The maneuvers are part of Zapad 2025, large-scale drills taking place from September 12 to 16 in Russia, Belarus, and across the Baltic and Barents Seas. Zircon launch from Admiral GolovkoThe Zircon is one of several hypersonic weapons Russia has promoted as a new generation of deterrent. Moscow has touted hypersonic missiles since Putin’s 2018 state-of-the-nation address, which unveiled a suite of new systems intended to bypass NATO missile defenses. MiG-31K aircraft conduct Kinzhal patrolsThe Zapad drills also featured long-range flights by MiG-31K interceptors armed with Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles. According to Lithuanian intelligence, about 30,000 soldiers are involved in Zapad 2025, including around 8,000 in Belarus and 4,000 in Kaliningrad.