Russia and Belarus Hold Large-Scale Nuclear Forces Exercise

According to a report by Reference News Network on May 21, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on May 19 that from May 19 to 21, the Russian Armed Forces will conduct exercises on the preparation and use of nuclear forces under conditions of aggression threat. The Strategic Missile Forces and Long-Range Aviation will participate in these exercises.

The Russian Defense Ministry also pointed out that the Strategic Missile Forces, Northern Fleet, Pacific Fleet, Long-Range Aviation Command, as well as some units from the Leningrad Military District and Central Military District will take part in the exercises.

Reports indicate that over 64,000 military personnel and more than 7,800 pieces of weapons, military, and special equipment will participate in the exercises, including over 200 missile launchers, more than 140 aircraft, 73 surface ships, and 13 submarines.

The Russian Defense Ministry stated that during the exercises, training will be conducted on the joint preparation and use of nuclear weapons deployed within Belarus.

According to a Reuters report on May 19, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the Russian military began a large-scale nuclear exercise for three days starting that day, which includes the launch of ballistic and cruise missiles.

This exercise will involve 64,000 soldiers and 7,800 pieces of military equipment, practicing "the preparation and use of nuclear forces in the event of aggression."

According to a report from the Russian newspaper Kommersant on May 18, in the context of increasing confrontation with Europe, Russia and Belarus announced a new round of exercises to practice the use of nuclear weapons. The purpose of these exercises is to enhance personnel training levels, test the capability of weapons, military, and special equipment to perform tasks, and practice organizing operations from non-predefined areas.

The Belarusian Defense Ministry announced the start of the exercises on the Telegram social platform on the 18th. The announcement stated that this training for the operational use of nuclear weapons aims to "improve the military's readiness to use modern lethal weapons, including special munitions (i.e., nuclear weapons)."

Military expert Dmitry Kornev stated in an interview that this joint exercise between Russia and Belarus is "an important political and military signal that needs to be interpreted on multiple levels."

Kornev said: "First, it demonstrates the unity of the two countries' armed forces. Second, the exercise sends a signal to Ukraine. Kyiv will inevitably view it as a signal that the Russian and Belarusian armed forces may collaborate within the framework of special military operations, which increases uncertainty on the battlefield and may also affect Ukraine's operational decisions."

Additionally, Kornev believes that this is also a signal from Moscow and Minsk to the countries on the eastern flank of the EU and NATO.

He said: "The West is continuously expanding military exercises near the Russian-Belarusian border, and Russia and Belarus are indicating that they can respond equivalently to the region's 'militarization' and maintain their military forces in a state of readiness at all times." (Translated by Han Ziling)