Belarus’ Iskander missile unit starts combat training

April 26, BPN. Belarusian Iskander-M missile system crews have started “active combat training at the point of permanent deployment,” defense ministry’s press office reported.

On April 22, the unit’s servicemen returned from Russia where they spent 18 days improving their practical skills in maintenance and use of tactical nuclear warheads with the Iskander-M missile system, it added.

The crews showed “excellent results confirming a high level of readiness to carry out tasks for the intended purpose,” the ministry noted.

Belarusian crews started operating the Iskander system independently on February 1.

The Russian-made Iskander operational-tactical missile system is designed to destroy air/missile defense capabilities, as well as critical infrastructure such as bridges, command posts or communication centers.

The system can fire both cruise and quasi-ballistic missiles. The Iskander-M modification used by the Russian military has a range of 300 to 500 kilometers.

Belarus put Russian S-400 and Iskander missile systems on combat duty following Alaksandr Łukašenka talks with Vladimir Putin in late December.