Russia supplied nuclear-capable missiles at own expense – Łukašenka

January 19, Pozirk. Belarus received Iskander missile systems “for the Russians’ money,” Alaksandar Łukašenka said on a trip to the Barysaŭ district.

“True, we pay them other bills,” Łukašenka said, as quoted by his press office.

On February 1, the defense ministry reported that Belarusian soldiers started a fully independent operation of Iskander missiles.

It said Belarusian missile units trained in Russia and were staffed only by contracted military personnel. It did not specify how many missile launchers were in Belarus.

According to Pul Pervogo, a semiofficial Telegram channel, today Łukašenka said he signed an edict for the Iskanders to be used “only with the consent of the president; the consent of the defense minister. The chief of the General Staff is involved. Everyone has their functions.”

Łukašenka noted that the Iskanders are very dangerous and that nuclear weapons are difficult to use. “We have received a lot of ammunition, first of all missiles. Nuclear weapons put everyone in their place. As soon as they appeared in Belarus, everyone closed their wings,” he said. He asked God to save him and the new generation of politicians from having to consider the use of nuclear arms.

In 2024, the Belarusian military plans to test-launch Iskander missiles.