Russian Iskander-E missile launcher operates during International Military and Technical Forum 2022 in Alabino outside Moscow, Russia August 17, 2022. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov.
Russia announced its intention to conduct a combat readiness check for the use of nuclear weapons the day before, but it began from Belarus.
“As part of this event, part of the aviation forces and assets were relocated to a spare airfield. With the subsequent relocation of the technical staff, we will begin to work out preparations for the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons,” said Viktar Gulevich, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Belarus, First Deputy Minister of Defense.
According to him, the assigned crews successfully completed the flight tasks. “Now we will monitor how all other activities will be carried out,” he added.
The press service of the Ministry of Defense of Belarus posted two videos, which probably demonstrate the verification of the readiness of forces and carriers for the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons.
Belarusian Defense Minister Viktar Khrenin said that the inspection began on the relevant order of Aliaksandr Lukashenka.
“A division of the Iskander operational and tactical complex and a squadron of Su-25 aircraft are ready to perform tasks as intended. The inspection will be carried out in accordance strictly with the time schedule determined by the Commander-in-Chief. During it, the entire range of measures from planning, preparation and use of strikes with tactical nuclear munitions will be checked,” Viktar Khrenin said.