Belarus holds nuclear weapons drills, Defence Ministry says

Belarus, which ​hosts Russian nuclear weapons, ‌said on Monday (May 18, 2026) ​it was ⁠conducting training in their use.

“The aim of ‌the exercise is to ‌improve the personnel’s ‌level of ⁠training, to ⁠test the Airborne Forces’ readiness to ​carry out their ‌tasks, and to organise combat operations from unplanned areas,” ‌the Defence Ministry ​said in a statement.

It ⁠said the training was not directed ‌against any other State and did not pose security threats in the ‌region.

Russian President Vladimir ​Putin has made clear that ⁠Moscow retains control of nuclear ⁠weapons deployed in Belarus.