Belarus's "Defensive" nuclear drills stir concerns under Russia's shadow

For several days now, Belarus has been engaging in comprehensive military drills that incorporate the utilization of tactical nuclear weapons. As Lukashenko himself states, "their purpose is purely defensive", implying that provocations are unlikely. These exercises are among the first of their kind since Belarus came under Russia's "nuclear umbrella".

The readiness of the means of transportation, including SU-25 attack aircraft and Iskander and Polonez missiles, is being evaluated. This involves testing the aircraft's capability to relocate missile systems to predetermined locations. Importantly, these operations can proceed without involving nuclear units. Recent reports confirmed that the aircraft were operational, and Iskanders were on the move. - Paweł Podwig, a Senior Researcher at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, offered reassurance during an interview with the Mediazona portal.

Moreover, the expert highlighted that, contrary to Lukashenko's claims, the involvement of the Belarusian military in these drills seems nominal. According to Podwig, the entire nuclear arsenal in this region will be controlled by unit 12 of the Main Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defense. Belarusian forces will transport nuclear munitions to their assigned destinations.

Lukashenko portrays himself as if he has full autonomy over these initiatives. We cannot provide precise details. It's unclear who is directing what and where, but one should approach such statements with skepticism, the expert added.

Podwig mentioned that such drills typically do not involve live nuclear ammunition. Nonetheless, he highlighted that one cannot categorically rule out such a possibility in Belarus's case. However, it is assumed that any such munitions would be securely stored.