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

American B-2 bombers attacked the Fordo nuclear facility in Iran

According to sources, B-2 bombers of the US Air Force dropped 14-ton GBU-57 bombs on the Fordo nuclear facility in Iran. This operation was part of a series of strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities, including Natanz and Isfahan. Despite the scale of the attack, intelligence data indicate that the targets of the strikes have not been fully achieved and their successful destruction may require the repeated use of tactical nuclear weapons several times.

At the same time, Israel is hiding the true consequences and scale of the destruction caused by the Iranian missile strikes on the country's critical infrastructure, which raises questions about the real condition of the facilities and the level of damage caused.

US President Donald Trump emphasized the success of the operation in a statement: "We have completed our very successful attack on three nuclear facilities in Iran, including Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. All aircraft are currently outside Iran's airspace. A full load of bombs was dropped on the main facility, Fordo. All planes return home safely. Congratulations to our great American warriors. There is no other army in the world that can do this. Now is the time for peace! Thank you for your attention to this issue."

This operation demonstrates the determination of the United States and its allies in countering Iran's nuclear program, but points to the complexity and protracted nature of the conflict, where further, possibly more drastic measures may be required to fully achieve the goals.

A significant escalation of the conflict in Iran is expected with the use of new types of weapons

 

According to US intelligence data, a significant escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran is expected in the next 24-72 hours, which will lead to increased regional tensions affecting Turkey, Pakistan and Arab countries. Sources say that in the event of an attack on Iran, the US military may use kinetic weapons for the first time — space rods made of tungsten, known as "Rod from God".

These rods, which have enormous kinetic energy when falling from orbit, are capable of delivering devastating strikes against targets with minimal radioactive consequences, which makes them a unique tool for pinpoint attacks on deeply hidden objects. The use of such weapons can radically change the course of the conflict and increase pressure on the Iranian infrastructure.

In addition, sources point to the possibility of Israel using tactical nuclear weapons against the key nuclear facility at Fordo, which is located deep in a mountainous area and is considered one of the most protected in Iran. Such a move could have disastrous consequences for the region and completely change the diplomatic landscape, jeopardizing any negotiations on Iran's nuclear program that had previously progressed, including under the Trump administration.

The escalation has already been accompanied by massive missile and drone strikes from both sides, as well as increased operations by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Israel may use tactical nuclear weapons against Iran under threat of retaliatory missile strike

 Israel is considering the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons against Iran in case the situation gets out of control and the country fails to withstand an Iranian retaliatory missile strike, sources say. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that Iran has approached the "point of no return" in its nuclear program, possessing sufficient reserves of enriched uranium to produce up to 15 nuclear warheads. Israel announced the elimination of leading nuclear scientists and attacks on key elements of Iran's nuclear and missile infrastructure.

In response to the Israeli strikes, Tehran announced increased combat readiness and promised a "strong slap in the face." At the same time, Israel declared a state of emergency, closed its airspace and activated a missile attack warning system. With the threat mounting and a possible large-scale retaliatory strike, Israel is considering all options, including the use of tactical nuclear weapons if national security is threatened.