Belarus and Russia Conduct Joint Nuclear Weapons Drills, Drawing Condemnation from Ukraine and NATO
Belarus and Russia conducted joint military exercises involving the combat use of nuclear weapons on May 18, 2026. The drills, which included training on delivering nuclear weapons from unprepared areas across Belarus, were condemned by Ukraine and NATO as a threat to regional security and a legitimization of nuclear proliferation. The exercises followed warnings from Ukrainian President Zelensky of potential attacks from Belarusian territory.
Where Sources Diverge
The the-hindu and straits-times reported that the drills were not directed against any other state and did not pose security threats in the region, while other sources like dw and scmp highlighted the concerns from Ukraine and NATO.
The training was not directed against any other State and did not pose security threats in the region.
The drills would test its readiness to deploy nuclear weapons. Ukraine decried the exercise as Russia 'de facto legitimising the proliferation of nuclear weapons worldwide.'
Belarus said on Monday its armed forces had begun training exercises involving Russian nuclear weapons, in a move that drew strong condemnation from Ukraine.
The dw and scmp sources mentioned that Belarus and Russia are conducting drills involving Russian nuclear weapons, while the anadolu and tass sources focused on the military exercise itself without explicitly mentioning nuclear weapons.
Belarus launches drills involving Russian nuclear weapons
Belarus, Russia hold drills on combat use of nuclear weapons
A key feature of the exercise is to check the preparedness of troops for accomplishing the tasks of combat use from unprepared areas across the entire territory of the republic
Sources
Russia and Belarus conducted joint nuclear exercises on Monday as Kyiv warned Moscow was preparing a new offensive from Belarusian territory against Ukraine or NATO.
The Belarusian Defense Ministry said the drills would test its readiness to deploy nuclear weapons. Ukraine decried the exercise as Russia "de facto legitimising the proliferation of nuclear weapons worldwide."
Strong reactions from Ukraine and NATO allies as Belarusian and Russian forces train to use nuclear weapons.
Belarus said on Monday its armed forces had begun training exercises involving Russian nuclear weapons, in a move that drew strong condemnation from Ukraine. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko agreed in 2023 – a year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – to host Russian tactical nuclear missiles. Russian President Vladimir Putin has made clear that Moscow retains control of their use. “During the training, in cooperation with the Russian side, it is planned to practise the delivery of...
Moscow and Minsk held joint military drills to practice using Russian nuclear weapons, the Belarus defence ministry said on Monday. Russia deployed nuclear-capable hypersonic missiles to its western neighbour last year, and in 2024 released revised doctrine placing Belarus under its nuclear umbrella.
Belarus starts nuclear drills with Russia days after Zelensky warns of attacks on Ukraine, NATO The Kyiv Independent
Belarus Starts Nuclear Drills With Russia After Kyiv’s Warnings Bloomberg.com
Belarus, Russia hold drills on combat use of nuclear weapons Anadolu Ajansı
The Defence Ministry said the training was not directed against any other State and did not pose security threats in the region
According to the statement, a key feature of the exercise is to check the preparedness of troops for accomplishing the tasks of combat use from unprepared areas across the entire territory of the republic
Belarus holds nuclear weapons drills, defence ministry says The Straits Times