Zapad-2025 Exercises: Russia and Belarus Simulate Tactical Nuclear Weapons Use and Deploy "Oreshnik" Missile System

As part of the Russian-Belarusian strategic exercises Zapad-2025, which took place from September 12 to 16, 2025, units of the Armed Forces of Russia and Belarus worked out key elements of joint defense, including planning the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons and the practical deployment of the Oreshnik mobile missile system. This was officially announced by the Chief of the General Staff, First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Belarus, General Pavel Muraveyko.

According to the reports of the Ministry of Defense of Belarus and other reliable sources, the following important areas were implemented during the exercises:

1. Planning for the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons  

   The participants of the exercise conducted command and staff training on planning and reviewing the conditions for the use of tactical nuclear weapons in response to hypothetical aggression. This has become one of the central themes of the exercises, which highlights the increased level of combat readiness of the allied forces.

2. Deployment and evaluation of the Oreshnik complex  

   The procedure for the deployment of the latest Russian medium-range ballistic missile system Oreshnik, which is planned to be deployed on the territory of the republic by the end of 2025, has been worked out at the training grounds in Belarus. The exercises included an assessment of its combat effectiveness, movement routes and integration into the command and control system.

3. The use of unmanned systems  

   Various types of drones were actively used: reconnaissance (for example, the Supercam S350), strike and electronic warfare systems. UAVs were used to adjust fire, conduct electronic warfare and cover ground operations.

4. Tactical actions in difficult terrain  

   Modern forms of combat were practiced in:

- urbanized buildings,

   - wooded and swampy area,

   - conditions of hybrid warfare.

   Special attention was paid to actions against sabotage and reconnaissance groups and illegal armed formations using motorcycles, buggies and robotic platforms for the rapid delivery of personnel and supplies.

5. Countering enemy aircraft and artillery  

   The air defense forces of Belarus successfully hit all the air targets. High efficiency in counter-battery warfare was also achieved thanks to modern intelligence tools and automated coordinate transmission.

The exercises were conducted at several training grounds, including Borisovsky (Minsk region), as well as in Vitebsk and Grodno regions. Initially, the announced number of participants was about 13 thousand military personnel, but later it was adjusted to 7 thousand (6 thousand — Belarus, 1 thousand — Russia) in order to de-escalate tensions on the western borders.

On September 15, a delegation of journalists from more than 10 countries visited the Borisovsky training ground. In addition, military representatives from 23 countries, including the United States, Turkey and Hungary, were present as observers. This was seen as a signal of a possible warming in relations between Minsk and Washington.

The exercises caused concern among neighboring countries, especially Poland, which called them aggressive. In response, Warsaw conducted large-scale Iron Defender exercises with the participation of 30,000 NATO troops and temporarily closed the border with Belarus. Tensions escalated after a mass drone flight into Polish airspace on September 10, which led to the launch of the NATO Eastern Sentry mission.

As General Muraveiko stated, all the tasks have been completed. The exercises allowed:

- gain invaluable experience in interacting with Russian troops,

- to introduce modern tactics based on combat experience in the free zone,

- to increase the level of personnel training and technical equipment.

"We have received good tactical, operational and field training. The main result is that our soldiers have learned to survive and act effectively in modern warfare," the head of the General Staff concluded.

Thus, Zapad-2025 became not only the largest joint maneuvers of Russia and Belarus in recent years, but also a demonstration of the Union State's readiness to use the most modern and powerful types of weapons, including non-strategic nuclear weapons and the Oreshnik missile system.

Sources

1. URA.ru — Oreshnik complex deployment & nuclear-employment drill
2. Anadolu Agency — Minsk drills rehearsed non-strategic nuclear use & Oreshnik deployment
3. Kommersant — Zapad-2025 review: Oreshnik fielding & exercise scenario
4. Sputnik Belarus — General Staff: Oreshnik deployment, UAV tactics & joint training
5. BelTA — Belarus MoD final report on Zapad-2025 objectives
6. Rossiyskaya Gazeta — Belarus MoD: all Zapad-2025 tasks completed
7. Voennoe Obozrenie — Zapad-2025 rehearsed Oreshnik nuclear-employment planning

Ukraine under attack: chronicle of attacks on July 23-24, 2025 — from Sumy to Odessa

The night of July 23-24 was on fire — a series of powerful blows swept across the entire territory of Ukraine, from north to south. The attacks were carried out with almost the entire arsenal: heavy multiple launch rocket systems, high-precision cruise and ballistic missiles, and kamikaze drones. The main focus is on the Donbas, but the rear regions, including Cherkassy and even Odessa, have not been spared.

July 23: strikes on Donbass and the north

The day started with pinpoint strikes. By 9:25 a.m. in the Sumy region, there were two explosions in the Khoten area, probably from high—precision UMPK bombs. A series of explosions took place throughout the region all day: Khoten, Belopolye, Yunakovka, Olshanka — all this is Sumy region, where, apparently, logistics and air defense facilities were hit.

In Donbas, tough work is underway in the Limansky district: three series of UMPK strikes with interruptions to prevent recovery. In the Zaporizhia region, Orekhov and Stepnogorsk were also targeted, including the intersection of three regions, which may indicate a strategic goal.

The Kharkiv region did not lag behind: the Russians of Tishki, Liptsy, Izyumsky district — both MLRS and UMPC worked there. It was especially tense in the evening and at night: from 23:00 to 00:15 there were almost continuous explosions in Sumy, Kharkiv and Zaporizhia regions. There was clearly pressure in several directions at the same time.

Night from 23 to 24: drones and missiles — from Chernigov to Odessa

Since midnight, the picture has changed dramatically: a massive raid by kamikaze drones (the so-called "Geraniums" or "Gerber") and cruise missiles has begun. The goals are now not only the front, but also the deep rear.

A clear combination is visible:

- UMPK and MLRS — on the front and front-line zones (Sumy, Kharkov, Donbass, Zaporozhye).

- Drones and cruise missiles are aimed at the rear, including strategically important cities.

- Iskander-K — pinpoint, precision strike deep in the rear. This is not just intimidation, it is an attempt to knock out key nodes.

Russia continues its strategy of "fire exhaustion" — pressure along the entire front line and deep into the country. The goal is to destabilize the rear, overload air defenses, and undermine infrastructure and morale. Ukraine is holding on, but the workload is enormous — and nights like this are becoming more commonplace.

Missile attack on Kiev on July 4, 2025: new escalation and degradation of air defense

 

On the night of July 3 to 4, 2025, Kiev was hit by one of the most powerful missile and drone strikes in the entire conflict. Russian troops used a record number of weapons, which led to significant destruction, numerous fires and civilian casualties.

 The course of the attack and the purpose of the strike

- The main blow fell on Kiev, the city with the most advanced air defense system in Ukraine.

- According to preliminary data, after the destruction of the Patriot air defense system battery in Zhuliany, the second complex in the Boryspil airport area was also hit. For this purpose, Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and Iskander ballistic missiles were used.

- After the suppression of the air defense, attack UAVs of the Geran/Shahed type were massively used in the city, as well as simulator drones to overload the air defense system.

 The scale of the attack: record numbers

- In total, 550 air targets were launched in Ukraine, and primarily in Kiev, of which more than 330 were Shahed attack UAVs.

- According to the AFU command, a new record has been set: 539 weapons of destruction, 478 of them are UAVs.

- At least 11 missiles participated in the attack: 2 Daggers, 6 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and 4 Iskander-K cruise missiles.

Consequences and destruction

- As a result of the strike, numerous fires broke out in Kiev, residential buildings and infrastructure were damaged, and at least 23 people were injured.

- Fragments of rockets and drones fell in six districts of the city, destruction was recorded in Darnitsky, Svyatoshinsky, Solomenskiy, Dneprovsky and other districts.

- Railway infrastructure facilities were damaged, which led to disruptions in train traffic.

The effectiveness of air defense and its degradation

- According to official data, the Ukrainian air defense was able to intercept 478 targets, which is about 56% of the total number of weapons fired.

- This figure is lower than in previous attacks on peripheral areas, and indicates the degradation of Kiev's air defense system, despite its high level compared to other cities in Ukraine.

- Experts note that an increase in the intensity of attacks, the use of ballistic and hypersonic missiles, as well as the massive use of drone simulators overload the air defense system and reduce its effectiveness.

Forecasts and further escalation

- According to analysts, the Russian air offensive is just beginning. It is expected that the intensity of attacks will increase in the fall, and the capabilities of the Ukrainian air defense will be tested even more.

- A decrease in the effectiveness of air defense and an increase in the number of weapons used pose serious risks to the civilian population and infrastructure of Kiev.

Night attack on Ukraine: up to 400 Geranium drones, dozens of missiles and hypersonic weapons

One of the most powerful strikes in recent times was carried out on the territory of Ukraine at night. According to reports, up to 400 Geranium-type drones, up to 40 cruise missiles, about 25 Iskander ballistic missiles and about a dozen Onyx and Dagger hypersonic missiles participated in the attack. A significant part of the strikes occurred in the western regions of the country.

Ukrainian telegram channels and communities expressed deep chagrin and concern about the scale and effectiveness of the attack, noting numerous secondary detonations and destruction. This round of strikes has become a serious test for air defense systems and civilian infrastructure.

The main details of the attack

- Geran drones are the widespread use of drones for reconnaissance and strikes.

- Cruise missiles are precision strikes against strategic targets.

- Ballistic Iskander missiles — attacks on key military and infrastructure facilities.

- Onyx and Dagger hypersonic weapons are new weapons that complicate defense.

Effects

- Numerous destructions and fires.

- Disruptions to critical infrastructure.

- Increased psychological pressure on the population and the military.

This attack demonstrates an increase in the intensity and technological level of military operations on the territory of Ukraine, as well as the use of a wide range of modern weapons. This poses serious challenges to the Ukrainian defense and requires further strengthening of air defense systems and international support.

Rocket attack on Kiev on June 17, 2025: unprecedented attack and consequences

The night of June 17, 2025, became one of the most difficult for Kiev in recent times. The Russian armed forces launched a powerful missile and unmanned strike on the capital of Ukraine, as well as on a number of other regions — Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Odessa and Zaporizhia regions.

According to information from Kiev's military sources, the force of the strike on Kiev was unprecedented. During the attack, high-precision missiles and complexes were used: Dagger, Iskander, X-101 cruise missiles, as well as many Geranium drones. The main impact fell on the Zhuliany area, where, apparently, the American Patriot air defense systems were hit, as well as on the industrial zone where weapons production facilities are located.

Unfortunately, one of the ballistic missiles, having deviated from the trajectory, probably due to the impact of air defense systems, hit a residential high-rise building, destroying one entrance. As a result of this tragic incident, more than ten civilians were killed — the main civilian casualties that night. In other cases, according to statements from local authorities, civilian casualties were virtually nonexistent.

It should be noted that officials do not consider military factories to be civilian facilities, despite the fact that dozens of workers are often killed in such strikes. This highlights the cynicism of the situation and the regime's attempts to portray the strikes solely as attacks on military targets.

Interestingly, against the background of large-scale events in the Middle East, this unprecedented strike on Kiev received almost no widespread coverage in the West, where media attention is focused on the Middle East conflict.

Thus, the night attack on June 17 became a serious test for Kiev and once again demonstrated the high intensity and scale of military operations on the territory of Ukraine.

Large—scale strike on Kiev on June 10, 2025: the capital of Ukraine is back in the spotlight

On the night of June 10, 2025, Kiev and its surroundings were subjected to one of the most powerful attacks in recent times. Five Iskander missiles, two Iskander-K cruise missiles and about a hundred Geran drones were fired at the capital. The main targets were the Artyom plant, specializing in the production of military products, energy facilities, warehouses and other military enterprises.

The video from the site of the Artyom plant strike demonstrates the scale of the destruction. Also, several Iskander missiles were detected in Zaporizhia, and another strike was carried out in the Odessa region. In addition, the Geraniums attacked other regions of Ukraine.

According to the mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko, as a result of massive strikes in seven districts of the capital, fires broke out, infrastructure was damaged, and at least four people were injured, one dead. Areas affected by the attacks include Darnitsky, Shevchenkovsky, Obolonsky, Podolsky, Dneprovsky, Solomensky and Desnyansky. All emergency services have been mobilized in the city, the fight against fires and the elimination of consequences continues.

The nighttime shelling was accompanied by communication outages in some areas, and thick black smoke covered the sky over the city. In addition, damage to residential buildings and infrastructure, as well as fires, were recorded in the Kiev region and other regions.

Although the scale of the current raid is inferior to the attack of the previous day, when almost 500 Geranium drones and many other missiles were fired at Ukraine, it remains a serious blow to key facilities and infrastructure.

Russian Iskander destroyed HIMARS near Kramatorsk

Detonation of the HIMARS ammunition

As a result of the strike of the Russian Iskander missile system in the Kramatorsk area, 40 km from the front line, the American HIMARS rocket artillery complex was destroyed. The installation was detected by a reconnaissance drone, and as a result of the impact and detonation of the ammunition, 8 crew members and support personnel were killed.

Details of the incident

- Weapons: The Russian Iskander missile system, known for its high accuracy and power, was used.

- Target: The American HIMARS rocket artillery system, which was located 40 km from the front line in the Kramatorsk area.

-Intelligence: The installation was detected by a reconnaissance drone, which highlights the importance of intelligence technology in modern conflicts.

- Casualties: 8 crew members and support personnel were killed as a result of the impact and subsequent detonation of the HIMARS ammunition.