Poland deploys 40,000 troops ahead of Russia-Belarus Zapad drills
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Poland deployed 40,000 troops on its eastern border as Russia and Belarus launch the Zapad 2025 drills amid tensions over a Russian drone incursion.
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Territorial defense officers clean up debris from the destroyed roof of a house, after Russian drones violated Polish airspace during an attack on Ukraine, in Wyryki near Lublin, Poland, Thursday, September 11, 2025. (AP)
Poland has deployed 40,000 troops along its eastern border as it braces for Russia and Belarus’ large-scale military exercises, Zapad 2025, set to begin Friday.
The buildup comes days after 19 Russian drones were said to have crossed into Polish airspace, prompting Warsaw to invoke NATO’s Article 4 for the eighth time in the alliance’s history. Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Europe is “closer to open conflict than at any point since World War Two,” calling the upcoming drills “very aggressive.”
Tusk also ordered the closure of Poland’s border with Belarus, citing fears the maneuvers could mask a new military buildup. “Poland has been preparing for the Zapad-2025 exercises for many months,” Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk told Polsat News. “In the coming days, we will have about 40,000 soldiers at the border.”
Concerns over Russian intent
The Kremlin plans to hold the exercises with Belarus near Poland and Lithuania through September 16. Though officially described as defensive, Zapad (“West”) drills have previously preceded real-world action: the 2021 edition saw Russian forces mass in Belarus before the Ukraine war began months later.
A former NATO official warned that this year’s exercises “could serve as a cover” for further deployments. Germany’s chief of defense, Carsten Breuer, said NATO would “be on our guard,” while alliance head Mark Rutte cautioned that Moscow’s rearmament and potential coordination with Beijing could risk a wider confrontation.
Reports suggest Russia may use the drills to test a new nuclear-capable missile close to NATO territory.
Fallout after drone incursion
Poland’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the UN Security Council will convene on Thursday at Warsaw’s request to discuss the drone incident. Moscow denied targeting Poland, saying the aircraft were aimed at military facilities in western Ukraine and may have strayed off course.
The intrusion, the largest of its kind, has underscored tensions on NATO’s eastern flank just as Zapad 2025 begins.
This also comes as NATO prepares both military and political responses after Russian drones allegedly violated Polish airspace during overnight strikes on Ukraine, marking the first time allied aircraft have shot down drones in NATO territory since the war began.
According to a source familiar with the matter, the response will be aimed at strengthening deterrence across NATO’s eastern flank. The alliance emphasized that its actions will remain defensive in nature.
NATO response underway
The incident, which took place on the night of September 9–10, involved 19 drones, several of which were destroyed by NATO forces after crossing into Polish airspace.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte condemned Russia’s actions as “reckless and dangerous,” warning that the alliance takes any violation of its borders seriously.
“Whether intentional or not, it is absolutely reckless. A full assessment of the incident is ongoing,” Rutte told reporters Wednesday.
The military response is being coordinated by Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alexus Grynkewich, who is overseeing planning and supply assessments. The alliance said any measures would focus on reinforcing air defenses and deterrence posture along its borders.
Politically, an initial response came on Wednesday as NATO leaders issued a joint condemnation of Russia’s actions.
