Belarus is betting on trade with Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by Russia. This has become a new stage in the country's economic strategy, which is trying to support enterprises through cooperation with Venezuela, Syria, North Korea, and the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
Poland will open its border with Belarus on the night of September 23-24 after the completion of the joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises 'Zapad-2025'. Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the government may close the borders again in case of tension or aggressive behavior from Russia or Belarus.
In Poland, the Central Bureau of Investigation liquidated a criminal group involved in the illegal trade of luxury cars. Almost 600 vehicles were illegally smuggled to Russia and Belarus, and companies received over 40 million zlotys in undue VAT refunds.
On September 21, fragments of objects resembling drones were found in three voivodeships in Poland. Reports came from the Białogard, Siedlce, and Zamość counties.
Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service, reported that no movement of Russian equipment or personnel is being recorded on the border with Belarus. Belarus continues to keep a small number of its units near the Ukrainian border.
The fuel shortage has affected at least 20 regions of Russia, including the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The price of AI-92 gasoline rose and exceeded 73.2 thousand rubles per ton, which became a historical maximum.
The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a note of protest to the Russian side regarding the diplomatic mission's publications about opportunities to study in the illegally occupied territories of Ukraine. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna explained that such actions by the embassy contradict Estonian legislation.
Belarus declared a Czech diplomat persona non grata and summoned a Polish diplomat. This happened in response to the expulsion of Belarusian diplomats from the Czech Republic and Poland.
Ukraine has been elected to the Administrative Council and the Postal Operations Council of the Universal Postal Union. Russia and Belarus lost the elections to this organization, which underscores their isolation.
Estonia will completely stop importing Russian natural gas, including liquefied gas, from next year, according to a government decision of September 18. This expansion of sanctions was initiated by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna to cut the Kremlin's revenues.
Lithuanian operator Litgrid has completely dismantled sections of cross-border power lines connecting Lithuania with Russia's Kaliningrad region. This signifies the final disconnection from the Russian grid and strengthens integration into Europe's continental electricity system.
Local residents of the Polish village of Stanisławka discovered a drone that likely violated Polish airspace. This is not the first incident after Russia's attacks on Ukraine, which led to an investigation and the invocation of NATO Article 4.
MFA spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi stated that Russian troops who participated in the "Zapad-2025" exercises in Belarus are preparing to return to the territory of the Russian Federation. The number of Russian military personnel in the exercises was significantly smaller than in previous years.
Russia has redeployed marines from the Kursk and Sumy directions, also capturing part of the Serebryansky forest.
In the first eight months of 2025, over 25 million people crossed the Ukrainian border, which is 5% more than last year. Hundreds of attempts at illegal crossing are recorded, mostly in the Polish direction.
The joint Russian-Belarusian exercises "Zapad-2025" have concluded, with no direct threats to the Ukrainian border recorded. Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, announced the reduction of Russian military presence in Belarus.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the participation of American military personnel in the Russian-Belarusian exercises "Zapad-2025" in Belarus. This visit took place as part of a "distinguished visitors day" and is a sign of warming relations between Washington and Belarus.
In Poland, according to sources, a missile from an F-16 fighter jet, which was trying to shoot down a drone, crashed into a house in Wyryki. The prosecutor's office and the Ministry of Defense do not disclose information, but sources claim that it was an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile with a guidance system malfunction.
A 21-year-old Ukrainian and a 17-year-old Belarusian woman were detained in Warsaw for launching a drone over government buildings and the Belvedere Palace. They could face up to five years in prison for violating aviation law.
The exercises also involve Russia's Oreshnik hypersonic missile, which was tested last year.
Aliaksandr Lukashenka claims that Belarus has nothing to do with drones violating the airspace of Poland and Lithuania.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, during talks in Warsaw with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, stated the need to adhere to the UN Charter and respect Ukraine's sovereignty. He also drew attention to Russia's destabilizing actions and the invasion of Russian drones into Polish airspace.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called Lukashenka's meeting with the representative of the occupation administration of Kherson region a gross violation of international law. Ukraine reserves the right to an adequate response, including strengthening sanctions.
India has sent 65 servicemen to participate in the Russia-led 'Zapad' military exercises, which practice war scenarios with NATO countries. The maneuvers, involving 30,000 Russian and Belarusian troops, include ballistic missile launches and simulated airstrikes.
A drone was detected over government buildings and the Belvedere Palace in Poland. The State Protection Service neutralized it, and two Belarusian citizens were detained.
Great Britain is sending Typhoon fighters to Poland in response to the violation of its airspace by Russian drones. This step is part of a NATO mission to strengthen the defense of the eastern flank.
Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces, General Janne Jaakkola, stated that they are closely monitoring the "Zapad" exercises of Russia and Belarus. He noted that Russia has resources for other purposes besides the war in Ukraine and warned of possible "unexpected turns" during the maneuvers.
The EU is closely monitoring the joint military exercises "Zapad-2025" on the territory of Belarus. The EU calls on Russia and Belarus to adhere to the 2011 OSCE Vienna Document and is preparing for potential security threats.
American military personnel observed joint military exercises of Russia and Belarus, which began amid escalating tensions with NATO. Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin invited them to see "everything that interests them," which became another sign of warming relations between Washington and Belarus.
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggest that Russia is assessing NATO's capabilities and reaction through drone attacks on Poland and Poland and Romania. These attacks may be an attempt to gain experience for future aggression against the Alliance.
