Russia and Belarus concluded joint nuclear exercises on May 21, highlighting Russia's ability to use Minsk for future military operations and deepening the Kremlin's de facto control over Belarus. This is stated in a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), UNN reports.
Details
Analysts point out that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, presided over the second stage of joint Russian-Belarusian nuclear exercises on May 21.
At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that Russian troops delivered nuclear munitions to Belarus, while Belarusian troops practiced receiving, equipping, and moving specialized munitions and launchers for the "Iskander-M" ballistic missile system,
They emphasize that Putin stated that Russia and Belarus plan to hold the biennial "Union Shield" exercises in 2027, which may "include a nuclear component for the first time."
Exercises with Russian nuclear weapons deployed on Belarusian territory underscore the extent to which Russia has absorbed Belarus under its de facto control. The Constitution of Belarus previously stated that Belarus was a non-nuclear state, but Belarus amended its constitution in 2022, renouncing the country's neutrality and non-nuclear status, likely under Kremlin pressure and influence on decision-making,
They assess that the Russian-Belarusian exercises reflect the deterioration of Belarusian sovereignty and the expansion of Russia's capabilities to use Belarus as a bridgehead for its own military goals.
Recall
Russia demonstrated what it claims to be footage of the delivery of nuclear warheads, including to Belarus, as part of large-scale nuclear exercises taking place in Russia and Belarus.