In Rare Move, U.S. Observers Join Indian Forces at Russian War Games

In a striking departure from recent military norms, U.S. officers have, for the first time, attended Russia’s flagship Zapad exercise as observers — sharing the field with a 70-member contingent of the Indian Army.

The war games, held from September 1 to 17 across Belarus, have become a diplomatic flashpoint. Traditionally seen as a show of force against NATO, Zapad 2025 has taken an unexpected turn by hosting American representatives – a presence that resonates far beyond the battlefield.

The move marks Washington’s first official military observation of a Russian-led exercise in decades, even as relations remain strained by the war in Ukraine and recurring tensions along NATO’s eastern flank. For Moscow, the inclusion of both U.S. observers and Indian troops underscores the increas