# Russia‑Belarus nuclear and security drills > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/russia-conducts-rs28-satanii-icbm-test-ahead-of-victory-day > Updated: 2026-07-13T05:09:56.000Z. Sources: 95. Developments: 14. In early May 2026 Russia announced preparations for a test of its new RS‑28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, timing the launch to coincide with Victory Day celebrations. The missile was successfully test‑flown on 12 May, a flight touted by President Vladimir Putin as the most powerful in the world and capable of evading existing missile‑defence systems. Russian officials framed the launch as a strategic deterrent rather than a destabilising act. Following the missile test, Russia staged its largest post‑Soviet nuclear exercise, moving tactical and strategic nuclear assets to Belarus from 19–21 May. The drills involved the Iskander‑M system, Yars ICBMs, hypersonic Kinzhal missiles and strategic submarines, and were portrayed by Moscow as a signal to NATO and a guarantee of the Russian‑Belarusian Union’s security. Putin described nuclear use as an “extraordinary measure” while Russian diplomats rejected claims that the tests threatened strategic stability. In June, joint Russian‑Belarusian drills continued, featuring the Nut missile system and emphasizing deterrence against Baltic‑region forces. The broader pattern of missile testing, warhead deployment, and large‑scale exercises reflects Russia’s effort to bolster its nuclear posture amid manpower shortages, battlefield setbacks in Ukraine, and heightened tensions with the West. On 13 July, Belarusian internal security forces conducted extensive drills to practice dispersing mass protests. OMON units, internal troops and traffic police blocked city centres in simulated scenarios, despite no imminent election or public event. Analysts said the exercises signal preparation for potential unrest driven by economic hardship and for a possible shift in Belarus’s role in the Ukraine war, ranging from hosting Russian attacks to domestic mobilisation. The drills underscore the regime’s readiness for varied security contingencies, complementing the earlier nuclear‑focused cooperation with Russia. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-13: Belarus militia practices protest suppression drills amid war tensions Belarus militia is conducting nationwide drills to disperse mass protests, involving OMON and internal troops, amid speculation that the exercises prepare for potential unrest or a new role in the Ukraine war. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/belarus-militia-practices-protest-suppression-drills-amid-war-tensions ### 2026-06-25: Belarus launches unexpected mobilization drills amid Russian pressure Belarus began unexpected mobilization drills from June 20‑26, calling reservists to report, amid reports of Russian pressure to use Belarusian territory for attacks on Ukraine. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/belarus-launches-unexpected-mobilization-drills-amid-russian-pressure ### 2026-06-02: Russia and Belarus Conduct Joint Nuclear Exercises, Citing Baltic Security Concerns Russia and Belarus held joint nuclear drills, deploying the ‘Nut’ system in Belarus and warning EU forces, according to Russian security chief Alexei Shevtsov. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russian-mfa-spokeswoman-maria-zaharova-calls-bbc-journalists-silence-about-starobelsk-tragedy-absolu ### 2026-05-28: Russia's Military Strains Spur Nuclear Brinkmanship Amid Ukraine Conflict Russia’s manpower shortages and Ukrainian drone attacks are curbing its Ukraine offensive, prompting Putin to heighten nuclear threats, including a delayed Sarmat test and Belarus exercise, raising miscaluation 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russias-military-strains-spur-nuclear-brinkmanship-amid-ukraine-conflict ### 2026-05-21: Russia moves nuclear warheads to Belarus for joint drills Russia delivered tactical nuclear warheads to Belarus for a three‑day drill using Iskander‑M missiles, underscoring tighter military ties and raising NATO‑related security concerns. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-moves-nuclear-warheads-to-belarus-for-joint-drills ### 2026-05-21: Russia and Belarus hold joint nuclear drills as Putin calls nuclear use an emergency security measure Russia‑Belarus nuclear drills held May 19‑21; Putin says nuclear use is an emergency security measure. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-and-belarus-hold-joint-nuclear-drills-as-putin-calls-nuclear-use-an-emergency-security-measur ### 2026-05-21: Russia deploys strategic nuclear weapons in Belarus during exercise Russia deployed Yars ICBMs, Kinzhal missiles and nuclear warheads to Belarus in a large‑scale drill. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-deploys-strategic-nuclear-weapons-in-belarus-during-final-drill-phase ### 2026-05-19: Russia moves nuclear warheads to Belarus in large‑scale drills Russia delivered nuclear warheads to Belarus during its largest nuclear drill since the Soviet era, raising NATO tensions. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-launches-largest-postsoviet-nuclear-drill-with-64000-troops ### 2026-05-16: Russia Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov says Sarmat tests not aimed at strategic destabilisation Russia's Ryabkov says Sarmat missile tests are not meant to destabilise strategic balance. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-deputy-foreign-minister-ryabkov-says-sarmat-tests-not-aimed-at-strategic-destabilisation ### 2026-05-15: Russia’s Sarmat missile test fails to mask strategic shortfalls, says British analyst British analyst says Russia’s Sarmat missile test is propaganda, highlighting outdated strategic weapons and U.S. defenses. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russias-sarmat-missile-test-fails-to-mask-strategic-shortfalls-says-british-analyst ### 2026-05-15: Russia tests Sarmat ICBM, claims unprecedented range and payload Russia’s Sarmat ICBM test claims record range, payload and defense‑penetration, sparking Western skepticism. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-tests-sarmat-icbm-claims-unprecedented-range-and-payload ### 2026-05-12: Russia completes successful test of Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile Russia tested its Sarmat ICBM on May 12, achieving >35,000 km range and claiming superiority over Western missile defenses. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-completes-successful-test-of-sarmat-intercontinental-ballistic-missile ### 2026-05-12: Russia test‑fires Sarmat ICBM, calls it the world’s most powerful missile Russia’s Sarmat ICBM test succeeds; Putin labels it the world’s most powerful nuclear missile, slated for deployment by year‑end. 57 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-successfully-tests-sarmat-satan2-intercontinental-ballistic-missile ### 2026-05-08: Russia readies RS-28 Sarmat ICBM test around Victory Day Russia may test its RS-28 “Satan II” ICBM, capable of ten warheads, around Victory Day, raising NATO concerns. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-readies-rs-28-sarmat-icbm-test-around-victory-day --- Cite as: Russia‑Belarus nuclear and security drills. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/russia-conducts-rs28-satanii-icbm-test-ahead-of-victory-day