Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko just ran a joint nuclear drill over video call. The kind of meeting where “can you see my screen” carries a slightly different weight.
The Russian and Belarusian leaders oversaw large-scale tactical nuclear exercises involving dual-capable missile and aviation systems, including the Iskander-M missile platform and nuclear-capable aircraft stationed across both countries. The drills focused specifically on the preparation and deployment of tactical nuclear weapons, a category of shorter-range, lower-yield warheads designed for battlefield use rather than intercontinental strikes.
What the drills actually involved
These weren’t abstract tabletop simulations. The exercises utilized real military hardware positioned on Belarusian territory, where Russian tactical nuclear warheads have been stationed since 2023.
Lukashenko confirmed the arrival of those warheads that year, claiming they are “three times more powerful than Hiroshima and Nagasaki.” Whether that specific comparison holds up to independent verification is another matter, but the messaging is clearly designed for maximum psychological impact.
