Vladimir Putin has said Belarus will join Russia in the second stage of exercises to test the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons – or tactical nukes – as tensions with NATO explode.
In the second stage, Belarusian forces will join in the “joint actions; corresponding instructions have been given to the Ministries of Defense and General Staffs”, according to a post on Telegram.
Last week, Putin ordered the Russian Ministry of Defence to carry out exercises on the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons – or tactical nukes – as tensions between Moscow and NATO explode.
Russian media quoted the Ministry as stating: “On instructions from the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, in order to increase the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces to carry out combat missions, the General Staff has begun preparations for holding exercises in the near future with missile formations of the Southern Military District with the involvement of aviation, as well as naval forces.”
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