Belarus conducts tactical nuclear inspection on Alexander Lukashenko orders

Belarusian state media said on Tuesday (May 7) that the nation has started checks on the readiness of its army to deploy tactical nuclear weapons. The orders were apparently given by President Alexander Lukashenko. 

As quoted by the state news agency Belta, Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin said that Lukashenko had ordered a surprise inspection of forces in charge of such weapons. 

"In accordance with an order from the President of Belarus, a sudden inspection of non-strategic nuclear weapons carriers is being carried out," the Belarusian defence ministry said. 

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Khrenin said that "the entire range of activities from planning, preparation and use of strikes with tactical nuclear weapons will be checked" during the inspection. He added that the checks involved an Iskander missile division and a squadron of Su-25 aircraft. 

Non-strategic nuclear weapons, also known as tactical nuclear weapons, are designed for use on the battlefield and can be delivered via missiles. 

In April, Lukashenko said that "several dozen" Russian tactical nuclear weapons had been deployed in Belarus under an agreement announced last year by himself and Putin as a measure to deter the West. 

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The development comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered new nuclear weapons drills in the face of Western "threats" amid the ongoing war with Ukraine. 

Russia's defence ministry said the exercises would be held in the "near future" and involve the air force, navy and troops stationed near Ukraine. 

The Kremlin stated that the nuclear weapons drills were a response to "unprecedented" comments by the West, including by French President Emmanuel Macron, on sending troops to Ukraine. It said that the escalation requires "special measures". 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to reporters what led to the drills. He said: "It's obvious we are talking about statements from Mr. Macron and statements from British representatives. This is a completely new round of escalating tensions. It is unprecedented and requires special measures." 

(With inputs from agencies)