Moscow, Sept. 12 -- Troops of Russia and its key ally Belarus on Friday began joint military drills, the Russian Defence Ministry has said.

The development comes days after Poland accused Russia of escalating tensions by firing drones through its airspace.

The exercise named 'Zapad 2025' or 'West 2025' is in "the final stage of this year's joint training between the two countries' armies," the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement reported by the country's state media TASS.

The exercise to run till September 16 will be held in Belarus, in Russia and in the Baltic Sea and the Barents Sea, top brass in Mosow cited by TASS.

The military from the two countries will practice control over battlegroups in the event of a localised aggr...