Defense official speaks on nuclear weapons, arms procurement

February 4, Pozirk. The deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus is a critical strategic deterrence factor, said Andrej Fiedzin, deputy defense minister for armament.

“It is much more effective than pouring huge funds into the purchase of arms, entering the so-called arms race and spending huge public funds,” Fiedzin told the “Arsenal” show on the Belarus 1 television channel.

He said the defense ministry was closely following developments in Ukraine. “And we cannot say that we have been shown something fundamentally new in terms of using weapons or equipment.”

“On the contrary, the experience of this conflict has proved the previously chosen priorities on developing weapons systems correct and no significant adjustments are required,” he said.

Fiedzin went on to say that more than 70 different models of weapons and equipment were taken into service last year.

He mentioned Mi-35M combat helicopters, Polonez multiple rocket launchers, and Iskander and Tor missile systems among “the most remarkable supplies.”

The army will continue to use the Protivnik-GM, Vostok, and Rosa radars, he said.

The ground forces will soon receive upgraded T-72BM2 tanks. The special operations forces will continue to receive modernized BTR-70MB armored personnel carriers. They will also be supplied with Rogneda air monitoring complexes, according to Fiedzin.

“We will continue to purchase unmanned aircraft systems and means of fighting them. In addition, we pay constant attention to reconnaissance, surveillance, aiming and protection systems, as well as the equipment of personnel,” the general said.

The army also plans to put into service the modernized surface-to-air missile system Buk-MB2, the armored personnel carrier V-2 and the unmanned aerial strike system Chekan.

Before the December 25 meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in St Petersburg, Alaksandar Łukašenka said that tactical nuclear weapons had long been delivered from Russia to Belarus, with the “last delivery” in early October. “Everything is in its place, in good condition,” he said.

Russia retains control over the arsenal, the Russian foreign ministry said on December 15.

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine, and the authorities in Minsk backed the Kremlin. The Russian army invaded the neighboring country from Belarusian territory and then fired missiles at Ukrainian cities for several months. Russia also used Belarusian military infrastructure.