B elarus, an erstwhile Soviet republic, has initiated an unexpected nuclear readiness inspection, displaying the country’s preparedness to deploy tactical nuclear weapons. This action closely aligns with Russia’s maneuvers and appears to be a strategic gesture to reinforce Moscow’s position amid its conflict with Ukraine.

The Belarusian maneuvers began a day after Russia announced plans to hold similar drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons in what it cast as a response to statements by Western officials signaling possibly deeper involvement in the war in Ukraine. It was the first time such an exercise had been publicly announced by Moscow.

The planned exercise involving the practice deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in southern Russia is nothing unusual, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin.