{"id":188004,"date":"2026-05-18T17:45:04","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T14:45:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/188004\/"},"modified":"2026-05-18T17:45:06","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T14:45:06","slug":"belarus-nuclear-drill-draws-backlash","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/188004\/","title":{"rendered":"Belarus\u2019 nuclear drill draws backlash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

May 18, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>A joint Belarusian\u2013Russian drill rehearsing the delivery of nuclear munitions and preparations for their use has drawn immediate backlash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarusian opposition leader \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja expressed concern that Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka could drag Belarus into serious trouble, while Kyiv called for new sanctions against Minsk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy make our country a target for retaliation in the event of a nuclear strike?\u201d Cichano\u016dskaja wrote on her Telegram channel. \u201cFor Belarus to become a peaceful country, it is necessary to stop \u0141uka\u0161enka.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She recalled that Russia used Belarusian territory and infrastructure to invade Ukraine in February 2022, accusing \u0141uka\u0161enka of complicity in the war of aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ukrainian foreign ministry accused Minsk and Moscow of violating the Non-Proliferation Treaty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kyiv called for a substantial increase in international support for Ukraine\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statements came hours after Belarus launched an exercise involving military units responsible for the combat use and support of nuclear weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The defense ministry said the exercise focuses on covert operations, long-distance troop movements, and calculations related to the deployment of forces and equipment. It stressed that the drill is part of scheduled Union State training activities, is not directed against third countries, and poses no threat to regional security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka and other officials have repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons in the event of an attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t touch us, and you can forget about nuclear weapons. But if you carry out an act of aggression, we will respond immediately. The targets have been determined,\u201d he told foreign journalists in Minsk on July 6, 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier, he said he had ordered the army to point its missiles at Europe\u2019s decision-making centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russia claimed to have deployed nuclear weapons to Belarus in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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