Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that the upcoming military exercise, including the simulated deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in southern Russia alongside Belarus, was routine. This comes after Russia announced its intention to conduct such drills following perceived threats from France, Britain, and the United States.
Putin, addressing the matter, emphasized its regularity, stating, "There is nothing unusual here; this is planned work." He reiterated that such exercises are part of training protocols. The Russian defense ministry had earlier tied the nuclear exercise to alleged provocations from certain Western officials against Russia.
Last year, Putin disclosed the transfer of some tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, marking the first instance of such deployment beyond Russia since the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991. He also mentioned suggesting Belarus's participation in one segment of the announced nuclear exercise.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, speaking alongside Putin, confirmed the synchronization of the drills, noting that this was the third such exercise. The specifics regarding the weapons supplied to Belarus and their storage remain unclear, causing uncertainty among arms control experts.
Despite the announcement of the drills, the Pentagon noted that there hadn't been any observable changes in Russia's strategic nuclear forces disposition. Nonetheless, it criticized what it deemed "irresponsible rhetoric" from Moscow regarding exercises involving the deployment of non-strategic nuclear weapons.
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