Belarus exercises with Russian nuclear weapons

Belarus announced today that its armed forces have begun military exercises involving Russian nuclear weapons, drawing sharp condemnation from Ukraine.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko agreed in 2023 - a year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine - that his country would host Russian tactical nuclear missiles. Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that Moscow retains control over their use, according to Reuters.

"During the training, in cooperation with the Russian side, it is planned to practice the delivery of nuclear ammunition and its preparation for use," the Belarusian Ministry of Defense announced today.

The exercise is said to test the military's readiness to deploy nuclear weapons in different parts of the country. "The emphasis will be on practicing concealment, movement over significant distances, and calculation for the use of forces and equipment," the ministry said.

Belarus, which borders Russia, Ukraine and three NATO members, said the exercise was not directed against any other country and did not pose a security threat in the region.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has called on Kiev's Western allies to tighten sanctions against Russia and Belarus.

"By turning Belarus into its nuclear stronghold near NATO's borders, the Kremlin is de facto legitimizing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and setting a dangerous precedent for other authoritarian regimes," the Ukrainian ministry said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week that Russia is seeking to draw Belarus deeper into its war in Ukraine and is considering plans to launch an attack from Belarusian territory on northern Ukraine or a NATO member.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded yesterday that "such a statement is nothing more than an attempt at further incitement, aimed at prolonging the war and escalating tensions."

Reuters recalls that throughout the conflict, Putin has been reminding us of Russia's nuclear power, which the West interpreted as warnings not to get too involved in supporting Ukraine. Putin said last week that Russia would deploy its new Sarmat nuclear missile by the end of the year and that Moscow would continue to modernize its nuclear forces.