Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
Germany is sending fighter jets and troops to Poland.
Germany is sending fighter jets and troops to Poland.
What is happening?
Just months before launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia carried out “Zapad” – a vast military exercise involving over 200,000 troops simulating attacks on NATO positions.
Now, Russia and Belarus are preparing to hold a similar joint exercise once again, sparking alarm across Europe.
Baltic nations and Poland on high alert
The upcoming drills are causing serious concern in neighboring NATO countries, especially the Baltic states and Poland.
Many fear the exercises could be used as a smokescreen for military provocation—or worse, an actual offensive—against a NATO member.
Germany deploys fighter jets and troops to Poland
In response, Germany has sent Eurofighter jets and 150 soldiers to a Polish air base.
According to the German Air Force, the deployment began on a Tuesday and is intended to reinforce NATO’s collective defense and deter potential threats from the east.
A symbol of NATO unity and strength
Germany’s Air Force described the move as a “clear sign of alliance solidarity,” emphasizing its role in protecting shared airspace.
While the exact number of jets hasn’t been officially confirmed, German media reports suggest five Eurofighters have been deployed.
Not a defensive excercise
Though Moscow claims the exercises are defensive, experts in the West view them with suspicion
General Leon Komornicki says to the Polish media Defence24, that, in his opinion, the excercises will be kind of af prelude, or scenarios of possible aggression against the Baltic states – specifically Lithuania.
Cutting off Lithuania from NATO
Estimates suggest that the Zapad-2025 could involve between 100,000 and 150,000 troops – less than the number from the Zapad before the invasion of Ukraine, but not to be underestimated.
Gen. Komornicki believes that the possible scenarios, Zapad will test, will be how to cut of NATO-member Lithuania from the rest of the alliance.
CEPA warns of escalation strategy
The Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) suggests the upcoming drills form part of a broader Russian strategy to prepare for possible ground conflict along NATO’s eastern flank—beyond Ukraine.
The think tank also notes Russia’s recent military build-up near Europe’s borders.
Belarus reconsiders its role amid growing tensions
Initially, Belarus had planned to move the exercises away from its western border to ease regional tensions.
But worsening political and military conditions may force Minsk to rethink, potentially bringing the drills closer to NATO territory once again.
Ukraine: It’s no longer ‘if’ – but ‘when’ and ‘where’
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently stated that Russia is planning further military operations on European soil.
Ukraine’s intelligence chief went even further, warning that an attack on Europe is not a question of “if” but “when” – and which country will be first.
