Photo: Iskander missile launcher ;
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday, June 11, the start of the second stage of exercises of non-strategic nuclear forces with the participation of Belarus, Radio Liberty reports.
At this stage, the Russian and the Belarusian military must work out issues of joint preparation for the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons, the report says.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that the purpose of the exercises — maintaining the readiness of personnel and equipment in the event of the use of tactical nuclear weapons “in order to unconditionally ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Union State.”
During the first stage of the exercise, which began on May 21, the military practiced the use of Iskander complexes. and their secret movement to the area of missile launches. The Russian military space forces have also worked on equipping them with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. and sorties to patrol areas. Belarus began testing tactical nuclear weapons carriers on May 7.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the holding of exercises of non-strategic nuclear forces on May 6. This instruction was given by President Vladimir Putin — as the military department reported, “in response to provocative statements and threats by certain Western officials against the Russian Federation.”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov then stated that the exercises were provoked recent statements by French President Emmanuel Macron, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and US representatives. At the same time, Peskov spoke of an “unprecedented round of tension.” in connection, in particular, with Macron’s statements about the possibility of sending military personnel from Western countries to Ukraine.
BAGNET notes that non-strategic (or tactical) nuclear weapons – nuclear weapons, the means of delivery of which are missiles of relatively short range and having relatively low power. In particular, tactical nuclear weapons can be used by Iskander missile systems. These weapons were recently deployed in Belarus.
Prepared by: Sergei Daga