UN researcher doubts presence of Russian nukes in Belarus

December 11, Pozirk. There is no evidence that Russian nuclear warheads have been delivered to Belarus, Pavel Podvig, a senior researcher at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), has told The Insider.
His conclusion mirrors a similar report by the BelPol association of former Belarusian law enforcers issued about two weeks ago.
Alaksandar Łukašenka’s statements about the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus should be taken with a grain of salt, Podvig noted.
Most likely, Minsk does not have nuclear warheads, he said, noting that the Russian system of handling nuclear warheads excludes the possibility of their transportation to Belarus. Western intelligence agencies did not report the transfer of nuclear weapons, he added.
Russian nukes are likely to be stored at a centralized storage facility, with the closest one to Belarus located in Russia’s Bryansk province, Podvig said.
Nuclear weapons require security, including bunkers with steel doors, heavily guarded deforested premises and a lot of personnel, he noted. Even though Minsk was reportedly engaged in the construction of a similar facility, it does not mean that real nuclear weapons are there, he added.
Minsk allowed Russia to deploy tactical nuclear munitions in Belarus last spring. In late 2023, Łukašenka confirmed their delivery. Yesterday, he reiterated that he allowed Russia to deliver dozens of nuclear warheads.
A leaked CIA report suggested that nukes might be stored in the Mahiloŭ region yet doubts persist as to their presence in Belarus.
BelPol: no evidence of Russian nukes in Belarus
- PoliticsAt least 100,000 people persecuted Belarus, rights advocate saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Security, SocietyPolice to hold drills in Viciebsk, RečycaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security, SocietyChild wounded in drone attack leaves intensive careThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyMotor fuel prices to rise slightly after being unchanged for 11 monthsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsEleven more political prisoners identifiedThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyUzbek president to visit Minsk in early JulyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, Security
- Economy
- Politics, Security, SocietyRussian investigators blame Ukrainian military for drone attack on Belarusian busThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka announces meeting with Putin, long business trip to undisclosed locationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityEnvoy on Zelensky’s ultimatum: Ukraine can no longer ignore BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Society
- Politics, SecurityCoordination Council urges Belarusians to avoid travel to RussiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityLithuania reports spike in irregular crossings via Belarus on June 22The material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals target audiences of independent media outletsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsFormer Polish President Duda promises continued support for BelarusiansThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsUN Human Rights Council to debate Belarus report next MondayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsKGB adds 21 to list of “terrorists”The material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarus should not be forgotten, PACE president saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+



