Russia and Belarus launch second stage of tactical nuclear weapons drills

Russian troops prepare a missile launcher for joint Russian-Belarusian drills intended to train the military to use tactical nuclear weapons (Russian Defence Ministry/AP)

Russia and its ally Belarus have launched a second stage of drills intended to train their troops in tactical nuclear weapons – part of the Kremlin’s efforts to discourage the West from ramping up support for Ukraine.

In announcing the nuclear manoeuvres last month, the Russian Defence Ministry said they were in response to “provocative statements and threats of certain western officials regarding the Russian Federation”.