Russia has allegedly deployed nuclear warheads to Belarus for joint military exercises involving nuclear forces, the Belarus Defense Ministry said on May 21.
Belarus announced on May 18 the start of military exercises involving nuclear weapons, in what appears to run counter to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The treaty prohibits nuclear-weapon states from transferring control of nuclear weapons to non-nuclear-weapon states, and bars non-nuclear-weapon signatories from accepting such control.
Belarus's Defense Ministry released videos on May 21 showing what it said were heavy equipment allegedly carrying nuclear warheads through a forest, ballistic missile submarines heading to sea training areas, and personnel mounting missiles on aircraft launchers.
The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify whether Russia has deployed nuclear weapons to Belarus for exercises or any other purpose.
Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti reported that Iskander-M ballistic missiles "equipped with special munitions" have already been deployed during military exercises in Belarus.
