Opening
Russia and Belarus conducted joint nuclear war games involving 64,000 troops, 200 or more missile launchers, and 140 aircraft during the week of May 24, 2026. The exercises included deployment of Russia's intermediate-range nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system to Belarus, along with test-firings of multiple strategic and tactical nuclear weapons systems. The Russian Defence Ministry stated the exercises were designed for the "preparation and use of nuclear forces under the threat of aggression."
Putin stated on Thursday that it was "important to further boost the level of readiness of strategic and tactical nuclear forces" as part of the drills. The maneuvers occurred amid escalating tensions in the Ukraine war, with Ukraine warning that Russia is attempting to draw Belarus into a broader conflict.
Exercise Scale and Military Systems
The joint exercises involved 64,000 troops, 200 or more missile launchers, 140 aircraft, 73 surface warships, and 13 submarines. The drills featured short and medium-range weapons including tactical nuclear systems—aerial bombs, artillery munitions, and warheads for short and medium-range missiles.
Russia deployed its Oreshnik intermediate-range nuclear-capable missile system to Belarus. During the exercises, Russian armed forces test-fired Yars and Sineva intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), as well as medium-range sea-launched Zircon and air-launched Kinzhal missiles. Belarusian troops also test-fired a short-range Iskander ballistic missile inside Russia.
Official Purpose and Putin's Statement
The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed the high-stakes exercises were designed for the "preparation and use of nuclear forces under the threat of aggression." Putin stated Thursday that it was "important to further boost the level of readiness of strategic and tactical nuclear forces."
Putin has stated that Moscow will maintain total control over nuclear weapons stationed in Belarus, which borders Ukraine and NATO members Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. However, he has given Lukashenko permission to select targets if nuclear weapons are deployed.
In February 2026, Putin modified Russia's nuclear doctrine to treat any conventional assault on Russia backed by a nuclear-armed nation as a joint nuclear attack—lowering the threshold for potential nuclear weapon use.
International Response
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte issued a warning this week, stating that any use of nuclear weapons would trigger a "devastating" response.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia is attempting to "drag Belarus into an expansion of the war" to create a new military flashpoint for Kyiv. Belarus was previously used as a launchpad for Russian forces during the failed invasion attempt on Kyiv in February 2022.
Expert Assessment
Nikolay Mitrokhin, a Bremen University researcher, told Al-Jazeera: "Something big is taking place, something that will be significant for international politics in general, and for mass media, including the very supply of nuclear arms."
The Kyiv-based Penta think-tank reported that Russian troop numbers currently stationed in Belarus are "insufficient" to launch a new invasion from the north. Analysts assess that a fresh assault from Belarus is unlikely in the near term.
