After Russia, Belarus suddenly inspected tactical nuclear weapons

(Dan Tri) – Belarus has begun testing the military’s readiness to deploy tactical nuclear weapons.

Russia has deployed tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory (Photo: Reuters).

Belta news agency quoted Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin on May 7 as saying that President Alexander Lukashenko had directed an unexpected inspection of the country’s forces in charge of tactical nuclear weapons.

According to Mr. Khrenin, during the inspection, `the entire operational process from planning, preparation and use of attacks with tactical nuclear weapons will be examined.`

This operation included inspection of an Iskander missile unit and a squadron of Su-25 aircraft.

President Lukashenko said last month that dozens of Russian tactical nuclear weapons had been deployed on Belarusian territory according to an agreement late last year between him and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Tactical nuclear weapons are designed to be smaller and used at close ranges, unlike strategic nuclear weapons, which are used to attack strategic targets at long ranges.

Belarus – a Russian ally – has a 1,250km long border with NATO member countries Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

Belarus’ move took place not long after the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on May 7 that President Putin had ordered a tactical nuclear exercise to be conducted in the near future.

Moscow explained that the exercise was a response to recent `provocative` statements by France, Britain and the United States.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the exercises will help NATO realize the potentially catastrophic consequences of the strategic risks they create, and prevent them from both supporting Ukraine in attacking Russia and being manipulated.

Responding to Russia’s nuclear exercise plan, the US and NATO said they would closely monitor all of Moscow’s moves.

NATO spokesman Farah Dakhlallah called Russia’s move `dangerous`.