{"id":188106,"date":"2026-05-19T14:43:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T11:43:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/188106\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T14:44:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T11:44:50","slug":"russia-describes-ongoing-drill-as-training-for-using-nuclear-weapons-based-in-belarus","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/188106\/","title":{"rendered":"Russia describes ongoing drill as training for using nuclear weapons based in Belarus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\n (Russia's tactical nuclear missiles)\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (Russian defense ministry)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

May 19, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>A joint Belarusian\u2013Russian drill that kicked off in Russia on May 19 will rehearse the use of nuclear weapons deployed in the territory of Belarus, according to the Russian defense ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The maneuvers focus on \u201ctraining and the use of nuclear forces\u201d to deal with the \u201cthreat of aggression.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exercise will include training events to boost the combat readiness and support system of Russia\u2019s nuclear forces and to practice \u201claunches of ballistic and cruise missiles at training grounds in the territory of the Russian Federation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement on May 18, Belarus\u2019 defense ministry said that the exercise was designed to enhance the readiness of the Armed Forces to use modern weapons, including \u201cspecial\u201d munitions. The drill will reportedly aim to improve personnel training, test the readiness of weapons and military and special-purpose equipment for performing their functions and involve combat operations from \u201cnon-preplanned areas.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Units of the missile and air forces have been deployed for the exercise, during which Belarus and Russia reportedly plan to rehearse the delivery of nuclear munitions and preparations for their use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Paviel Muraviejka, first deputy defense minister\/chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Belarus, is reportedly in charge of the maneuvers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exercise has drawn immediate backlash from Ukraine, which called for new sanctions against Belarus. Belarusian opposition leader \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja warned that Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka was leading Belarus to \u201cbig trouble.\u201d<\/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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