Belarus Holds Military Drills Near Poland and Lithuania Borders

Minsk says the exercises are "purely defensive," but the location near the Suwałki Gap raises concerns.

Belarus has started four-day military exercises near its borders with Poland and Lithuania. The drills began on September 15 and will last until September 18, according to the Belarusian Defence Ministry.

The exercises involve mechanised and tank battalions. Soldiers are training in border protection, counter-sabotage operations, and defence against drone and light aircraft attacks.

Where Are the Drills Taking Place?

Some exercises are happening near the Suwałki Gap. This is a narrow corridor between Poland and Lithuania. NATO considers this area strategically critical.

The Hoża training ground is right on the Lithuanian border. The Brzeski and Różański ranges are about 15 and 60 kilometres from the Polish border.

Why Is the Suwałki Gap Important?

The Suwałki Gap is one of the most sensitive security areas in Europe. It is a 104-kilometre stretch of the Polish-Lithuanian border. This land link connects the Baltic states to the rest of NATO. At the same time, it separates Belarus from Russia's Kaliningrad region.

What Does Belarus Say?

Minsk insists there is no cause for concern. The Belarusian defence ministry describes the exercises as "purely defensive".

Authorities also claim that the number of participants and the amount of weaponry used do not exceed the limits set out in the 2011 Vienna Document. This document would require prior notification of other states. However, no exact figure has been given for the number of soldiers taking part.

Belarus and Russia: Close Allies

Belarus is one of Russia's closest allies. In February 2022, Minsk allowed Russian forces to use Belarusian infrastructure and territory to conduct operations against Ukraine.

Belarus has not deployed its own armed forces in direct combat on Ukrainian territory. Because of this, Minsk is not considered a party to the conflict under humanitarian law criteria. However, the extent of support provided to Russia continues to draw international criticism.

In recent days, new information has emerged about cooperation between the two countries. On Monday, Ukraine's Border Guard Service reported that Russian forces are using Belarusian relay stations to control drones attacking targets in western Ukraine.

A Pattern of Military Activity

The exercises now underway are part of broader efforts to test the readiness of Belarus's armed forces. On September 11, Alyaksandr Lukashenka visited the Obuz-Lesnowski training ground near Baranavichy. The Belarusian leader said he wanted to review the functioning of the entire national security sector.

Minsk has held military exercises close to NATO's borders for years. In the past, Russian troops have often taken part. In 2020, the "Slavic Brotherhood" manoeuvres were held at a training ground in the Brest area. A year later, the Zapad 21 exercises took place.

The current situation, however, gives these activities an additional dimension. Belarus remains a key ally of Russia, and its military cooperation with Moscow continues to be closely watched by NATO and Western countries.