Russia and Belarus launch joint nuclear drills: What we know so far
Minsk insists the military maneuvers are routine and pose no threat to third countries.
A Belarusian serviceman
On May 18, Russia and Belarus launched joint military drills involving missile forces and aviation. The primary objective of the maneuvers is to practice the covert transport and simulated deployment of nuclear weapons.
The drills were announced by the Belarusian Ministry of Defense and Russian state propaganda outlets.
The military exercises in Belarus, which kicked off on May 18 under the command of the Chief of the General Staff, focus on practicing logistical support and the potential deployment of nuclear weaponry.
The training aims to boost personnel readiness, test equipment and hardware, and organize operations across various unprepared locations.
The drills involve missile units and aviation forces. Additionally, the troops will work alongside their Russian counterparts to practice the delivery of nuclear munitions and preparation for their potential use.
The Belarusian defense ministry says that a key element of the maneuvers involves operating in unprepared zones across the entire country. The primary focus is on covert movement, covering significant distances, and conducting the necessary calculations for deploying forces and assets.
The Belarusian Ministry of Defense emphasizes that these drills are a scheduled, routine initiative within the framework of the Union State. They also claimed the maneuvers are not aimed at third countries and supposedly pose no threat to regional security.