Russia on Tuesday, May 19, launched large-scale military exercise focused on the preparation and potential use of nuclear forces “under conditions of an aggression threat,” according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
The exercise is scheduled to run from May 19 to May 21.
According to the ministry, the exercise involves Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, the Northern and Pacific fleets, long-range aviation command, and units from the Leningrad and Central military districts.
Missile launches and nuclear readiness exercise planned
The Russian Defense Ministry said the exercise is intended to test troop readiness, command coordination, and deterrence capabilities against a “probable adversary.”
The exercise will include preparations for nuclear force deployment as well as launches of ballistic and cruise missiles at Russian training ranges.
According to the ministry, more than 64,000 military personnel and over 7,800 pieces of equipment are participating.
The exercise also involves more than 200 missile launch systems, over 140 aircraft, 73 surface warships, and 13 submarines, including eight strategic nuclear missile submarines.
Belarus nuclear deployment scenario included
Russia’s Ministry of Defense also said the exercise would include practice related to the “joint preparation and use” of nuclear weapons deployed on the territory of Belarus.
Moscow previously announced the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus following agreements with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.
Earlier, the Belarusian Defense Ministry announced that Minsk had launched an exercise in coordination with Russia involving Belarus military units tasked with the combat use of nuclear weapons and nuclear support operations. The exercise is being led by the chief of the Belarusian General Staff, who also serves as first deputy defense minister, according to the statement.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 15, that Ukrainian intelligence has evidence Russia is attempting to draw Belarus more directly into the war against Ukraine and possibly into future operations against NATO countries.
Following a meeting with Ukraine’s military and intelligence leadership, Zelensky said Kyiv had identified additional contacts between Russian officials and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko aimed at persuading Minsk to join new Russian military operations.
Russia is reportedly considering operational plans with forces launched from Belarusian territory either toward Ukraine’s Chernihiv-Kyiv sectors or against a NATO member state, according to Zelensky.
Lukashenko said the new approach was in preparation for a possible “ground operation,” Minsk state news agency Belta reported on May 12.
“We will selectively mobilize units, the armed forces, in order to prepare them for war,” Lukashenko said. “God willing, it will be possible to avoid it. We are all preparing for war.”