Russia has launched nuclear war games in Belarus, deploying Iskander-M missiles close to the European Union's border. The exercises, which began on May 18, involve strategic missile forces, naval fleets, and long-range aviation, according to Russia's defence ministry. Ukraine has responded by reinforcing its northern border, while NATO has issued a stark warning about the consequences of any nuclear attack.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Russia knows any nuclear strike would provoke a devastating reaction. Previous nuclear threats by Russia during its war in Ukraine have led to direct warnings from allied intelligence services to Russian generals, who were told in graphic terms they would not survive any nuclear escalation.
Belarus's defence ministry claimed the drills are not intended to threaten any nation, but are aimed at improving personnel training and verifying equipment readiness. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of trying to draw Belarus deeper into the conflict, noting that Russia is considering operations against Ukraine or NATO countries from Belarusian territory.
The exercises involve 64,000 personnel, over 7,800 pieces of equipment, and more than 200 missile-launch systems. Iskander-M missiles deployed in Belarus could potentially reach targets in Kyiv, as well as NATO members Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. Ukraine has deployed forces to protect its northern flank, recalling the route Russia used in its failed 2022 assault on Kyiv.
