Belarus Launches Military Drills Focused on Deploying Russian Nuclear Weapons

Belarusian Military Exercises

According to Главком: On May 18, Belarusian armed forces initiated military exercises involving the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons. These maneuvers are being conducted in coordination with the military leadership of the Russian Federation. The primary objective of the drills is to assess logistical chains and the technical readiness of units.

In 2023, Alexander Lukashenko agreed to host Russian tactical nuclear missiles on Belarusian territory. The exercises will emphasize training in the following areas:

• stealth operations;
• long-distance mobility;
• force and equipment deployment calculations.

Belarus’s Ministry of Defense highlighted that the key focus of the event is verifying readiness to carry out combat missions from unprepared locations across the entire country.

Russian President’s Statements

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia plans to deploy the new Sarmat nuclear missile by the end of the year. According to him, the missile’s range may exceed 35,000 kilometers, and it is intended to replace the Soviet-era Voevoda system. This situation has raised concerns in Ukraine, which has reported efforts by Russia to draw Belarus into the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has disclosed Russian plans for actions south and north of Belarusian territory, further underscoring regional tensions.

Thus, the Belarusian military exercises starting May 18 reflect close military cooperation with Russia and the persistence of strategic plans that could impact security in Ukraine and neighboring countries. These actions highlight Belarus’s growing role as a key strategic partner for Russia, potentially undermining regional stability and posing new challenges for the international community. In particular, such drills could escalate the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and heighten tensions across Eastern Europe.

These military drills come at a time when Belarus is ramping up its defense posture, as evidenced by Lukashenko's recent call-up of reserve officers and the growing concerns surrounding the 'Oreshnik' threat. This escalation illustrates the deepening military ties between Belarus and Russia, which could further destabilize the region and provoke reactions from neighboring countries.