Belarus said Monday it has launched joint military drills with Russia to practice the use of nuclear weapons that Moscow has deployed on its territory.

In December 2025, Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced the deployment of its nuclear-capable hypersonic Oreshnik missile system in Belarus, a move aimed at strengthening Moscow’s ability to strike targets across Europe in the event of war.

The Belarusian Defense Ministry said the exercises, which began on Monday, involve missile units and warplanes.

“During the exercise, in cooperation with the Russian side, it is planned to practice the delivery of nuclear weapons and preparations for their use,” the ministry said. It added that the drills will focus on training forces to “perform combat tasks from unprepared areas across the entire territory of the Republic of Belarus.”

Officials in Minsk said the maneuvers were planned in advance and are not directed against any countries.

Belarus shares borders with Russia, Ukraine and three NATO members: Poland, Latvia and Lithuania, making it a key strategic location for Moscow’s military posture in the region.

The Kremlin has repeatedly asserted control over the nuclear weapons deployed in Belarus. In a revised nuclear doctrine released in 2024, Russia placed Belarus under its nuclear umbrella. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow would retain control over the weapons but allow its ally to help select targets in the event of a conflict.

Ukraine strongly condemned the drills, saying the Kremlin is “de facto legitimizing the proliferation of nuclear weapons worldwide.” 

“Such actions must face unequivocal and resolute condemnation from all states that respect the nuclear non-proliferation regime,” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Belarus, led by Lukashenko for more than three decades, has faced repeated Western sanctions over its crackdown on dissent and its support for Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.