May 28, Pozirk. Belarus’ senior diplomat has denied accusations that Russia violated a nuclear non-proliferation treaty by conducting a joint exercise with Belarus earlier this month.
The joint training – which featured simulated nuclear strikes – was similar to NATO’s “joint nuclear missions” and was “of absolutely defensive nature,” said Ihar Siakreta, a deputy foreign minister, at a meeting with foreign diplomats in Minsk.
Noting that the total defense expenses of neighboring Poland, Latvia and Lithuania are 25 times higher than those of Belarus, he described nuclear deterrence as “a forced, proportional and the most rational measure to ensure national security,” the foreign ministry in Minsk reported.
The May 18-19 rehearsal of the delivery of nuclear munitions and preparations for their use drew immediate backlash from Ukraine.
“The impudence of Moscow and Minsk, which have wittingly crossed all red lines of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, cannot be left without a tough, consolidated response and systemic deterrence of both regimes by the Euro-Atlantic community and the whole world,” Kyiv said.
Kyiv called for a substantial increase in international support for Ukraine’s direct efforts to deter both regimes from further expansion into Europe, urging allies to boost their military presence on the eastern flank and deepen security cooperation with Ukraine.
Belarusian troops were trained to transport nuclear munitions to firing positions and load missiles on delivery systems, such as Russian-made Iskander-M missile systems.
According to unconfirmed reports, Russian nuclear warheads may be stored at an upgraded military depot near Asipovičy. Belarusian officials refused to confirm or deny the location. There is also a training ground some seven kilometers outside Asipovičy and an Iskander-M missile site in the area.
In December 2024, the Belarusian ruler publicly said that Belarus hosted “dozens” of Russian nuclear warheads.
Belarus hosts at least two types of delivery systems for nuclear munitions – Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile systems and modified Su-25 attack aircraft capable of carrying free-fall nuclear gravity bombs.
The Su-25s are reportedly based in Lida, near the border with Poland. Iskander-M missile systems have been also spotted in Mačuliščy, Minsk region, and Ziabraŭka, Homiel region, near the border with Ukraine.
The Russian defense ministry reported that, as part of the exercise, units of the Strategic Missile Forces, the Northern and Pacific Fleets, Long-Range Aviation and the Leningrad and Central Military Districts deployed strategic missile systems to field positions and prepared missiles for launch.
Russia also deployed nuclear submarines carrying ballistic missiles to “sea training range areas” for combat duty.
Personnel from the Russian Aerospace Forces were trained to equip Kinzhal hypersonic aeroballistic missiles with “special” warheads and fly aircraft to designated patrol areas.
