Expert commented on ongoing nuclear exercises of Belarus’ Armed Forces

On June 12th, the Defence Ministry reported that units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus have begun to carry out combat training tasks as part of the second stage of exercises with non-strategic nuclear forces. All organisational and technical aspects are being worked out in close co-operation with Russian colleagues. Such trainings and working out important issues on the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons are one of the ways to increase Belarus’ combat readiness and potential. In his talk with Alfa Radio, political scientist Yuri Shevtsov, the Director of the Centre for European Integration, explained why Russia and Belarus need to keep their powder dry.

According to Yuri Shevtsov, a very difficult military situation has been created around Belarus.

“During the current year, NATO members have conducted a series of military drills that boil down into one picture: the concentration of troops on the border with Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Ultimately, they concentrate about 300,000 troops. Moreover, there is a systemic concentration: not just the transfer of manpower to the East, which can then be withdrawn back, but the construction of warehouses and various other actions. All this goes hand in hand with the increase in the number of armies. To some extent, militarisation is taking place in those countries that are located in the east of NATO. In addition, it is expected that NATO will provide quite a lot of aircraft to Ukraine. Moreover, some of these aircraft will be based on the territory of NATO member states, primarily in Romania and Poland. This means that Russia is likely to react to this.

Therefore, the expert explained that some kind of deterrent is needed so that all these reactions and escalations of the confrontation between NATO and Russia do not reach WWIII. Tactical nuclear weapons are precisely such a deterrent.

“As soon as nuclear weapons appeared in Belarus, it meant that we strive to prevent a strike on our territory by NATO in any form,” Mr. Shevtsov added. “In the West, they publicly discuss anything: the invasion of Belarus’ territory by opposition armed units, the deployment of troops, and much more. So tactical nuclear weapons pose a threat primarily to the NATO countries adjacent to the borders of Belarus, enabling us to restrain them.”

The political analyst also noted a diplomatic moment regarding the possible use of nuclear weapons. According to him, various options for overthrowing Russian President Vladimir Putin are being actively discussed in the West, and the conditions under which NATO and Ukraine would like to end the war with Russia are also known. They include the elimination of Russia’s nuclear potential, the split of the country, reparations, etc. As Yuri Shevtsov noted, the only thing that scares the West is the spread of Russia’s nuclear potential.

“So, today, the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus is not just its placement. Russia has provided Belarus with the opportunity to have the means of delivering such weapons,” Yuri Shevtsov added. “Russia has equipped some Belarusian military aircraft with the ability to carry bombs, made it possible for Belarus to receive and train crews, maintain various complexes that are capable of carrying nuclear weapons. This means that it has been demonstrated to the world that if NATO goes on a coup in Moscow, the spread of nuclear weapons will happen instantly. Belarus has both means of delivery, storage facilities, and trained units of the Armed Forces capable of using these weapons. This is a diplomatic fact, not a military one, but it is of paramount importance.”