DefenceTalkThe Kremlin on Monday said Western criticism would not change plans announced by President Vladimir Putin to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in neighboring Belarus. The West condemned Putin’s weekend announcement on placing the weapons in EU and NATO-bordering Belarus, triggering calls for new sanctions on Moscow. Ukraine said it was seeking an emergency meeting of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/kremlin-says-wont-change-plans-on-belarus-nuclear-weapons-79998/

DefenceTalkBelarus said Monday that joint air force drills with Russia began on its territory, amid concerns Minsk was being dragged into the Ukraine conflict to fight alongside Moscow. Minsk’s defence ministry said “joint tactical flight drills of aviation units” from Belarus and Russia had started. The drills will last until February 1, the ministry said […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-belarus-launch-joint-air-force-drills-79726/

DefenceTalkBelarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday his country bought Iskander nuclear-capable missiles and S-400 anti-aircraft anti-missile systems from Russia. The announcement came on the 85th day of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, with thousands killed. Belarus, Moscow’s main ally, has allowed Russian troops to use the country bordering Ukraine as a rear base. “We’ve […]https://www.defencetalk.com/belarus-buys-s-400-iskander-missiles-from-russia-lukashenko-78808/

DefenceTalkBelarus, a Moscow ally that shares a border with Ukraine, launched “surprise” military maneuvers on Wednesday, to test the reactive capacity of its army, its defence ministry said. Belarus military units were testing their capacity to “go on the alert, move to predetermined zones and undertake combat training,” the ministry said in a statement. “The […]https://www.defencetalk.com/belarus-launches-surprise-military-maneuvers-78754/

DefenceTalkThe EU warned Monday that Belarus could start hosting Russian nuclear weapons after a “very dangerous” decision at a referendum to drop the country’s non-nuclear status. “We know what does it mean for Belarus to be nuclear. It means that Russia will put nuclear weapons in Belarus and this is a very dangerous path,” EU […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-warns-belarus-opening-door-to-russian-nukes-after-vote-78169/

DefenceTalkBelarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday his country could host nuclear weapons if it faces any external threats, as tensions soar between his ally Russia and the West over Ukraine. Lukashenko is due to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday. “If necessary, if such stupid and mindless steps are […]https://www.defencetalk.com/belarus-says-could-host-nuclear-weapons-if-faces-western-threat-77970/

DefenceTalkThe United States is worried that the arrival of Russian troops in Belarus for exercises could lead to a permanent presence that might introduce nuclear weapons into the country, a senior State Department official told reporters Tuesday. Russian military forces were moving into Belarus after Moscow-allied strongman Alexander Lukashenko announced Monday that the two countries […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-worries-russian-troop-arrival-could-lead-to-nuclear-weapons-in-belarus-77697/

DefenceTalkTwo of the four S-300 battalions provided by Russia will be stationed in the Polotsk district and the two others in the Grodno and Brest regions MINSK, May 5. /TASS/. The Air Force and air defense units of Belarus have received from Russia a fourth battalion of the air defense system S-300 PS on the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/belarus-gets-4th-battalion-of-russian-s-300-air-defense-systems-67410/

DefenceTalkMOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his ministers to agree a deal with Belarus so that Moscow can establish an air base in the ex-Soviet country, as Kremlin’s ties with the West remain at a post-Cold War low over the Ukraine crisis. The creation of a Russian military air base on the doorstep of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-putin-air-base-belarus-65448/

DefenceTalkMOSCOW: Belarus and Russia have started joint development of a new short-range air defense system to replace the outdated Strela-10M systems currently in service with the Russian and the Belarusian armed forces, Belarusian Deputy Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Igor Lotenkov said. “The work is being carried out in the framework of the [Russia-Belarus] Union State. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/belarus-russia-development-new-air-defense-system-65090/