Visit to missile brigade of Armed Forces in Osipovichi District

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has arrived at a missile brigade of the Armed Forces in Osipovichi District.

The head of state was informed about the concept for organizing the exercise involving the army units in charge of the combat deployment of nuclear weapons and nuclear support.

The relevant steps are being practiced together with the Russian side.

Aleksandr Lukashenko examined the missile brigade’s motor pool and visited the commanding officer’s command post. An Iskander-M launch vehicle was demonstrated to the President as well as a simulated nuclear missile strike (an electronic launch). In other words, all the steps were taken the way they would in a genuine combat situation. With one essential minor difference: the actual missile did not launch.

The head of state talked to the crew of the launch vehicle, once again emphasizing the importance of quality training of personnel, commanders, and officers.

“I once dreamed of this vehicle. But nowadays we have more than one. And you know better than I do that these are good weapons,” the President said.

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko and President of Russia Vladimir Putin got in touch via a videoconference call during a joint exercise of the army units in charge of the combat deployment of nuclear weapons and nuclear support.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Indeed, it is the first joint exercise of the kind. But as for elements, as for the components, it turns out that our general staffs, our defense ministers organize it every quarter of the year. But without us [without the presidents]. Back in winter you and I discussed the possibility of the presidents taking part in it. I absolutely support your stance that we threaten absolutely no one. But we have these weapons and we are ready to defend our joint Fatherland from Brest to Vladivostok by all means. Since we have something in our arms, we should know how to use it.”

“Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin], I’ve been to all the installations around the place, I’ve looked in Belarus in the east, in the center, and everything is in good shape. The Russian generals that I’ve talked to are here. They are satisfied with our joint work,” the Belarusian leader stated.

“I think that the planned events will take place ordinarily. Naturally, those, who want to see something else in it, will see it. But it is our business. We are doing a legal thing and we will do it in defense of the life of our people,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.

The president also greeted all the military personnel and the generals, who were taking part in the exercise. And he congratulated Vladimir Putin on a successful visit to China.

In turn, in his opening address Vladimir Putin noted that it is the first joint exercise of the Russian and Belarusian armies to control strategic and tactical nuclear forces. He stressed that such weapons can be used only as a last resort meant to ensure the national security of the two states. “At the same time taking into account the growing tension in the world, the emergence of new threats and risks, our nuclear triad should continue serving as a reliable guarantor of the sovereignty of the Union State of Russia and Belarus, should enable the accomplishment of tasks relating to strategic deterrence, the maintenance of nuclear parity and balance of forces at the global level,” the Russian president said.

In his words, in the course of the joint exercise it will be necessary to accomplish a broad range of tasks, primarily actions of responsible individuals regarding control and interaction in the use of nuclear weapons, including those deployed in Belarus’ territory. It was also necessary to organize practical launches of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.