June 11th 2024.
Recently, Belarus and Russia have launched a series of joint exercises involving nuclear weapons. This move comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to bolster his nuclear capabilities in the face of what he sees as hostile actions and statements from Western countries.
The exercises, which began on May 21 in Russia's Southern Military District, are focused on practicing the deployment and use of nonstrategic nuclear weapons. According to Russia, these drills are a response to what they view as provocative statements and threats from the United States and its allies in Europe.
This is not the first time that Belarus has been involved in Russia's nuclear plans. In fact, last year Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko publicly announced that his country had received missiles and bombs from Russia. When asked about the timing of the delivery, he replied that it was a gradual process.
The joint exercises between Belarus and Russia are a cause for concern among Western leaders, who fear that the region is becoming increasingly militarized. This fear has only been heightened by Russia's use of Belarus as a staging ground for nuclear weapons.
The exercises themselves involve the use of tactical nuclear weapons, such as air bombs, short-range missiles, and artillery munitions. These weapons are designed to be used on the battlefield, and their deployment has sparked further tensions between Russia and the West.
In a statement to the press, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized the importance of maintaining combat readiness in the face of what he called "hostile decisions and actions" from the United States and its allies in Europe. The exercises, he said, are aimed at protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the alliance between Russia and Belarus.
The first stage of the drills, which took place last month, focused on preparing personnel and equipment for nuclear missions and deployment. This was followed by joint exercises with Belarusian forces as the two countries work to strengthen their military capabilities.
Since the conflict in Ukraine, Putin has made it clear that Russia is willing to use nuclear weapons to defend its territory. This sentiment was echoed by former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who cited the sharp escalation of threats on Russia's western borders as the reason for increasing their military-nuclear capabilities.
As part of these efforts, Belarus has received Iskander-M missiles, which are capable of carrying conventional or nuclear warheads. Additionally, some Su-25 aircraft have been modified for potential use of nuclear weapons. Lukashenko has welcomed these weapons into his country, further solidifying the close relationship between Belarus and Russia.
Overall, the joint exercises between Belarus and Russia serve as a reminder of the increasing tensions between Russia and the West. As both sides continue to strengthen their military capabilities, the potential for conflict only grows.
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