The Kremlin claimed russia has begun transferring tactical nuclear warheads (under russian control) to Belarus, in line with previously announced plans, the Institute for the Study of War reports.
On June 16, russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed the initial deployment of tactical nuclear warheads to Belarus. Putin further declared that the entirety of the planned shipments of tactical nuclear warheads to Belarus will be completed by the end of 2023.
Read more: russia Plans to Deploy Nuclear Weapons in belarus Already in Mid-July
ISW previously assessed that the deployment of russian tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus is part of a longstanding effort to cement russia’s de facto military control over Belarus. However, ISW claims that this deployment is highly unlikely to indicate any escalation on the part of russia.
Read more: Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Says russians Urgently Evacuating Nuclear Stocks from Belgorod Region
