Belarus launches drills involving Russian nuclear weapons

Belarus announced on Monday the start of training exercises involving Russian nuclear weapons, drawing wide condemnation from neighboring Ukraine.

In 2023, one year after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko agreed to host Russian tactical nuclear missiles.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed Moscow's control over the missiles' use.

In 2024, the Kremlin released a revised nuclear doctrine that placed Belarus under the Russian nuclear umbrella.

Belarus shares a border with Russia, Ukraine and three members of the NATO alliance.

Russia-Belarus Zapad military drill has Lithuania on alert

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

What did Belarus say about the nuclear drills?

In a statement on Monday, the Belarusian Defense Ministry said the drills would test its readiness to deploy nuclear weapons in different areas of the country.

"During the training, in ​cooperation with the Russian side, it is planned to practise the delivery of nuclear munitions and their preparation ​for use," the ministry said.

It added that the exercises would focus on "practising stealth, movement over significant distances, and calculations for the use of ‌forces and equipment."

The ministry stressed the exercise was not aimed against any other country and posed no security threats in the region.

How has Ukraine responded to the nuclear drills?

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry lambasted the drills, urging Western allies to further tighten sanctions on Russia and Belarus.

"By turning Belarus into its nuclear staging ground near NATO borders, the Kremlin is de facto legitimizing the proliferation of nuclear weapons worldwide and setting a dangerous precedent for other authoritarian regimes," the Ukrainian ministry said.

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Moscow was seeking to draw Belarus deeper into its war in Ukraine. He suggested Russia was considering plans to launch an attack from Belarus on Ukraine or a NATO member.

The Kremlin on Monday denied Zelenskyy's accusations.

"Such a statement is nothing other than an attempt at further incitement aimed at prolonging the war and escalating tensions," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Edited by: Louis Oelofse