Russia warned to be massing ‘over 360,000 troops’ near Europe’s borders as focus turns to Belarus
A German lawmaker has warned that Russia is concentrating a large force near Europe’s borders, including in Belarus, as European officials argue the continent is entering a more dangerous phase of confrontation with Moscow.two army corps stationed in Belarus, totaling 350,000 to 360,000 battle-ready soldiers
The warning, attributed to German MP Roderich Kiesewetter, describes “two army corps stationed in Belarus”amounting to “350,000 to 360,000 battle-ready soldiers,” with the buildup presented as especially concerning for the Baltic region.two army corps stationed in Belarus, totaling 350,000 to 360,000 battle-ready soldiers Kiesewetter also described 2026 as one of the most “critical” years in recent European history, arguing Russia’s posture signals objectives extending beyond Ukraine.2026 is emerging as one of the most “critical” years
Russia and Belarus have continued to stage high-profile military activity close to NATO territory, including the Zapad-2025 (“West 2025”) joint drills, held about 45 miles from Minsk, which Moscow and Minsk described as defensive.Belarus and Russia stage joint military drills Western reporting described the exercise as involving thousands of troops, taking place amid heightened tensions along NATO’s eastern flank.Russia and Belarus launch big military exercise that fueled Western concerns
Independent assessments of Zapad-2025 have described a substantially smaller exercise footprint than the hundreds-of-thousands figure cited in the political warning. The OSW Centre for Eastern Studies, citing Lithuanian intelligence, said around 30,000 troops from Russia and Belarus were expected to take part, including about 8,000 stationed in Belarus.30,000 troops … including 8,000 stationed in Belarus
The Express report also points to Russia’s manpower generation, saying the Kremlin reported “over 400,000 new recruits” in the Russian army this year and describing “unprecedentedly intense” winter training exercises across the country.over 400,000 new recruits have enlisted in the Russian army this year“unprecedentedly intense” winter training exercises conducted by units nationwide in recent weeks
Alongside the troop warnings, the report highlighted a shift in tone from Western defense leaders, citing remarks attributed to Britain’s Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton about the need for society to be ready “to build, to serve, and if necessary, to fight,” while still acknowledging the odds of a direct Russian assault remain low but not zero.“more families will know what sacrifice for our nation means”
What is clear is that Belarus remains a focal point for Russia’s signaling toward NATO and for Western concern about escalation pathways, given the proximity to Poland and the Baltic states and the history of Belarus being used as a launchpad in earlier phases of the war.Belarus and Russia stage joint military drills
What is not clear from independently linked sources is whether troop totals in Belarus are anywhere near the 350,000–360,000 figure cited in the political warning, given other public estimates around major 2025 activity like Zapad-2025 are far lower.30,000 troops … including 8,000 stationed in Belarus
