The armed forces of Belarus and Russia have begun an exercise in Belarus simulating the possible use of nuclear weapons, the Defence Ministry in Minsk said on Monday.
The manoeuvres are being held to practice the transport of nuclear weapons and prepare for their deployment, the ministry said, stressing that these were routine exercises by the missile forces and the air force, and not directed against anyone.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly accused Russia of planning to launch a new attack on Ukraine or a NATO country from neighbouring Belarus, considered Moscow's closest ally.
According to the Defence Ministry in Minsk, the aim of the exercise is to test the operational readiness of weapons and equipment and to improve personnel training, including practising the transport of nuclear munitions.
Russia maintains tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus after long-time ruler Alexander Lukashenko requested them. He hopes they will provide greater security amid a perceived threat to the country from NATO states.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday rejected Zelensky's latest allegations regarding a planned Russian offensive from Belarus.
“Such statements are nothing more than an attempt to further inflame tensions in order to prolong the war" in Ukraine, Peskov said.
Zelensky warned Belarus on Friday against allowing itself to be drawn into Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
