Putin and Lukashenko announced the start of joint nuclear exercises
Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko took part in the launch of joint exercises involving forces responsible for nuclear deterrence in Russia and Belarus. During the event, the leaders of Russia and Belarus held a video conference with military units practicing the deployment of nuclear weapons and ensuring their use.
This was reported by the Belarusian state news agency BELTA.
It is noted that Lukashenko joined the conversation from one of the Belarusian Ministry of Defense’s military command posts.
“Indeed, these are the first joint exercises of this kind. But in terms of elements and components, it turns out that our general staffs and defense ministers conduct them quarterly. But without us (the leaders of Russia and Belarus—ed.). We discussed the prospect of the presidents’ participation back in the winter,” Lukashenko said.
He also stated that Belarus and Russia allegedly pose no threat to anyone. “But we have such weapons, and we are ready to defend our common homeland in every way from Brest to Vladivostok. If we have something in our hands, we must be able to use it,” Lukashenko added.
During the conversation, he reported to Putin that he had “inspected all the facilities” in the area and that “everything is in good condition.”
It is also noted that Lukashenko inspected the missile brigade’s equipment fleet in the Osipovichi District and visited the commander’s command post. He was shown an Iskander-M launcher and a simulated nuclear missile strike (electronic launch). It is claimed that all actions were carried out as they would be in a real combat situation; there was no actual missile launch.
Russian and Belarusian propaganda traditionally attempts to portray these exercises as “routine” and “defensive,” citing the alleged “defense of sovereignty” against fabricated threats from NATO and Ukraine.
Lukashenkoannounced the fulfillment of his dream of acquiring Russian “Iskander” missiles.
Russia announced the delivery of nuclear munitions to Belarus.
The Center for Strategic and Defense Studies identified three main objectives of the Russian and Belarusian nuclear exercises
