Russia and Belarus have been conducting nuclear military exercises since yesterday (18 May 2026).

Omissions

• The exercises focus specifically on tactical (non-strategic) nuclear weapons, a distinction the MEP did not make.
• The exercises were announced in advance by Russian and Belarusian defence ministries and were not a surprise move.

Sources

• PrimaryPresident of Russia (Kremlin)The joint exercise will cover a wide range of objectives with a focus on officials' actions regarding management and interaction when engaging nuclear forces. Presidents Putin and Lukashenko monitored the exercises via video conference.
• SecondaryReutersMay 18 (Reuters) - Belarus said on Monday it had launched previously announced military exercises to practice the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons stationed on its territory.
• SecondaryThe Moscow TimesRussia and Belarus launched joint military exercises on Monday to practice the combat deployment of tactical nuclear weapons, marking the first time the two allies have conducted nuclear drills of this scale.
• SecondaryAl JazeeraBelarus launched joint military drills with Russia on Monday involving the practice deployment of tactical nuclear weapons.
• SecondaryDWThe Belarusian Defense Ministry said the drills would test its readiness to deploy nuclear weapons. Ukraine decried the exercise as Russia using Belarus as a 'nuclear staging ground.'