Russia and Belarus are conducting joint nuclear exercises to simulate responses in the event that the two countries face "invasion" actions, according to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The exercise took place from May 19 to May 21 with the participation of many important strategic forces of Russia.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said that participating units include the Strategic Missile Forces, the Northern Fleet, the Pacific Fleet, the Strategic Air Force Command and military components in central and northwestern Russia.
According to published figures, about 64,000 Russian soldiers participated in the exercise along with 7,800 military vehicles, 200 missile launchers, 140 aircraft, 73 warships and 13 submarines. Among the submarines, there are 8 strategic missile-carrying ships.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said that the exercise content includes activities "preparing coordination for the use of nuclear weapons deployed in Belarus". This is a rare time Moscow has announced details of the scale of forces participating in a nuclear exercise with a close ally.
Previously, Belarus issued a notice about this exercise. Minsk has been storing Russian nuclear weapons since 2023. Russia and Belarus believe that this deployment is similar to how the US deploys part of its nuclear arsenal in NATO member states.
NATO currently has 3 countries possessing nuclear weapons. This year, France once proposed gradually expanding its "nuclear zone" to other European Union countries, in the context of the US military commitment to NATO being questioned under President Donald Trump.
Washington has also canceled plans to deploy Tomahawk missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads to Germany, and demanded a reduction in military presence in this country. The move is said to be in response to criticism from Berlin regarding the war with Iran.
