In an apparent attempt to further escalate tensions in Europe, Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised Belarus that they will supply nuclear-capable Iskander-M missiles to Minsk to bolster their arsenal further.

The nuclear-capable version was confirmed to be given to Belarus. During a meeting in St. Petersburg, Putin had told Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that they would be supplying ballistic and cruise missile systems that could be used “both in conventional and nuclear versions.”

“[A] decision was made in our country: Within the next several months, we will transfer to Belarus the Iskander-M tactical missile systems, which are known to use both ballistic and cruise missiles, both conventional and nuclear,” Putin said.

This comes after Putin claims that NATO had plans to invade Belarus. However, the alliance has made no such claim as NATO does not want to further escalate the situation beyond Ukraine, as it has said for the past four months.

Belarus has been one of Russia’s most staunch allies since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine last February 24. Belarus had been participating in a military exercise with Russia before the attack’s launch, complicating Russia’s war against Kyiv. 

Throughout the invasion, Minsk has been used as a launching platform for Russian forces to enter Ukraine, notably when Russian troops from the Belarusian border advanced to Chornobyl during the initial push to Kyiv.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at the Constantine Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia (Kremlin.ru, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons).
President of Russia Vladimir Putin meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at the Constantine Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia (Kremlin.ru, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons).

It is still being used as a satellite base for Russia’s so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine, as confirmed by NATO through their surveillance aircraft. Belarus has also been used as a resupply site for Russian forces. In addition, itas been the launching platform for Russia’s air operations into Ukraine, especially now in the East, where Russia had been gaining ground through the capture of Severodonetsk.

While the gift of these Iskander-M missiles might be a sign of goodwill from Russia, it may also be the case that it is being used as a deterrence mechanism. Reports are surfacing that Putin is “stressed out” over some flights by NATO countries near Belarus’ border, many of which are training to carry nuclear warheads. Russia might be talking about NATO drills customarily carried out by the alliance. However, there is little evidence that these planes have atomic weapons.