Moscow: Russia has stepped up its nuclear military exercises by transferring nuclear related munitions to neighbouring Belarus as part of large scale drills that have drawn close attention from Western countries and NATO allies.
The Russian Defence Ministry said the exercises involved tens of thousands of troops and several advanced nuclear capable weapons systems. Officials described the drills as part of efforts to strengthen the security of Russia and Belarus at a time of rising tensions with the West over the ongoing war in Ukraine.
According to Russian authorities, the military exercises included around 64,000 soldiers, more than 200 missile launchers, over 140 aircraft, dozens of naval vessels and several submarines. The drills featured some of Russia’s most powerful missile systems, including Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles, Zircon hypersonic missiles and Kinzhal missiles carried by MiG 31 fighter aircraft.
A major focus of the exercise was the transfer of nuclear related equipment and munitions into Belarus. Russian officials did not clearly state whether live nuclear warheads were involved, and military experts believe some of the materials used may have been training versions. However, the movement itself has raised concern among Western governments because it highlights the growing military partnership between Moscow and Minsk.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the exercises were necessary to protect the sovereignty and stability of the Russia Belarus Union State. He said Russia would continue modernising its nuclear forces but insisted that nuclear weapons would only be used in extreme situations as a last resort.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has strongly supported closer military cooperation with Moscow since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict. In 2023, Russia announced the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, marking the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union that Russian nuclear arms had been stationed outside Russian territory.
The latest drills come as relations between Russia and NATO remain highly tense. Western countries have continued military support for Ukraine while increasing defence preparedness across Eastern Europe. NATO members bordering Russia and Belarus have also strengthened security measures in recent months due to fears of possible escalation.
Russia recently updated its nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for potential nuclear use under certain circumstances. Under the revised policy, Moscow stated that a conventional attack supported by a nuclear armed country could be treated as a broader strategic threat. Military analysts believe this change is aimed partly at discouraging Western nations from increasing direct involvement in the Ukraine war.
The exercises also took place against the background of rising tensions in the Baltic region. Russian officials accused some Baltic countries of helping Ukraine carry out drone attacks on Russian territory. Moscow also reacted sharply to recent comments from Lithuanian officials regarding the heavily militarised Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.
International observers say the current military activity reflects how nuclear signalling has become a central part of the wider confrontation between Russia and the West. Many experts believe Moscow is using these exercises both as military preparation and as a political message to NATO countries.
Ukraine has also been closely monitoring developments in Belarus because of concerns that the northern border could again become an area of military pressure. Although Belarus has not directly entered the war, its territory has been used by Russian forces during different stages of the conflict.
As the war in Ukraine continues with no clear end in sight, global concern is growing over the increasing use of nuclear rhetoric and military demonstrations. Diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions have so far produced little progress, while both Russia and Western nations continue to strengthen their military positions.