Armed Forces contingent leaves for Russia to join multilateral military exercise

An Indian Armed Forces contingent comprising 65 personnel departed on Tuesday (September 9, 2025) for the Mulino Training Ground in Nizhniy, Russia, to take part in the multilateral joint military exercise ZAPAD 2025, scheduled from September 10 to 16.

According to the Defence Ministry, the contingent includes 57 soldiers from the Army, seven personnel from the Air Force and one from the Navy. The Army team is led by a battalion of the KUMAON Regiment, supported by troops from other arms and services.

ZAPAD 2025 is aimed at boosting military cooperation, improving interoperability and providing a platform for participating nations to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures in conventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations, the Ministry added.

The week-long drill will focus on company-level joint operations in open and plain terrain, involving mission planning, tactical manoeuvres and special arms skills. It will also provide opportunities to integrate emerging technologies and operate in a multinational combat environment, it said.

India’s participation in the exercise is expected to strengthen defence cooperation with Russia and promote camaraderie among participating nations, reinforcing the spirit of collaboration and mutual trust.