**Lithuania Holds Military Exercises Amid Tensions with Russia and Belarus**
The Baltic country of Lithuania has launched its annual military exercises, known as Arsus Vilkas 2025 (Fierce Wolf 2025), near the border with Belarus. The drills began on August 11 and will run until August 22. This comes just days after a significant number of Russian troops and equipment arrived in Belarus for the large-scale Zapad-2025 exercises, scheduled to take place in mid-September.
The Lithuanian military exercise is being organized by the Gelezinis Vilkas battalion and involves approximately 350 personnel and 50 pieces of equipment. The drills will feature simulated ammunition and pyrotechnics, with infantry companies and battalion headquarters redeploying to the Varena district for defensive operations in populated areas. In the second week, division-level live fire exercises will take place at the Gaiziunai training ground in central Lithuania.
Lithuania has been a vocal critic of Russia’s actions since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine. The country is part of NATO and the EU, sharing borders with both Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave. There are concerns that the Zapad-2025 drills could be used as cover for renewed Russian aggression. Ukrainian officials have expressed similar worries, citing the possibility of increased military activity by Russia using Belarus as a staging ground.
In response to these concerns, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned in February that Russia planned to deploy up to 150,000 troops, equivalent to 15 divisions, to Belarus. This fear was fueled by the Zapad-2021 drills, which preceded and facilitated Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The Zapad-2025 exercises have been met with caution by NATO and Ukrainian officials, who are monitoring the situation closely. The head of Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service spokesperson, Andrii Demchenko, stated that while several hundred Russian soldiers and dozens of pieces of equipment had arrived in Belarus to participate in drills, this number did not pose a threat to Ukraine. Intelligence units continue to track further arrivals of Russian forces.
In contrast, Belarussian Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Muraveika previously said the Zapad-2025 drills would take place away from the western border to reduce tensions. However, on July 23, Minsk signaled a possible change, citing increased military activity by Poland and Lithuania.
The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between Russia, Belarus, and their neighbors. As the world waits for further developments, one thing is clear: these drills are being closely watched by those concerned about regional security and stability.
**What’s Next?**
As the Zapad-2025 exercises progress, it will be crucial to monitor the situation closely. Will the drills indeed reduce tensions, or will they serve as a precursor to further aggression? The international community is watching with bated breath, awaiting the outcome of this complex geopolitical dance.
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