The Russian Defense Ministry announced that the Russian Armed Forces are conducting exercises on the preparation and use of nuclear forces under the threat of aggression from May 19 to 21.
As part of the exercises, ballistic and cruise missiles are scheduled to be launched “at test sites on the territory of the Russian Federation,” according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defense and reported by Russian agencies, including Interfax.
The Ministry of Defense also reported that work will be done on the issues of joint preparation and use of nuclear weapons located on the territory of Belarus.
The Ministry of Defense said in a statement that the exercises will involve approximately 65,000 military personnel, more than 200 missile launchers, more than 140 aircraft, 73 surface ships and 13 submarines, including eight strategic missile submarines.
The previous day, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense announced the start of unit exercises on combat use of nuclear weapons and nuclear support, during which, among other things, it is planned to work on “issues of delivery of nuclear weapons and their preparation for use” with the Russian side. Russia has announced that it will deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus in 2023, saying that does not violate the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Last September, Russia and Belarus conducted the Zapad 2025 exercise, which included, among other things, training on planning the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons. During the exercises, Poland closed its borders with Belarus.