Russia has increased its influence on Belarus following nuclear exercises – ISW
ISW прокоментував мету спільних ядерних навчань РФ та Білорусі / Фото з відкритих джерел
Russia and Belarus completed joint nuclear exercises on May 21, during which they practiced the delivery of munitions, missile launches, and the overturning of missile systems.
This demonstrates Russia’s influence on Belarus and the possibility of involving the country in future Russian military operations.
The Institute for the Study of War reports this.
According to experts, on May 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko took part in the second stage of the exercises.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian troops delivered nuclear weapons to Belarus, while Belarusian military personnel practiced receiving, equipping, and transporting specialized munitions and launchers for the Iskander-M ballistic missile system.
It was also reported that during the exercises, a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Plesetsk state test cosmodrome, a Zircon hypersonic missile from the Barents Sea, a Sinevaya ICBM from a nuclear submarine, cruise missiles from a Tu-95MS aircraft, a Tu-1 aircraft, and an Iskander-M missile from the Kapustin Yar test site.
ISW experts note that these exercises indicate Russia’s growing influence on Belarus and its involvement in Moscow’s military operations.
Until 2022, Belarus was considered a non-nuclear state, but following constitutional amendments, the country renounced this status, allowing Moscow to expand its military presence on Belarusian territory.
According to analysts, Russia has increasing opportunities to use Belarus as a springboard for deploying its forces to increase pressure on NATO and Ukraine.
In particular, the Russian President stated that he plans to hold another joint exercise, “Union Shield,” in 2027 for joint military training.
Earlier, “Pryamoy” reported that Russia had begun large-scale exercises to prepare for and potentially use nuclear forces. The maneuvers lasted from May 19 to 21.
Belarus also conducted military exercises with Russia , during which they practiced the delivery of nuclear weapons and preparations for their use.
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