Lukashenko says Belarus now has weapons he once dreamed about
Photo: Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko (Getty Images)
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visited a missile brigade of the country’s armed forces in the Osipovichi district and said that he once "dreamed" of Russian Iskander missile systems, according to the Belarusian state news agency BelTA, the Telegram channel Pul Pervogo, and the Belarusian Defense Ministry.
Lukashenko visits missile brigade
On May 21, Lukashenko arrived at the missile brigade’s base, where he was shown Russian Iskander operational-tactical missile systems.
During the visit, he stated that he had once dreamed of having such weapons, and now Belarus already possesses several of these systems.
According to Lukashenko, the Iskander is an "excellent weapon." He also inspected the brigade’s command center.
Nuclear exercises are taking place in Belarus
Earlier, the Belarusian Defense Ministry announced the start of drills involving units practicing the combat use of nuclear weapons. The exercises began on May 18 and are being conducted jointly with Russian forces.
Later, reports emerged that Russia had already delivered nuclear munitions to field storage sites in Belarus. The Russian side published the corresponding video.
During the visit, Lukashenko was briefed on actions related to preparing and carrying out a nuclear strike in the format of an electronic launch simulation.
He was also shown an Iskander-M launcher and a simulated nuclear missile strike without an actual missile launch.
What the Russian media reports
Russian media reported that joint exercises of Russian and Belarusian nuclear forces had begun.
According to Lukashenko’s press service, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko are observing the drills via video link.
Russia’s Defense Ministry previously stated that the exercises involve more than 64,000 troops, over 7,800 weapons and military vehicles, more than 200 missile launchers, 140 aircraft, and dozens of ships and submarines.
Amid the latest joint military and nuclear drills between Russia and Belarus, speculation has again emerged about a possible threat of an offensive against Ukraine from the north. However, observers note that Alexander Lukashenko understands the possible consequences of Belarus becoming directly involved in the war against Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently said that Russia is considering offensive scenarios against Ukraine from the northern direction, through the Chernihiv and Kyiv regions, including from the territory of Belarus and Russia’s Bryansk region.
