Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko (Photo: AFP)
Russia has moved tactical nuclear weapons from its border to neighboring Belarus, several hundred miles from NATO territory, as Russian President Vladimir Putin warns of a broader military confrontation with the alliance. if NATO continues to support Ukraine.
The operation was carried out under an agreement that Belarusian President and Russian President Vladimir Putin announced last year, aimed at increasing pressure on NATO’s eastern flank.
The risk of Russia deploying nuclear weapons has been “hanging over the heads of Western leaders since Russia launched a special military campaign in Ukraine. Top US officials believe President Vladimir Putin has floated the possibility of using limited-yield tactical nuclear weapons by 2022.
The delivery of tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus marks one of the westernmost deployment points of the Kremlin’s atomic arsenal. The move of the country’s nuclear weapons carries clear political overtones, but some experts have downplayed the military significance of the move – saying the weapons do not pose a threat. just by moving a few hundred miles closer to NATO territory.
Mr. Rose Gottemoeller, former top US arms control envoy and NATO Deputy Secretary General, said: “The Russians can reach anywhere in NATO with nuclear missiles with what they have on them.” territory. But it doesn’t pose any threat. So it’s purely a political message.”
This is the first time Russia has deployed nuclear missiles abroad since the former Soviet Union.
Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko did not provide information on the number of nuclear weapons but said these were the most modern nuclear weapons, including bombs and missiles.
The Kremlin is believed to have an inventory of nearly 6,000 nuclear warheads, including much smaller warheads, so-called “tactical” nuclear weapons, and high-yield warheads.
Russia deployed Iskander missiles, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, to Belarus in late 2022. Belarus has also become home to some 2,500 to 4,000 members of the Russian paramilitary force known as the Group Wagner, according to Estonian intelligence estimates. Many of those soldiers are stationed at a former Soviet missile base about 50 miles from Minsk.
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