Belarus has begun checks on its army's readiness to deploy tactical nuclear weapons, state media reported on Tuesday (7), simultaneously with preparations for a nuclear exercise carried out by Russia.
State news agency Belta quoted Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin as saying that President Alexander Lukashenko ordered a surprise inspection of the forces in charge of this weaponry.
During the inspection, “the entire range of activities, from planning, preparing and using attacks with tactical nuclear weapons, will be checked,” Khrenin explained.
The checks involved an Iskander missile division and a squadron of Su-25 aircraft, he added.
Lukashenko said in April that “several dozen” Russian tactical nuclear weapons had been installed in Belarus under a deal announced last year by him and President Vladimir Putin to deter the West.
Tactical nuclear weapons are designed for battlefield use, as opposed to strategic warheads, which are designed to destroy entire enemy cities.
Russia said on Monday (6) that it would carry out a military exercise with tactical nuclear weapons, after what Moscow said were threats from France, Britain and the United States.
A spokesman for Ukrainian military intelligence stressed that Kiev saw nothing new in the exercise, as “nuclear blackmail is a constant practice of the Putin regime.”
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
