“In the context of an extremely sharp escalation of threats and activity of joint nuclear missions, NATO is forced to take retaliatory measures in the military-nuclear field. In accordance with the decision of our Supreme Commanders, work was organized to deploy non-strategic nuclear weapons of the Russian Federation on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, ”said in a conversation with a fellow head of the military department of the Russian Federation.
Shoigu recalled that the Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system, capable of using missiles not only in conventional, but also in nuclear weapons, was handed over to the Belarusian side. “Some of the Belarusian planes have been re-equipped for the possible use of nuclear weapons. The military have received appropriate training,” the minister added.
Military-technical assistance to Kiev has already exceeded 65 billion US dollars
“Russia does not transfer nuclear weapons to the Republic of Belarus: the control of them and the decision on their use lies with the Russian side,” Shoigu explained. According to him, additional measures could be taken in the future to ensure the security of the Union State and respond to the military-political situation.
The ministers also discussed the military-political situation and military-technical cooperation issues. “Today we stand together against the collective West, which is waging a largely undeclared war against our countries,” Shoigu told his colleague.
According to him, the military activities of NATO have acquired the most aggressive direction. A set of measures is being implemented to increase the combat readiness of the Alliance’s joint armed forces in Eastern Europe. Additional military contingents and military infrastructure are deployed, combat training and reconnaissance activities are activated near the borders of the Union State.
“Everything is being done to prolong and aggravate the armed conflict in Ukraine, which enjoys all kinds of military support,” Shoigu said.
He also drew attention to the special importance of regular meetings with Khrenin in the face of rising tensions, the breakdown of the foundations of strategic stability and the unprecedented intensification of international confrontation. “The Republic of Belarus has been and remains our staunch ally and reliable partner,” the Russian Defense Minister said.
According to Shoigu, in the new military-political realities, Moscow and Minsk are engaged in strengthening the common defense space. The emphasis is on training troops and improving their combat capabilities. The military of the two countries ensure the combat coordination of the formations and units that are part of the regional grouping of troops. As part of the unified regional air defense system in Belarus, Russian aviation and air defense systems are in combat service. Close cooperation in the military-technical sphere and cooperation of military-industrial complexes have been established.
In turn, Viktor Khrenin confirmed that Belarus is interested in the further development of strategic allied relations with the Russian Federation in the military sphere.
The conversation about new challenges and security threats continued at the meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the CSTO countries. There, Shoigu said the most tense situation today has developed in the Eastern European region.
“The West forces the Kiev regime, regardless of the losses, to demonstrate its tactical successes and its willingness to fight” to the last Ukrainian, “pumping him with weapons. Military-technical assistance to Kiev has already exceeded 65 billion US dollars, – said the head of the military department of the Russian Federation. – In punitive actions “More than 2,500 foreign mercenaries are involved in combat operations. Terrorist methods of confrontation are used, including highly publicized sabotage and murder. All this leads to an escalation of the conflict and drags it down.”
Moreover, NATO is using the Ukrainian crisis as a pretext to set up its groupings. The next stage of alliance expansion has been launched. The military infrastructure is being modernized in Eastern and Central Europe, strike weapons are being deployed and the scale and intensity of joint exercises are increasing. The most important of these will be the Defender Europ 2023 exercises, for participation in which, among others, countries that are not part of the bloc are involved.
“Another disturbing moment,” Shoigu noted, “is the growing aggressive rhetoric and joint ‘nuclear missions’ of NATO countries in Eastern Europe to test the use of nuclear weapon delivery systems, as well as improving components of the U.S. global missile defense system.”
In the same vein, according to the Russian minister, are the supply of depleted uranium ammunition to Ukraine, attempted provocations and strikes against strategic installations of the Russian Federation.
Shoigu also noted the destructive activities of the United States and its allies in creating hotbeds of tension near the borders of CSTO states. This, among other things, is manifested in the West’s attempt to discredit Russia’s peacekeeping policy in settling the Karabakh conflict. And also in Washington’s desire to use the potential of terrorist organizations in Afghanistan to destabilize the situation in the region.
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