U.S. military observers pay surprise visit to Belarus to observe war games with Russia

U.S. military officers observed joint war games between Russia and Belarus on Monday and were told by Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin that they could look at “whatever is of interest for you.”Russia and Belarus began the “Zapad-2025” exercise at training grounds in both countries on Friday at a time of heightened tension with NATO, two days after Poland shot down Russian drones that crossed into its airspace

U.S. military officers observed joint war games between Russia and Belarus on Monday and were told by Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin that they could look at “whatever is of interest for you.”

Russia and Belarus began the “Zapad-2025” exercise at training grounds in both countries on Friday at a time of heightened tension with NATO, two days after Poland shot down Russian drones that crossed into its airspace.

The attendance of the Americans at a training ground in Belarus was presented by the country’s defense ministry as a surprise.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bryan Shoupe observes the joint Russia-Belarus "Zapad-2025" military drills.Ramil Sitdikov / Reuters“Who would have thought how the morning of another day of the Zapad-2025 exercise would begin?” it said in a statement noting their presence among representatives from 23 countries including two other NATO member states — Turkey and Hungary.

The ministry released video showing two uniformed U.S. officers thanking Khrenin for the invitation and shaking his hand.