The Belarusian army, together with Russian forces, has begun drills practicing the use of nuclear weapons, according to the Belarusian Ministry of Defense. The exercises come amid statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about Russia’s attempts to further draw Belarus into the war against Ukraine.
According to him, there are ongoing contacts between Moscow and Minsk regarding possible joint military actions and the opening of new threat directions, including toward the northern regions of Ukraine.
Belarus and Russia practice deployment of nuclear warheads
The purpose of the training is to improve personnel readiness, check the combat capability of military equipment, and practice the use of weapons from non-standard deployment areas, the Belarusian Defense Ministry says.
“For the exercise, units of the missile forces and aviation are being involved,” the statement reads.
During the exercises, Belarusian and Russian forces are expected to practice the delivery of nuclear warheads and preparation for their potential use.
Minsk says exercises are not directed against other states
The Belarusian Defense Ministry states that the drills are planned and conducted within the framework of allied obligations with Russia.
Officials in Minsk also claimed the exercises are not directed against any other countries and do not pose a threat to regional security.
The drills reportedly focus on concealment, long-distance movement, and calculation procedures for the use of forces and equipment.
Oreshnik deployment
This is the first announced Belarus–Russia nuclear exercise since the Oreshnik entered service in the country in December 2025.
The system is intermediate-range and nuclear-capable, and Belarus borders NATO members Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.
Russia used the system two times against Ukraine. The first one hit Dnipro city, and the second Lviv Oblast.
The last one took place just two days after Ukraine’s Western allies formalized their intentions on security guarantees for Ukraine in the Paris Declaration and conveyed the peace plan to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
