Russia and Belarus launch second phase of nuclear exercises

Russia and its ally Belarus have begun a new phase of joint nuclear exercises, the second of three planned tests.

The two militaries deployed fighter jets and tanks in an exercise aimed at showing the world the preparedness of their military partnership.

For Minsk, the exercises were a way to “strengthen our readiness to use so-called retaliatory weapons,” Belarusian Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Viktor Khrenin said as the second phase approached.

Although it is not directly involved in the invasion of Ukraine and does not possess nuclear weapons, Belarus has hosted some of Russia's tactical nuclear arsenals on its territory since last year.

Commenting on the exercises, the Russian Defense Ministry said Moscow was “constantly improving its defense capabilities” to protect its sovereignty.

Since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, President Vladimir Putin has frequently threatened the West with nuclear weapons if Russian territory is attacked.

Analysts say Moscow's nuclear saber rattling is being used as a tool to deter Western powers from allowing Ukraine to strike targets on Russian territory with their weapons.

Tactical nuclear weapons are less powerful than conventional nuclear weapons and can be used on the battlefield, even in close proximity to friendly forces.

Many believe that Moscow considers that the potential use of these weapons would be a shock but could not lead to outright nuclear war. None of the countries with tactical nuclear weapons in their arsenal have ever used them outside of the testing grounds.

The exercises began just days before the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, scheduled for Saturday.

While around 90 countries were expected to participate, Russia was not invited and Beijing said China would not join.