Russia, Belarus begin joint nuclear drills

Russia and Belarus carried out joint nuclear drills this week, with the final phase shown in official footage published on May 21 by the two countries’ defense ministries. The exercise brought together Russian strategic forces and Belarusian units practicing the handling and delivery of nuclear weapons that Moscow says it has deployed on Belarusian territory. Russian state media and ministry channels circulated video of missile systems, transport vehicles and launch crews as Presidents Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko monitored the drills by video link, according to state-backed and independent reports. The exercise began on May 18, when Belarus’s Defense Ministry said it had launched joint drills with Russia to improve readiness to use “modern means of destruction, including special ammunition.” Belarus said missile units and warplanes were involved and that one feature of the exercise was operating from “unplanned” positions across the country. (apnews.com) ### When did the joint drill start, and what did each side say? Belarus’s Defense Ministry announced the start of the exercise on May 18, saying it was being held with Russia and would rehearse the delivery of nuclear weapons and preparations for their use. Russia’s Defense Ministry then said on May 19 that a broader three-day strategic nuclear drill would run from May 19 to May 21 and would include the “joint preparation and use of nuclear weapons” stationed in Belarus. (kyivindependent.com) May 21 footage released by Russian and Belarusian official channels appeared to show the final stage of that plan. State-backed reports said the presidents watched by video link as crews from missile, air and naval units took part. ### What exactly did Russia say happened inside Belarus? Russia’s Defense Ministry said on May 21 that troops had delivered “nuclear munitions” to field storage facilities in Belarus as part of the drills. (kyivindependent.com) Reuters, cited in later pickups, reported that the ministry described the move as part of the final day of the exercise. Independent outlets citing the same ministry statement said the munitions were taken to the positional area of a missile brigade in Belarus. (meduza.io) Belarusian officials said their side practiced with missile units and aircraft capable of carrying such weapons. Reports on May 21 said simulated Iskander launches were part of the Belarus segment, while Russia’s wider drill also involved land, sea and air-based strategic forces. ### Which systems and forces were shown in the public material? (msn.com) Russian Defense Ministry footage published on May 21 showed Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launchers moving through forested areas, according to Associated Press and other outlets carrying the handout images. Separate Belarus-linked footage and reporting around the exercise focused on Iskander systems, which Moscow has previously transferred to Belarus and which can carry non-strategic nuclear warheads. (euromaidanpress.com) The broader Russian drill also included submarines leaving Arctic and Pacific bases and bomber crews scrambling, according to Associated Press reporting on the final phase. That placed the Belarus component inside a larger Russian strategic-forces exercise rather than as a stand-alone Belarus-only event. ### Why is Belarus central to this exercise? (military.com) Belarus has become the main foreign site for Russia’s forward-deployed nuclear posture since Moscow said it stationed tactical, or non-strategic, nuclear weapons there. Reports this week said Russia had already moved nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles to Belarus and had earlier transferred Iskander systems that can serve as delivery vehicles. (apnews.com) Belarus borders Ukraine and NATO members Poland, Latvia and Lithuania. That geography has made Belarus a recurring reference point in both Russian deterrence messaging and Western reporting on the exercises. ### What comes next after the footage released on May 21? Russia said the exercise lasted three days and ended on May 21, with the final phase involving strategic forces across land, sea and air. (france24.com) Any next official details are likely to come from the Russian and Belarusian defense ministries, which have been releasing the videos, statements and handout imagery tied to the drill. (apnews.com) (halifax.citynews.ca)