In the midst of simmering tensions between Russia and the West over Moscow’s conflict in Ukraine, the Russian envoy to Belarus said Sunday that Russian tactical nuclear weapons would be stationed near to Belarus’ borders with NATO nations.
After a recent announcement by Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding intentions to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Russia’s neighbor and friend, Ambassador Boris Gryzlov made the remark. The declaration was yet another effort by the Russian president to use the nuclear option as leverage to convince the West not to back Ukraine.
Putin has said that the building of tactical nuclear weapon storage facilities in Belarus would be finished by July 1 and noted that Russia has assisted Belarus in modernizing its jets so they can carry nuclear bombs.
According to their agreement, the two neighbors would have strong economic, political, and military relations. Russia has had a personnel and weapon presence in Belarus since using it as a staging area for an invasion of Ukraine.
Gryzlov said that the Russian nuclear weapons would be “moved up near to the Western boundary of our union state” in statements that were carried late Sunday by Belarusian state television, although he did not specify a specific place.
In response to Western criticism of Putin’s choice, he remarked, “It will strengthen our military capacity, and it will be done regardless of all the commotion in Europe and the United States.”
The border between Belarus and NATO countries Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland is 1,250 kilometers (778 miles).
Nuclear warheads attached to long-range strategic missiles, which may destroy whole cities, have a far longer range and a lot higher yield than tactical nuclear weapons, which are designed to eliminate enemy soldiers and weaponry on the battlefield.
Russian tactical nuclear weapons would be closer to possible targets in Ukraine and NATO allies in Eastern and Central Europe if they were moved to Belarus.
Alexander Lukashenko, the autocratic president of Belarus, stated on Friday that a portion of Russia’s tactical nuclear arsenal as well as some of its strategic nuclear weapons may be sent to Belarus.
