Russia and Belarus Begin Large-Scale Military Exercises Amid NATO Concerns and Tensions with Poland

Russia and its ally Belarus began on Friday conducting joint strategic military exercises near the borders of NATO countries, a move that has raised widespread concern in Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia, especially after an incident involving the breach of Polish airspace by drones believed to be Russian.

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the exercises, which will last until Tuesday, include field training near a city east of the Belarusian capital Minsk, along with naval drills in the Barents Sea and the Baltic Sea, confirming that they are part of enhancing military coordination between Moscow and Minsk.

The start of the exercises coincided with Russia's announcement of the downing of 221 Ukrainian drones in one night, in one of the largest aerial assaults carried out by the Ukrainian army since the beginning of the conflict, reflecting a rapidly escalating situation on the Ukrainian front.

In response to the exercises and airspace violations, Poland announced a complete closure of its borders with Belarus during the training period, while neighboring countries imposed restrictions on air traffic, amid warnings that the situation could turn into an open conflict.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the breach of about 20 drones into Polish airspace on Tuesday night–Wednesday morning is considered "the closest to an open conflict since World War II," while Moscow denied responsibility for the incident, describing the Polish actions as "hostile and unjustified."

On Thursday, Russia demanded that Warsaw reconsider its decision to close the borders, considering this step as a "confrontational measure" that threatens regional stability.