According to the Russian military, soldiers from neighboring Belarus were trained on the missiles ahead of the planned deployment of tactical nuclear weapons there. The Ministry of Defense in Moscow announced today that they have shown good results.
The ministry also released a video purported to show training at a Russian military training area in the south of the country. The Iskander-M missile system can be seen. The rockets can be equipped with both conventional and nuclear warheads.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the stationing of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus in the context of tensions with NATO countries after the war he started against Ukraine. According to the Russian ministry, weapons training has been taking place since April 3, as announced by Putin.
Belarusian soldiers studied in detail the storage and use of tactical explosive devices for missiles. There was also a rocket launch test, as can be seen in the video.
Bunker for storage until early July
Putin also justified the deployment in late March with the fact that the US had deployed nuclear weapons in Europe, including Germany, for years. After voluntarily surrendering its nuclear weapons after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Belarus is receiving nuclear missiles for the first time since the 1990s.
In addition, ruler Alexander Lukashenko also amended the constitution, which no longer stipulates nuclear-weapon-free status. Bunkers to store nuclear warheads must be completed by July 1. According to Russia, it remains in control. Weapons must be parked at the border with Poland.