Lukashenko, Putin discussed training on use of non-strategic nuclear weapons
The presidents of Belarus and Russia, Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin, held a bilateral meeting in Moscow on the eve of the May 9th holiday, during which issues of conducting training on the use of nuclear weapons were discussed
Answering a corresponding question from a journalist, Vladimir Putin noted, “Since non-strategic nuclear weapons are stationed on the territory of Belarus, this time we invited our friends, our allies – and the President of Belarus asked for this – to take part in one of the stages of these manoeuvres. We conduct them regularly. This time they are carried out in three stages. Belarusian colleagues will join us at the second stage, with the corresponding instructions already given to the defence ministries and general staffs.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko clarified, “We spent the first stage, so to say, separately. However, yesterday we decided to synchronise and conduct the second and third stages together. Vladimir Putin correctly underlined that this is not the first time. This is our third training session. There were dozens of them in Russia. That’s why we synchronise. As the Russian Defence Minister said that the two countries’ general staffs have already begun to fulfil the assigned tasks.”
“There’s nothing unusual here. It’s a planned work,” Vladimir Putin added.
As previously reported, Aleksandr Lukashenko, speaking at a solemn meeting on the occasion of Victory Day in Minsk on May 7th, stressed that amid the constantly increasing military activity in Europe, a set of measures is being taken to adequately respond to the aggravation of the situation. In particular, the general staffs of the Armed Forces of Belarus and Russia have envisaged an inspection of forces and means of a joint regional group of troops, within which it is planned for the first time to work out the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons.
“Missile divisions of the Iskander operational and tactical complexes and domestically-produced Polonez multiple launch rocket systems will be secretly brought to designated positions to work out the issues of launching missile strikes to repel a possible attack on Belarus. At the same time, aviation military units will prepare Su-25 combat jets for actions with special munitions to support the defending troops and inflict unacceptable damage on the enemy, which I spoke about during the Belarusian People’s Congress. Tomorrow [on May 8th] we’ll discuss joint co-ordination, testing and use of our troops with those of Russia, the use of special munitions and make final decisions… I would especially note that the inspection is exclusively of defensive character. It is aimed to ensure the readiness of Belarusian military units to work with special munitions, as well as to adjust the mechanisms of troop command and the interaction of the Union State government bodies,” the President of Belarus asserted.
