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ConflictsLithuania

Russia-Belarus Zapad military drill has Lithuania on alert

03:06

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Lisa Louis at the Lithuanian-Belarusian border
September 11, 2025

Lithuania is boosting its border security in anticipation of joint Russian-Belarusian military drills in neighboring Belarus. The exercise, called Zapad (meaning "West" in Russian), will be a testing ground for Russia's latest nuclear-capable ballistic missile.

Lithuania is on high alert as Russia and Belarus begin joint military drills near its border — the first since the Ukraine war started. Troop movements, drone use and the testing of a new Russian hypersonic missile have locals worried the border could become a front line. 

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