Belarus begins military drills with Russian nuclear weapons, Ukraine condemns

On Monday, Belarus revealed that its military has begun training exercises involving Russian tactical nuclear weapons, a decision that has faced fierce criticism from Ukraine. These drills, carried out in collaboration with Russia, are centered on the preparation and delivery of nuclear arms, as well as assessing the military's capability to deploy such weapons throughout the nation. The Belarusian Defence Ministry highlighted that the exercises will focus on stealth operations, extensive movement, and strategic calculations for utilizing forces and equipment. In 2023, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko permitted the hosting of Russian tactical nuclear missiles, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, although control over their use remains with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Belarusian government asserted that the exercises do not target any other nation and do not threaten regional security.