Russia and Belarus launch massive nuclear weapon drills ‘with 64,000 soldiers’

Russia and Belarus have triggered concern with a mammoth nuclear weapon exercise on NATO’s doorstep.

Belarus, a staunch Russian ally, announced the start of the drills yesterday focused on Russian nuclear weapons.

The country led by president Alexander Lukashenko has previously given the green light to hosting Russian tactical nuclear weapons, which it agreed to one year after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Belarusian defence ministry said: ‘During the training, in ​cooperation with the Russian side, it is planned to practise the delivery of ⁠nuclear munitions and their preparation for use.’

It said the joint exercises are not directed at any specific third party, but the action has been criticised by Ukraine.

The three-day exercise will involve over 64,000 personnel and 7,800 units of equipment, Russian state-owned news agency TASS reports.

This includes 200 missile launchers, 140 aircraft, 73 surface ships and 13 submarines.

Belarus, one of the few allies of international pariah Russia, is flanked by NATO members Latvia, Lithuania and Poland to its west, and Ukraine to its south.

The country is gripped by economical downturn, and it is heavily dependent on Russia through subsidies, security and political support.

Ukrainian president Volodomyr Zelensky accused Russia last week of involving Belarus deeper into the war in Ukraine.

He hinted that Belarus could be used to launch attacks in Ukraine, which Kremlin has denied.

Ukraine’s foreign ministry said: ‘By turning Belarus into its nuclear staging ground near NATO borders, the Kremlin is de facto legitimising the proliferation of nuclear weapons worldwide and setting a dangerous precedent for other authoritarian regimes.’

The war exercise follows a tense week between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukraine carried out sweeping drone attacks in Moscow as it breached the country’s air defences on Sunday.

The attacks are said to have killed at least three people and left several more injured, according to Russian officials.

Last week, the Russian military targeted Kyiv with drones and missiles, killing 24 people.

In September last year, Russia and Belarus joined up in a show of force during the Zapad military exercises, mobilising up to 100,000 personnel across 41 training grounds.

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