Belarusian military completes training on use of Russian nuclear missile systems

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The Russian Defense Ministry on Wednesday said Belarusian military units have completed training on how to use the Iskander tactical missile systems that can be armed with nuclear missiles.

Units of a separate missile division of the Belarusian armed forces studied in detail the issues of maintenance and use of tactical special ammunition, the ministry said in a statement.

Special attention was paid to further improvement of practical skills in preparing the missile system for use, its deployment, and conducting combat training launches, it added.

The ministry said Belarusian servicemen showed "maximum diligence" and "excellent results" during the training, confirming a "high level of readiness to perform tasks for their intended purpose."

President Vladimir Putin announced on March 25 that Russia will deploy tactical nuclear weapons and complete the construction of a special storage facility for them in neighboring Belarus.

Putin said the move was in response to growing security risks, stressing that Moscow followed the US, which deployed its tactical nuclear arms in European countries