Belarus holds nuclear exercises following Russia's announcement amidst tensions with the West

Belarus has recently kicked off military drills, involving missiles and warplanes capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons, with the support of its ally Russia. These exercises come at a time of heightened tensions with Western nations over the situation in Ukraine. The Belarusian military maneuvers were initiated in response to similar drills conducted by Russia, which simulated the use of battlefield nuclear weapons.

This move by Russia followed statements from Western officials suggesting potential deeper involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. Belarus' Defence Minister, Viktor Khrenin, confirmed the participation of Iskander short-range missiles and Su-25 fighter jets in these joint drills with Russia. Interestingly, these maneuvers took place around the time of Russian President Vladimir Putin's fifth-term inauguration, during which he reiterated his commitment to safeguarding Russia's security interests.

In a show of solidarity, Russia has stationed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, a decision supported by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Lukashenko, known for maintaining close ties with Russia, has allowed his country to be used as a staging ground for military operations in Ukraine. It is important to note that the tactical nuclear weapons deployed in Belarus are under the control of the Russian military, and they serve a different purpose than traditional nuclear weapons, focusing on more localized and targeted use.

The presence of these tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus bolsters Russia's ability to swiftly target potential threats in Ukraine and various NATO member countries in Eastern and Central Europe. Both Putin and Lukashenko have justified this deployment as a response to perceived Western aggression, portraying the military exercises as defensive in nature. Lukashenko has emphasized that these drills are essential for deterring any potential attacks against Belarus, highlighting the defensive capabilities of the weapons involved.

The exercises include the movement of tactical nuclear weapons from storage facilities to military units, where they can be mounted on missiles and attached to aircraft for potential use in defensive scenarios. However, not everyone is supportive of this military cooperation between Belarus and Russia. Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who recently met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, has denounced the presence of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus.

She argues that it poses a significant threat to European security and raises concerns about the safety of European citizens. In conclusion, the joint military drills between Belarus and Russia involving tactical nuclear weapons have raised tensions with Western nations, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While Belarus and Russia maintain that these exercises are defensive in nature, critics argue that the presence of such weapons only serves to escalate the already volatile situation in the region.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how these maneuvers will impact the broader geopolitical landscape in Europe.