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Belarus dismisses concerns as it launches joint nuclear drills with Russia
TL;DR
Belarus has commenced joint nuclear training exercises with Russia, aimed at testing military readiness. The Belarusian Ministry of Defence stated the drills are not targeted at any specific third party, despite concerns from Ukraine and NATO allies.
Key points
- Belarus begins joint nuclear drills with Russia.
- Drills are intended to test military readiness.
- Ukraine and NATO allies express concerns over potential attacks.
Mentioned in this story
Belarusian Ministry of DefenceUkrainian Ministry of Foreign AffairsNATOBelarusUkraine
Military units in Belarus have begun joint training exercises with Russia on nuclear weapons combat, the Belarusian Ministry of Defence has announced.
The ministry said on Monday that the exercise was a planned event and not directed at any specific third party, according to a statement quoted by the Interfax news agency,
The purpose of the exercise is to test readiness and carry out combat missions from unprepared areas throughout the country, the statement added.
The announcement was met with concern from Ukraine and its NATO allies. Kyiv has repeatedly accused Moscow of planning to launch a new attack from Belarus, either on its territory or one of its NATO allies, such as neighbouring Baltic states.
“By turning Belarus into its nuclear staging ground near NATO borders, the Kremlin is de facto legitimising the proliferation of nuclear weapons worldwide and setting a dangerous precedent for other authoritarian regimes,” a Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement said.
Kyiv has urged its Western allies to tighten sanctions against Moscow and Minsk, the Belarus capital.
“Such actions must face unequivocal and resolute condemnation from all states that respect the nuclear non-proliferation regime,” it declared.
Russian tactical nuclear weapons were stationed in Belarus after long-time ruler President Alexander Lukashenko requested their deployment. Belarus and its weak economy are heavily dependent on Moscow.
Lukashenko has previously expressed hope that the warheads will provide greater security during the perceived threat from NATO.
However, “Europe’s last dictator” – as he has been dubbed – is eyeing an opportunity for sanctions relief and has recently sought to mend ties with the United States since the White House broke with Europe’s hardline approach to the war in Ukraine.
‘Attempt to inflame tension’
At the time of publication, the Russian Ministry of Defence had not published any information about the nuclear drills.
Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s allegation of a planned Russian offensive from Belarus.
“Such statements are nothing more than an attempt to further inflame tensions in order to prolong the war” in Ukraine, Peskov said.
Q&A
What are the objectives of the joint nuclear drills between Belarus and Russia?
The drills aim to test military readiness and conduct combat missions from unprepared areas across Belarus.
How has Ukraine responded to Belarus's nuclear drills with Russia?
Ukraine has expressed concern, accusing Moscow of potentially planning new attacks from Belarus against its territory or NATO allies.
What implications do Belarus's nuclear exercises have for international security?
The exercises are seen as legitimizing nuclear proliferation and could set a dangerous precedent for other authoritarian regimes near NATO borders.
