Expert on Zapad-2025 exercises: no threat to anyone

In his talk with SB TV, Colonel Andrei Bogodel, the Deputy Head of the Department for Educational and Scientific Work – Head of the Educational and Methodology Department of the Faculty of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Military Academy of Belarus, commented on the significance of the joint Belarusian-Russian Zapad-2025 exercises scheduled to be held in autumn 

Photo: video screenshot

Mr. Bogodel stressed the key point: the integration of Belarus and Russia in the military sphere is so close and the countries’ interaction is spelled out in all documents so fully that potential aggression against our country will automatically lead to a global armed conflict.

“Westerners have long perceived us as a single entity. The deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus and the start of work on the deployment of the Oreshnik complex in the republic have actually strengthened their opinion in this regard, I believe. Anglo-Saxons may not admit this in documents and in public speeches, but conceptually they have such assessments in their minds. I think each of us sees perfectly well that our countries co-operate well within the framework of the Union State and that citizens of Belarus and Russia have equal rights. Such a unity based on equal rights is important both for Belarus and for the Russian Federation, because it shows that rapprochement with Russia does not pose a threat to sovereignty: on the contrary, it allows us to strengthen our potential and ensure the national security. The latter is not just a military component, it covers many other issues as well,” the expert stated.

Speaking in more detail about the Zapad-2025 exercises, Mr. Bogodel emphasised, “Of course, we take into account how the West acts during its exercises, what groups it creates, how it moves troops and which of them are concentrated near our state borders. During our drills, we will definitely practice how to protect ourselves, taking into account the specifics of the terrain and other aspects. The exercises will be defensive in nature, of course. Will the Oreshnik complex or tactical nuclear weapons be used for combat training purposes? As far as I know, such issues may be worked out, but we will know for sure only when the time comes.”

“Actually, any exercise is a factor of strategic deterrence, and we are not aiming to threaten the West,” the expert explained. “We are not going to flex our muscles or pose a threat. Nevertheless, our enemies will be watching our actions closely, but we are not against that. An issue is currently being discussed on inviting OSCE member states to the exercises – primarily those that do not take a hostile position towards Belarus. I think there will be representatives from Turkiye, Hungary and other countries who want to co-operate with us. We are ready to build normal relations with everyone. At the same time, the leaders of the Baltic States and Poland now adhere to the position of ardent Russophobia, they reject the reality developing in Belarus.”