In a significant development, Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that a first batch of tactical nuclear weapons has been stationed in Belarus.
Putin made this revelation during a forum, emphasizing that these weapons would only be used if Russia’s territory or state faced a threat. The United States government, however, has stated that there are no indications of the Kremlin planning to utilize nuclear weapons for an attack on Ukraine.
Speaking after Putin’s comments, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reassured that they do not perceive any signs of Russia preparing to employ nuclear weapons.
The statement from the US government comes as a response to concerns arising from the deployment of tactical nuclear warheads in Belarus, a crucial ally of Russia. Belarus played a significant role as a launchpad for Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February the previous year.
Putin clarified that the transfer of these tactical nuclear warheads would be completed by the end of the summer. During a Q&A session following his speech at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, the Russian president explained that the move aimed at “containment” and served as a reminder to anyone considering inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia.
When questioned about the possibility of using these weapons, Putin responded, “Why should we threaten the whole world? I have already said that the use of extreme measures is possible in case there is a danger to Russian statehood.”
Tactical nuclear weapons are characterized by their small size and are designed for use on the battlefield or limited strikes.
Their purpose is to destroy specific enemy targets without causing widespread radioactive fallout. The yield of these weapons can range from less than a kiloton (equivalent to a thousand tons of TNT explosive) to as large as 100 kilotons. To provide a comparison, the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima by the United States in 1945 had a yield of 15 kilotons.
The deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus marks a significant development, raising concerns about regional stability and escalating tensions. While Russia maintains that these measures are solely for defensive purposes, the international community will closely monitor the situation and its potential implications for regional security.