Official statements from the Ministries of Defense of Belarus and Russia

Belarus, Russia to Conduct Joint Tactical Nuclear Drills, Putin Downplays Concerns

May 9, 2024, 11:17 AM

Belarus and Russia have announced plans to conduct joint tactical nuclear drills, emphasizing the testing of carriers capable of deploying nuclear strike capabilities. The exercises aim to verify the effectiveness of tactical nuclear weapons carriers, with Belarus joining Russia in the second stage of these exercises. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko have instructed their respective Ministries of Defense and General Staffs to coordinate the drills. Putin remarked that there is 'nothing unusual' about these exercises, framing them as a routine part of military cooperation between the two nations.