Russia has initiated nuclear war games in Belarus, deploying Iskander-M missiles near the European Union border, prompting Ukraine to reinforce its northern frontier and Nato to issue a stark warning. The exercises, which began on May 18, involve strategic missile forces, naval fleets, and long-range aviation, according to the Russian defence ministry.
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte cautioned that any Russian nuclear attack would trigger a 'devastating' retaliation. European sources indicated that allied intelligence services have personally warned Russian generals involved in nuclear operations that they 'would not survive' any attempt to use such weapons.
Belarus insisted the drills are not a threat, stating they aim to improve personnel training and verify equipment readiness. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of trying to draw Belarus deeper into the war, citing plans for operations against Ukraine or Nato countries from Belarusian territory.
The exercises involve 64,000 personnel, over 7,800 pieces of equipment, and more than 200 missile-launch systems. Iskander-M missiles deployed in southern Belarus could potentially reach Kyiv, as well as Nato members Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.
