As indicated in our previous materials, the active phase of military transport as part of the joint Belarusian-Russian strategic exercises Zapad-2025 was expected to begin in the first half of August 2025. Nevertheless, at present, large-scale railway transport is not actually being conducted—neither on the Russia–Belarus route nor within the republic itself. The instances of troop train movements that have occurred are isolated and insignificant in volume.
Thus, on September 5, 2025, the arrival of another troop train from Russian territory to Belarus was recorded. The train consist was small in size—only seven railcars:
- Departure station: Smolensk-Sortirovochny (code 17000), Moscow Railway (RZD).
- Destination station: Vitebsk (code 16000), Vitebsk Division of the Belarusian Railway.
- Crossing of the interstate junction point: Rudnya (Moscow Railway, RZD) — Zaolsha (NOD-6, Belarusian Railway) between 20:20–20:40.
- Estimated arrival at destination station (Vitebsk station): 21:30–21:45.
At present, there is no information on the exact composition, cargo of the specified troop train, or the personnel that arrived with it. However, considering the departure and arrival stations, it can be assumed that the train delivered part of the personnel of the 144th Guards Motor Rifle Division (military unit 23060). This is indicated by the deployment of division units in Smolensk and its surroundings, as well as in settlements near the border with Belarus—such as Klintsy, Yelnya, Pochep, and Zaymishche.
As a reminder: according to data from our previous material (see belzhd.info: military transport on the Belarusian Railway from August 4 to 9, 2025), during the period of August 5–6, the first troop train arrived in Belarus on the route Nara–Borisov. The train delivered personnel and equipment of units of the 4th Guards Tank Division of the Russian Armed Forces and the 2nd Guards Motor Rifle Division of the 1st Guards Tank Army of the Russian Armed Forces, engaged in preparation for the Zapad-2025 exercises.
According to the same publication, on August 6, a second train arrived at Losvida station from Luostari, carrying personnel of the 71st Guards Motor Rifle Division. As it subsequently turned out, the transfer was carried out for participation in CSTO exercises:
– with the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces (CRRF)—Vzaimodeystviye-2025;
– with reconnaissance forces and assets—Poisk-2025;
– with logistics forces and assets of the CRRF—Eshelon-2025.
Additionally, it should be noted: the personnel of the 71st Guards Motor Rifle Division that arrived on August 6, 2025 at Losvida station from Luostari station (Oktyabrskaya Railway), engaged in the CSTO exercises, according to available information, have not yet left the territory of Belarus after their completion. From this, it can be assumed that part of the personnel of this division will remain to participate in the upcoming Zapad-2025 exercises.
Considering the above and based on currently available information on the volume of military transport, it can be concluded that the current preparation for the upcoming joint strategic exercises Zapad-2025 is significantly “lagging behind” the volumes of similar exercises Zapad-2021. The exercises themselves are scheduled for September 12–16, 2025.
Thus, if we consider equal, officially announced time periods of the respective years, a striking difference in the volumes of these railway transports becomes apparent. And if in 2021 approximately 30 troop trains arrived during August, then in the current year of 2025 there have been only 3 so far, with the initial purpose of one of them being participation in CSTO exercises.
Related materials:
– In the near future, delivery of Russian military personnel, equipment, and armaments for the Zapad-2025 exercises will begin on the Belarusian Railway;
– Military transport on the Belarusian Railway from August 4 to 9, 2025, as part of the Zapad-2025 exercises.
