“New threat situation”
Belarus includes nuclear weapons in military doctrine
January 16, 2024, 11:53 p.m
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Two years after the attack on Kiev, Moscow’s closest ally sees a “new threat situation.” The defense minister explains vaguely that the use of nuclear weapons is now part of Belarusian military doctrine. Former Russian President Medvedev was previously more specific.
The former Soviet republic of Belarus, which is closely allied with Russia, has enshrined the use of nuclear weapons in its new military doctrine. Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said this in an interview with journalists. In view of the new threat situation, it was necessary to revise the doctrine that has been in force since 2016. The sources of military threats to the country have been clearly identified, the minister said. He did not provide any more specific information about the planned use of nuclear weapons.
The doctrine also clearly defines the obligations towards allies, Chrenin said. Belarus is considered Russia’s closest ally, which launched its war of aggression against Ukraine from Belarusian territory almost two years ago. Russia deployed tactical nuclear missiles in Belarus last year following an announcement by President Vladimir Putin.
While Putin stated that Moscow would retain control of the weapons, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko later contradicted this. If his country is faced with aggression, he will not hesitate to order the use of weapons, he said.
Medvedev warns Kiev against attacking missile ramps
After the recent serious rocket strikes against Ukraine, Russia’s former President Dmitry Medvedev caused a stir again on Thursday with threats of nuclear weapons. “As is known, different carriers with different charges were used (in the attacks), with the exception of nuclear ones. Yet!” Medvedev said at a meeting of the Russian Military and Armaments Commission. Medvedev described the recent attacks, in which more than 30 civilians died in Kiev, for example, as “resultant strikes against military objects.”
The deputy head of the Russian National Security Council followed up on Telegram: He warned Kiev against attempts to use long-range Western missiles to bombard missile launch pads on Russian territory. This was “not self-defense, but a direct and obvious justification for the use of nuclear weapons against such a country,” Medvedev wrote.