Lukashenko decides to check "nuclear units" following Putin's example

The Belarusian government has decided to check Belarusian units authorised to use tactical nuclear weapons.

Source: statement by the Ministry of Defence of Belarus; analytical project Belaruski Hajun

Details: Alexander Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, suddenly ordered the units to be able to use tactical nuclear weapons.  

Quote by Belaruski Hajun: "A squadron of Su-25 aircraft of the 116th Assault Airbase and the 587th Separate Rocket Division of the 465th Rocket Brigade armed with an Iskander operational-tactical missile system are being prepared to carry out the tasks assigned. A unit of the 336th Reactive Artillery brigade, armed with the Polonez-M missile systems, will also participate in the training.

Reportedly, "the entire complex of measures from planning, preparation and carrying out attacks with tactical nuclear ammunition will be checked" during the inspection. Specifically, the issue of the delivery of special ammunition and its loading into launchers (aircraft weapon station) will be inspected.

Details: The analysts stressed that the inspection was launched following the announcement of the preparation for the tactical nuclear weapons training in Russia. They assume that the Osipovitskii and Niman training grounds will likely be used for this purpose.

Background:

• On 6 May the Ministry of Defence of Russia announced that it will "soon" conduct exercises involving the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons on the orders of Russian ruler Vladimir Putin.
• Russia claimed that such training was allegedly as a reaction "to provocative statements and threats  towards the Russian Federation by certain Western officials".

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