Russia deploys strategic nuclear weapons in Belarus during exercise

Russia concluded a three‑day nuclear drill by moving strategic assets to Belarus, including the mobile ground‑based Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system, nuclear‑armed Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and several strategic submarines operating in the Pacific and Arctic. Video released by the Russian defense ministry shows the deployment of nuclear munitions in Belarusian depots, a move criticised by Kyiv.

The exercise involved more than 64,000 troops, over 7,800 pieces of equipment, 140 aircraft, 73 ships and 13 submarines, among them eight strategic missile‑launch vessels. It took place amid heightened tensions between Russia, NATO and Ukraine, with Moscow framing the drills as an existential fight against the West.