Russia launched large-scale military drills in Belarus and nearby regions, involving about 7,000 troops, aircraft, tanks, drones, and artillery in mock battles against “Western forces.”

The Zapad exercises, smaller than past versions due to the war in Ukraine, come after a record incursion of Russian drones into NATO airspace in Poland, heightening tensions.

Poland has closed its border with Belarus and deployed 40,000 troops, while Lithuania and Latvia restricted their airspace, ABC News has reported.

Though Moscow insists the drills are defensive, NATO remains on alert, wary of escalation and Russia’s possible focus on nuclear-capable weapons.