after Moscow, the Belarusian army says it is carrying out a verification of its tactical nuclear weapons launchers

In the summer of 2023, Russia deployed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, its closest ally and a neighboring country of the European Union. Weapons which remain under Russian control.

The exercise should make it possible to verify the degree of “preparation” from the country. A few hours after Moscow ordered nuclear exercises involving troops based near Ukraine, Belarus declared on Tuesday May 7 that it had undertaken “a verification” of its armed forces and its “tactical nuclear weapons launchers”, according to a press release from the Belarusian Defense Ministry.

“As part of this event, part of the forces and aviation assets are redeployed to a reserve airfield”underlined the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Victor Goulevitch, quoted in this press release. “Once this redeployment is accomplished, we will address issues related to preparations to employ non-strategic nuclear weapons,” he continued.

A “synchronized” exercise with the Russian ally

Quoted by the official Belta press agency,he Secretary of the Belarusian Security Council, Alexandre Volfovitch, for his part, specified that this exercise would be “synchronized” with Moscow and will involve “first of all”on the Belarusian side, Iskander systems and Su-25 aircraft.

In the summer of 2023, Russia deployed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, its closest ally and a neighboring country of the European Union, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has blown hot and cold on a possible use of nuclear weapons since the start of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022.

On Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the upcoming organization of exercises aimed at “maintain preparation” of the army to protect the country, “in response to provocative statements and threats made against Russia by certain Western officials”.