# Military exercises in Baltic and Belarusian border regions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/military-exercises-in-baltic-and-belarusian-border-regions
> Updated: 2026-09-15T10:10:45.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

In mid-September 2026, military activities increased in the Baltic region. Lithuania conducted large-scale exercises from September 14 to 18, involving infantry, drones, and artillery drills. These maneuvers included live-fire exercises by the Iron Wolf Infantry Brigade directed toward the Baltic Sea and boat maneuvers on the Nemunas River.

Simultaneously, Belarus launched a four-day military exercise from September 15 to 18 near the borders of Poland and Lithuania. Conducted in the Grodno and Brest regions, the maneuvers involved mechanized and tank battalions. The Belarusian Ministry of Defense stated the exercises were intended to prepare for ‘joint tasks during the preparation and conduct of strategic operations,’ focusing on border protection and repelling attacks involving drones and light aviation. Authorities characterized the drills as ‘exclusively defensive.’

Belarusian officials claimed the scale of these exercises did not require notification under the 2011 Vienna Document. The maneuvers took place near the Suwalki Gap, a strategic NATO corridor, with training sites including Gozha in the Grodno region, which sits directly on the Lithuanian border, as well as Brest and Ruzhany near the Polish border. 

In response to regional tensions and recent drone incidents, the Polish military has been reinforcing its border with Ukraine. Sappers from the 4th and 18th Regiments are constructing observation posts and strengthening infrastructure using Hesco Bastion fortification systems in locations such as Dorohusk, Medyka, and Korczowa.

## Claims

- The military exercises in Belarus are exclusively defensive in nature. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Troop tasks include border defense, combating sabotage groups, and repelling attacks from drones and light aircraft. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The military exercises are scheduled to take place from September 15 to September 18. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The number of participants and weaponry used do not exceed thresholds requiring notification under the 2011 Vienna Document. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The exercises aim to prepare commanders and units for conducting strategic military operations. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The Polish military is building observation and guard posts and strengthening infrastructure at the border with Ukraine. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Polish engineers from the 4th and 18th Sapper Regiments are using Hesco Bastion fortification systems at the border. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-15: Belarus conducts military exercises near Poland and Lithuania borders

Belarus is conducting four-day military exercises near the Polish and Lithuanian borders. Meanwhile, Poland is reinforcing its border with Ukraine using Hesco Bastion fortifications.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/belarus-conducts-military-exercises-near-polish-and-lithuanian-borders

### 2026-09-14: Lithuanian military conducts regional exercises and live-fire drills

Lithuanian military forces are conducting widespread exercises from September 14–18, including tactical maneuvers in Elektrėnai and live-fire artillery training in the Klaipėda region.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lithuanian-military-conducts-regional-exercises-and-live-fire-drills

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Cite as: Military exercises in Baltic and Belarusian border regions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/military-exercises-in-baltic-and-belarusian-border-regions