Newsroom
Russia has deployed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, marking the first time its nuclear arsenal has been stationed outside Russian territory since the Cold War.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed that several dozen warheads have been moved into his country. He also revealed that preparations are underway to host Moscow's advanced hypersonic ballistic missiles.
This deployment has significant strategic implications. Belarus, which borders Ukraine and several NATO countries, now enables Russian forces to strike potential targets more efficiently. The move extends Russia's nuclear reach deeper into Eastern and Central Europe, raising alarm among NATO allies.
22 Munitions arsenals in the Belarusian town of Asipovichy and the village of Prudok are believed to house tactical nuclear weapons transferred from Russia. Credit: icanw.org, understandingwar.org
According to a Newsweek report, two primary locations for these weapons have been identified: a military depot near Asipovichy in central Belarus and a potential storage site in Prudok, near the northeastern border. These sites bring Russia's tactical nuclear capabilities significantly closer to NATO's eastern flank, increasing the perceived threat to member states such as Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.
The Asipovichy depot, located about 120 miles from Ukraine’s border, has been fortified with enhanced security, including a triple-layered fence and new nuclear storage facilities. Meanwhile, the Prudok site, closer to NATO's borders, highlights the strategic importance of these deployments.
Military analysts believe these measures are part of Russia's broader strategy to strengthen its nuclear deterrence against what it perceives as increasing Western aggression. Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed the completion of "special storage" facilities in Belarus, reinforcing Moscow's nuclear posture amid heightened tensions with NATO. Furthermore, updates to Russia's nuclear doctrine now permit a nuclear response to conventional attacks by nations supported by nuclear-armed allies.
This escalation follows the U.S. decision to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian-held territory. The conflict has also seen reports of North Korean troops allegedly assisting Russia, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
Tactical nuclear weapons, while less destructive than intercontinental ballistic missiles, are intended for battlefield use rather than large-scale devastation. Russia has not disclosed the number of weapons stationed in Belarus, but Lukashenko emphasized the secrecy of their arrival, claiming Western intelligence "didn’t even notice" the deployment.
Earlier this year, joint military drills between Russian and Belarusian forces featured Iskander short-range ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable aircraft. Belarus, with its Cold War-era infrastructure for hosting Soviet nuclear weapons, remains a critical component of Russia's strategic military operations.
With information from Newsweek.
