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In the wake of heightened tensions with the West, Russia alongside Belarus has launched the second stage of their military drills focusing on tactical nuclear weapons, as confirmed by the Defense Ministry of Russia on June 11.
“The European continent is experiencing growing strain, fueled daily by antagonistic decisions and measures from European capitals, especially from Washington, directed against Russia,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as cited by Reuters.
Russia previously indicated that the drills are a rebuttal to the “provocative statements and threats by certain Western officials against the Russian Federation.”
Despite Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, issuing nuclear threats to Ukraine and Western nations since the February 2022 full-scale offensive, these threats have not been actualized, with Russia continuing its aggressive war without deploying its nuclear arsenal.
During a May visit to Belarus, Putin and the Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko deliberated on the involvement of Belarus in the Russian non-strategic nuclear drills.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the current exercises will involve coordinated operations between Russian and Belarusian military forces aimed at “the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons.”
Despite international concern over the nuclear drills, both Lukashenko and Putin have dismissed the anxiety. Lukashenko referenced this as the third such drill following the supposedly stationed Russian tactical nuclear warheads on Belarusian soil in 2023.
Putin has characterized the Russian nuclear exercises as standard, noting that the current cooperative drills with Belarus follow the stationing of some non-strategic nuclear capabilities in Belarus.
As Russia’s staunch ally, Belarus has backed its aggression towards Ukraine but has not engaged its forces in the conflict. Reports suggest Belarus is storing Russian tactical nuclear weapons.
On May 6, as commanded by Putin, the first stage of these drills was conducted with missile units positioned in Russia’s Southern Military District, encompassing Ukrainian territories under occupation.
Soon after, Lukashenko initiated an impromptu inspection of Belarus’s tactical nuclear weapon launch capacities.
The nuclear arms situated in Belarus are controllable exclusively by Moscow.
An official from the White House suggested on June 7 that the United States might need to bolster its strategic nuclear armaments deployment due to the increasing threats from China, Russia, and other nations.
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FAQ Section
What is the purpose of the second stage of tactical nuclear weapons drills by Russia and Belarus?
The drills are ostensibly a response to perceived provocative actions and threats by Western officials against Russia. They involve training for the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons by Russian and Belarusian forces.
Have nuclear threats made by Putin against Ukraine and the West been actualized?
No, the nuclear threats have not been carried out; Russia continues its military campaign without deploying nuclear weapons.
Can Belarus use the nuclear weapons on its territory independently?
No, the nuclear weapons located in Belarus require Moscow’s authorization for use.
How has the international community responded to these drills?
There is international concern regarding the drills; however, leaders of Russia and Belarus have dismissed these concerns.
Has Belarus directly participated in the conflict against Ukraine?
Belarus has supported Russia’s aggression but has not committed its own forces directly to the conflict.
