The joint training of the nuclear forces of the Belarusian and Russian armies, despite being planned in nature, is simply necessary in the current geopolitical environment, said Igor Korol, an analyst at the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies and a military expert, in an interview with RIA Novosti.
On Monday, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense reported that a training exercise involving military units responsible for the combat use of nuclear weapons and nuclear support had begun. In cooperation with the Russian side, the exercise is expected to cover the delivery of nuclear munitions and their preparation for use. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that exercises on the preparation and deployment of nuclear forces under conditions of a potential threat of aggression were being conducted in the Russian Armed Forces from May 19 to May 21. On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexandr Lukashenko held a nuclear forces exercise via video link in accordance with the joint armed forces training plan.
"Although these are planned exercises, their conduct in the current geopolitical situation is simply necessary, even if they had not been included in the plan," the analyst said.
He called for viewing the joint nuclear forces exercises "as part of the broader set of measures currently being undertaken by both the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, as well as in the context of all the events taking place around the world."
"Quite recently, the Russian Federation tested its new heavy intercontinental ballistic missile, Sarmat. The test was successful. Shortly afterward, the United States announced that it was conducting a test launch of its Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile as part of maintaining the readiness of its nuclear forces. According to their statement, the training launch was also successful," the agency's interlocutor noted.
Korol also pointed out that the United States continues to conduct training exercises involving its nuclear forces, including flights of strategic bombers into European airspace, the execution of maneuvers, and operations reaching launch areas and positions for nuclear-armed cruise missiles.
The analyst also noted that, at the same time, the European neighbors of Belarus and Russia are increasingly discussing the deployment of nuclear weapons—primarily French nuclear weapons—on the territories of Poland and the Baltic states.
"There are also individual statements suggesting that Germany should reconsider its nuclear doctrine," he continued.
Therefore, as Korol emphasized, the training on the preparation and use of tactical nuclear weapons by the Belarusian armed forces, together with the large-scale exercise currently underway in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, is more relevant than ever.
"Of course, our neighbors should not worry too much. They always worry and are concerned about everything we do. However, they should correctly interpret the signals that are being indirectly sent by both the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus: there is no need to wake, so to speak, the bear in its den," Korol said. He explained that the response to aggressive actions "could be absolutely devastating for them."
"That is why we conduct training exercises and inspections of the forces at our disposal," the analyst said. He also noted that Belarusian President and Commander-in-Chief Alexander Lukashenko personally visited a missile brigade of the armed forces equipped with modern Iskander-M missile systems and currently participating in the tactical nuclear weapons training exercise.
"He visited the brigade's command post and looked into the eyes of those people who, if necessary, would be directly responsible for employing this terrible and powerful weapon, in order to personally ensure that none of them would falter and that they would be capable of carrying out their assigned mission," the expert said.
He stressed that this should once again demonstrate to opponents that Belarus, the Russian Federation, and the Union State will stop at nothing to ensure independence, sovereignty, and the security of their citizens.
"If there is a threat of the destruction of the state, the loss of sovereignty, or if massive missile attacks, especially involving nuclear weapons, are carried out, a retaliatory strike will follow without any delay," Korol concluded.
Joint Belarusian-Russian Nuclear Force Exercises Should Be Conducted Regularly
Joint exercises of the nuclear forces of Belarus and Russia should be conducted on a permanent basis, Igor Korol, an analyst at the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies and a military expert, told RIA Novosti.
On Monday, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense reported that training had begun for military units responsible for the combat use of nuclear weapons and nuclear support. In cooperation with the Russian side, the exercises are intended to practice the delivery of nuclear munitions and their preparation for use. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that exercises on the preparation and employment of nuclear forces under conditions of a threat of aggression were being conducted in the Russian Armed Forces from May 19 to May 21. On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexandr Lukashenko conducted nuclear-force exercises via video link in accordance with the joint armed forces training plan.
"They must be conducted on a permanent basis," the expert said regarding the joint Belarusian-Russian nuclear-force exercises. He noted that the Belarusian army only recently adopted special (nuclear) munitions into service.
"A comprehensive set of measures was carried out to prepare both military units and storage facilities, weapons, and military equipment for their use. In fact, the Republic of Belarus fully completed all these measures last year and achieved full readiness for the employment of special munitions. However, training is necessary in order to maintain these skills," Korol said.
He emphasized the importance of high-quality personnel training. "After all, as our Commander-in-Chief says, the main factor is not the hardware we possess, but the people who know how to use these most complex weapons," the agency's source stressed. He explained that today not even the most advanced high-tech weapon systems can accomplish their missions without human involvement.
"The operator at the command post determines targets, assigns combat missions, and oversees their execution. Only a properly trained crew can ensure deployment to the designated area, delivery of strike assets, installation on launch platforms, and their actual use," the analyst stated.
"Therefore, these exercises should be conducted on a regular basis and serve as a reminder to our adversaries that we possess these weapons and are preparing to use them if necessary. However, we have no intention of attacking anyone first, despite what Mr. Zelensky is currently saying through various Ukrainian propaganda channels," Korol emphasized.
He noted that such weapons would be used only in exceptional circumstances, specifically in the event of a threat to the sovereignty and independence of Belarus, Russia, and the Union State as a whole.
"This is provided for by our joint military doctrine, our joint security documents, including Russia's nuclear doctrine," Korol concluded.
Source: RIA Novosti