After breaking away from a crumbling Soviet Union in the early 1990s, Belarus became increasingly aligned with Russia, unlike its neighbors. That bond strengthened as Russia waged its war against Ukraine.

The Zapad-2025 military drills come just days after Poland accused Moscow of violating its air space with a drone incursion.

The Pentagon on Tuesday confirmed that U.S. military officials observed joint war games between Russia and Belarus on Monday, accepting an invitation for the first time since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

TALLINN, Estonia -- A Belarusian court sentenced Tuesday a prominent independent journalist to four years in prison, days after more than 50 political prisoners were released as part of a U.S.-brokered deal. The opposition and rights activists denounced the ruling as part of a continuing crackdown on dissent.

Putin said the maneuvers were aimed at strengthening the defense of the Union State of Russia and Belarus against "any aggression."

Ukraine launched large airstrikes that hit a chemical plant and an oil refinery inside of Russia as Moscow tested a new hypersonic cruise missile with Belarus.

NATO says it's bulking up its defensive posture on its eastern flank bordering Belarus, Russia and Ukraine with new equipment