Putin Announces Deployment of 10 Aircraft Capable of Carrying Tactical Nuclear Weapons in Belarus

The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, has long raised the possibility of deploying Russian tactical nuclear weapons on his country's territory, stated Russian President Vladimir Putin. This information was reported by interfax.ru.

In an interview with journalist Pavel Zarubin for the program "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin," a segment of which was aired Saturday on the "Russia 24" television channel, the Russian leader said that 10 aircraft capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons have already been deployed on Belarusian territory.

"Alexander Grigoryevich is right; he says, listen, we are your closest allies. Why do the Americans do this with their allies, deploying in their territories, training?" emphasized the Russian president.

"We agreed to do the same—without violating our obligations, I emphasize, without violating our international obligations regarding the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons—we have already assisted our Belarusian partners and re-equipped their aircraft, the Belarusian Air Force's planes. The aircraft are ready for the use of such types of weapons," said Putin.

Additionally, the Russian president announced that Russia has transferred the "Iskander" missile system to Belarus. "It can also be a carrier (of tactical nuclear weapons)," Putin stated.

At the same time, Putin clarified that Russia is not transferring tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus. "In principle, we are doing everything that they (the United States) have been doing for decades; they have (tactical nuclear weapons) in certain countries and are preparing carriers and training their personnel," said the Russian president.

Putin recalled that the United States has long deployed its tactical nuclear weapons in Europe, specifically in six states—Germany, Turkey, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and Greece.