According to the TASS agency, the exercise in Belarus was initiated by an “unannounced inspection of nuclear weapons carriers” and relevant personnel, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Chrenin announced, adding that the action was ordered by “the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Alexander Lukashenko.”
According to Chrenin, “a division of the Iskander operational-tactical complex and a squadron of Sukhoi Su-25 aircraft are now preparing to fulfill the intended tasks.”
As part of the inspection, part of the forces and means of the Belarusian Air Force were moved to a reserve airport, where, after the subsequent transfer of technical personnel, preparation for training in the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons will begin, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense announced.
New Belarusian military doctrine envisages Russian tactical nuclear weapons
Europe
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation/Handout, Reuters
Russian combat aircraft Sukhoi Su-25
Russia also conducts similar exercises at its bases and polygons. The goal is to “increase the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces to carry out combat missions in order to unconditionally ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Russia,” the Russian Ministry of Defense said.
Last year, Russia deployed nuclear weapons in Belarus, which together with it forms the so-called Union State. Belarusian dictator Lukashenko is seen as an ally – or rather a puppet – of the Kremlin. Belarus provided Russia with the background to invade Ukraine.
Minsk repeatedly talks about the threat posed by the West, especially Poland and the Baltic countries. It is with this threat that he explains the necessity of deploying Russian nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory as well as the expected change in military doctrine that envisages their deployment.
Great maneuvers in Russia. The West is said to be provoking
Europe
Tags: Minsk Moscow rattling nuclear weapons checking readiness deployment
