Putin and Lukashenko hold joint nuclear forces exercise
Update. Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that all objectives of the nuclear forces exercise had been completed in full, with missiles reaching their targets and confirming the specified performance characteristics.
Russia and Belarus launched a joint nuclear forces exercise on the afternoon of May 21. Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko watched via video link.
Russia has been conducting exercises on the preparation and use of nuclear forces from May 19–21. Belarus has been conducting nuclear exercises since May 18.
The exercises, as previously reported, will include working through issues related to the joint preparation and use of nuclear weapons stationed in Belarus.
Russia has deployed tactical (non-strategic) nuclear weapons in Belarus, which can be used for battlefield strikes and strikes against remote targets.
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