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News Topical, Digital Desk : Russia and Belarus have started joint military exercises amid rising tensions over the downing of a Russian drone that landed in Poland. This military exercise called Zapad-2025 is being conducted near the Polish border.
Poland on high alert
Poland has been put on high alert due to this exercise. Meanwhile, France has announced the deployment of Rafale fighter jets to Poland to show solidarity as a NATO ally.
Jaishankar held talks with Polish counterpart, hoped for peace
Amid heightened tensions between Russia and NATO member country Poland, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Polish counterpart Rados Sikorski over the phone and stressed the need for an early end to the Ukraine war for regional peace.
The Russian Defense Ministry has said that in the first phase of the military exercise, both countries are practicing joint defense against an attack. In the second phase, both countries will jointly practice to retain their land and destroy the enemy. The help of the armies of allied countries will also be taken in such action.
Belarus borders several NATO countries
It is known that Belarus shares borders with three NATO member countries - Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. The Kremlin, the office of the Russian President, has said that this is a normal military exercise, and Europe's concerns about it are linked to its hostility towards Russia. The Russian Defense Ministry has said that the drones that entered Poland's border on Wednesday were actually sent to attack the western part of Ukraine, they were not intended to target anyone in Poland.
Trump called the drone incident a mistake, expressed displeasure
US President Donald Trump has admitted that the entry of the Russian drone into Poland was a mistake. He is not happy with whatever has happened in this matter. Trump has expressed hope that the matters related to this episode will end soon.
Trump said that he is losing patience with President Vladimir Putin due to Russia's actions in the Ukraine war. He may soon announce tough sanctions on Russia. But Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has contradicted Trump's statement by saying that the Russian drones' arrival in Poland was not a mistake but they were sent as part of a conspiracy.
Ukraine attacks Russia's largest oil base
Ukraine on Friday caused major damage to Russia's major oil installation by carrying out a drone attack. The latest attack took place at Primorsk port located on the coast of the Baltic Sea. This is Russia's largest oil terminal. Two ships and a pumping station caught fire in the attack. But no oil storage was damaged.
The regional governor said that more than 30 of the swarm of drones from Ukraine were destroyed in mid-air, some causing damage. Ukraine also attempted a drone attack on Moscow, but all nine drones were shot down before they could reach the Russian capital.
Britain's Prince Harry arrives in Ukraine
Meanwhile, Britain's Prince Harry suddenly arrived in Ukraine's capital Kyiv on Friday. Prince Harry's visit was to show solidarity towards the Ukrainian soldiers injured in the war.
Read More: Ukraine attacked Russia's oil refinery, huge flames erupted after drone attack
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