Strategic signal: joint nuclear drills on the border

The Belarusian side will cooperate with the Russian Federation. Elements of Russia’s tactical nuclear weapons are already located on Belarusian territory. Plans call for refining procedures for delivering nuclear munitions onto the country’s territory and preparing them for use.

“During the exercise, in coordination with the Russian side, it is planned to rehearse the delivery of nuclear munitions and their preparation for use. The main feature of this undertaking will be to test readiness to carry out combat missions from unprepared areas across the entire territory of the Republic of Belarus. The main emphasis will be placed on working out issues related to operational concealment, movement over considerable distances, and conducting calculations for the employment of forces and assets,” the statement from the Belarusian Defence Ministry reads.

The main objectives of the drills are “to improve the level of personnel training, verify the readiness of weapons, military and special equipment to carry out tasks, and organise combat employment from unplanned areas.” Missile force units and aviation will be involved in the maneuvers.

Belarus’s Ministry of Defence emphasised that the drills are being organised within the framework of the Union State of Russia and Belarus. They are “planned in nature, are not directed against any other state, and do not pose a threat to security in the region.”

President Alexander Lukashenko agreed to accept Russian tactical nuclear missiles in 2023. The Russian Federation retains full decision-making authority regarding their potential use. Although Belarus insists that the drills are not directed against any state, we know that Vladimir Putin has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons against European countries, among other scenarios in the event that they send their troops to Ukraine.