Belarus launches drills involving Russian nuclear weapons

Belarus announced training exercises involving Russian nuclear weapons, with the Belarusian Defense Ministry stating the drills would test readiness to deploy nuclear weapons across different areas of the country. The ministry said the training would include practising delivery of nuclear munitions, preparation for use, stealth, movement over significant distances, and calculations for the use of forces and equipment. The ministry added that the exercises were not aimed against any other country and posed no security threats in the region. Ukraine condemned the drills, urging Western allies to tighten sanctions on Russia and Belarus. Ukraine said Belarus was being turned into a nuclear staging ground near NATO borders and that the move legitimized nuclear proliferation and set a dangerous precedent.

"“During the training, in cooperation with the Russian side, it is planned to practise the delivery of nuclear munitions and their preparation for use,” the ministry said. It added that the exercises would focus on “practising stealth, movement over significant distances, and calculations for the use of forces and equipment.” The ministry stressed the exercise was not aimed against any other country and posed no security threats in the region."

"“By turning Belarus into its nuclear staging ground near NATO borders, the Kremlin is de facto legitimising the proliferation of nuclear weapons worldwide and setting a dangerous precedent for other authorita” the statement said. Ukraine urged Western allies to further tighten sanctions on Russia and Belarus in response to the drills."

"Belarus announced on Monday the start of training exercises involving Russian nuclear weapons, drawing wide condemnation from neighboring Ukraine. In 2023, one year after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko agreed to host Russian tactical nuclear missiles. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed Moscow's control over the missiles' use."

"In 2024, the Kremlin released a revised nuclear doctrine that placed Belarus under the Russian nuclear umbrella. Belarus shares a border with Russia, Ukraine and three members of the NATO alliance. The Belarusian Defense Ministry said the drills would test its readiness to deploy nuclear weapons."

Read at www.dw.com