Belarus training forces to deploy Russian nuclear weapons
Belarusian forces began exercises with Russian cooperation on deploying tactical nuclear missiles Moscow stationed in the country since 2023. The drills, emphasizing stealth and rapid movement, come as Belarus shares borders with three NATO states.
May 18th 2026 · Belarus
Belarus announced on Monday, May 18, 2026, that it had begun training its armed forces on how to deploy Russian nuclear weapons that Moscow has stationed in the country. The Belarusian Defense Ministry stated that the exercises, conducted in cooperation with the Russian side, included practicing the delivery and preparation of nuclear munitions for use, with the goal of testing military readiness to deploy the weapons across different areas of the country. The ministry said the exercises emphasized stealth, movement over significant distances, and calculations for the use of forces and equipment. The stated aims of the training were to improve personnel proficiency, test the Airborne Forces' readiness to carry out their tasks, and organize combat operations from unplanned areas. Belarusian authorities emphasized that the exercises were not directed against any other state and did not pose security threats in the region. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko agreed in 2023, a year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, to host Russian tactical nuclear missiles. Belarus shares borders with Russia, Ukraine, and three NATO member states. Russian President Vladimir Putin has made clear that Moscow retains control of the nuclear weapons deployed in Belarus. The Kremlin dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's warning that Russia was considering an attack on a NATO country from Belarus, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling the allegation an attempt to escalate the situation.