'Russian Ally' Belarus Mentions 'Tactical Nuclear Weapons' Amid Ukraine Border Tensions

"Ukraine Allegedly Concentrates Air Defense Systems at Border Areas"

Belarus, a traditional ally of Russia, is strengthening border security in preparation for provocations from Ukraine and has mentioned the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right in the photo) and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to Russian TASS news agency and others, Pavel Muraveiko, Chief of the General Staff and First Deputy Minister of Defense of Belarus, said on the 30th of last month (local time) on national television, "We have the capability to use this (tactical nuclear weapons), and if the sovereignty and independence of our country are threatened, we will do so." He warned that one of the deterrents against aggression toward Belarus is the redeployment of Russia's tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, stating, "We have been trained in the use of such weapons and know confidently how to use them."

This statement from Belarus came after reports that Ukraine has increased its troop presence along the border facing Belarus. Ukraine shares its northwestern border with Belarus and its northeastern border with Russia. Earlier, Andrey Severinchik, commander of the Belarusian Air Defense Forces, stated in a Ministry of Defense announcement on the 29th of last month that the Ukrainian military is concentrating air defense systems in the northern Zhytomyr region adjacent to Belarus and that additional air defense forces have been deployed to the border area.

In response to these claims, Ukraine dismissed them as "another part of an information operation conducted by Belarus with Russian support." Andriy Demchenko, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Border Guard, told national television, "This is not the first time Belarus has provided information claiming to strengthen itself due to threats from Ukraine," adding that the Belarusian border area is threatening and that Ukraine maintains the necessary number of troops to prevent provocations.

Following Belarus's stance, Russia also stepped in, saying, "The issues of an ally are our issues." Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, said at a briefing on the 1st, "It raises concerns for both Belarus, a true ally and partner, and Russia." He emphasized, "Belarus and we are a union state, have a special dialogue format among all agencies including special services, and maintain continuous partnership contacts between the ministries of defense."

Belarus is a country that supported Russia when it launched the 'special military operation' in Ukraine in February 2022. After the Ukraine operation, as tensions with the West intensified, Russia deployed its tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus last year. Russia and Belarus also conducted joint tactical nuclear weapons training last month.