Putin’s defence ministry said: “The personnel of the missile unit of the Republic of Belarus are performing training-combat tasks for receiving special warheads for the Iskander-M operational-tactical missile complex, equipping the carrier missiles, and covertly advancing to the designated area to prepare for launches.
Belarus’ defence ministry said: “After the missiles had been loaded onto the launchers, the transport and loading vehicles moved covertly to a new area.
“Once there, the missile unit carried out simulated missile launches at designated targets.”
Footage showed the Iskander-M missiles on the launchers, which potentially puts NATO states Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland at risk, as well as Ukraine.
Warplanes also practised bombings with nuclear munitions against mock targets before returning to base”, as Russian forces practised bringing nuclear combat units to the highest alert state”.
The exercise, which runs until today, involves over 200 missile launchers, 140 aircraft, 73 surface ships, and 13 submarines, according to a post on Telegram.
The exercises will focus on the readiness and use of nuclear weapons deployed in Belarus. The Strategic Missile Forces and long-range aviation will participate in the exercises.
Belarusian people have been banned from entering forests near the borders with Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine during these drills.
