Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced on Tuesday that Belarusian warplanes have been upgraded to carry nuclear weapons, hours before Finland formally joined NATO. Shoigu stated that some Belarusian ground attack aircraft now have the capability to strike enemy targets with nuclear-armed weapons.
Shoigu also confirmed that an Iskander-M missile system, capable of firing conventional or nuclear missiles, has been transferred to Belarusian forces. Belarusian crews began training on the system on April 3, according to the Belarusian defence ministry, which published photos of personnel travelling to Russia for training.
The move follows President Vladimir Putin's announcement on March 25 that Russia would station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Tactical nuclear arms are battlefield weapons with a smaller yield than long-range strategic weapons. Russia is building a special storage facility for these weapons, expected to be completed by July 1.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has expressed readiness to host strategic Russian nuclear weapons if necessary. The Kremlin warned that Finland's NATO accession would force Russia to take counter-measures, with Shoigu saying it risks a significant expansion of the conflict in Ukraine.
Russia and Finland share a 1,300-km border, and Moscow has already announced plans to reinforce military divisions in its western and northwestern regions. Shoigu insisted that Finland's membership would not affect the outcome of Russia's 'special military operation' in Ukraine.
