deliberately launching drones into its airspace.

Russia Urges Poland to Reopen Belarus Border

Moscow warned of consequences to the closure, which comes in response to joint Russian-Belarusian war games.

Belarus Releases 52 Political Prisoners After Meeting With U.S. Officials in Minsk

Belarusian state media reported that citizens of Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, France, Germany and Britain were among the prisoners released.

Poland and Latvia Restrict Airspace Near Russian and Belarusian Borders After Drone Incursion

Authorities said the measures are meant to give NATO patrol aircraft and air defenses freedom to intercept unauthorized flying objects.

Poland to Close Border With Belarus Ahead of Zapad-2025 Military Drills

Russia and Belarus are set to hold a scaled-down version of their regular Zapad exercises from this Friday to next Monday.

Russian Political Prisoner Dies in Belarusian Jail

Andrei Podnebenny is thought to be the ninth political prisoner to have died in Belarus since 2020, according to the rights group Viasna.

Putin Briefs India, Brazil, South Africa and Regional Allies on Alaska Summit

Putin held a similar phone call blitz with Russia’s allies ahead of the Aug. 8 deadline that Trump had given him to end the war against Ukraine.

opinion Vadim Mozheyko

Don't Cry Wolf Over Russia-Belarus Military Exercise

Zapad 2025 is certainly provocative. But acting like it is a sign of military escalation hands the Kremlin an easy political win.

‘Peace-Loving, But Locked and Loaded’: Russia and Belarus to Rehearse Nuclear Strike in Zapad-2025 Drills

The two armies will practice for the potential use of the nuclear-capable ballistic missile Oreshnik at the upcoming joint exercises.

Russia and Belarus to Hold First Zapad Military Drills Since Ukraine Invasion on Sept. 12-16

Around 13,000 personnel are expected to participate in Zapad-2025, far fewer than the roughly 200,000 who took part in the last Zapad drills in 2021.

Putin Briefs China, India and Regional Allies on Witkoff Talks

The Kremlin leader’s phone call blitz comes on the same day as Donald Trump’s deadline for Russia to end the war or face new sanctions.

Belarusians Living in Russia Granted Right to Vote and Run in Local Elections

Vladimir Putin previously said the move would help integrate Belarusians more fully into Russia’s civic life.

opinion Artyom Shraibman

Is Belarus Coming In From the Cold Following a U.S. Visit?

Lukashenko is trying to squeeze as much out of potential peace talks for as long as he can. Washington appears prepared to play along.

Russia and Belarus to Develop AI Rooted in 'Traditional Values'

Officials warned that younger generations are increasingly “vulnerable to manipulation” by foreign AI models, particularly those developed in the U...

Belarus Opposition Leader Tsikhanouski Freed From Jail

His wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said the United States helped broker the deal and thanked U.S. President Donald Trump personally.

A Fashionable Scheme: The Belarusian Company Bringing Luxury Goods to Russia

The intermediary linked to a businessman close to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko reports artificially low prices in customs documents to circumvent...

Belarus to Scale Back Joint Military Drills With Russia

Minsk said the troop reduction was meant “to demonstrate to our allies and partners around the world the truly peace-loving position of the Republic...

Shelter from Interpol: How a Finnish Criminal Found a New Life and Business in Belarus

Arto Kalevi Autio is linked to a sweeping financial scandal that engulfed Finland’s Youth Foundation. He has evaded prosecution by seeking refuge in...

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