JAKARTA - Russia signed a tactical nuclear weapons deployment deal in Belarus, despite underlining full control remains under Moscow and still complies with international law.
"During the meeting, documents determining procedures for storing Russia's non-strategical nuclear weapons in special storage facilities in the territory of the Republic of Belarus were signed," the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a press service.
"The steps taken by Russia and Belarus comply with all existing international legal obligations," said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
However, Defense Minister Shoigu ensured that Moscow would maintain control over weapons and any decisions about its use.
In fact, the deployment of these missiles was first announced by President Vladimir Putin in March. Since invading Ukraine last year, President Putin has repeatedly said Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons, if needed to maintain its "territorial integrity".
"In the context of a very sharp escalation of threats on the western border of Russia and Belarus, a decision has been made to take precautions in the military-nuclear field," TASS reported, citing Defense Minister Shoigu's statement.
In response, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) said it saw no need to adjust its own nuclear posture, although they said Putin's nuclear rhetoric was dangerous and irresponsible.
Furthermore, Russia is said to have handed over Iskander-M missiles that can carry conventional or nuclear warheads, which have been handed over to Belarusian armed forces. Meanwhile, several Su-25 aircraft have been converted for possible use of nuclear weapons.
" Belarusian soldiers have received the necessary training at Russian training centers," said Defense Minister Shoigu.
He added that the agreement signed with partners from Belarus includes procedures to establish "special storage facilities for nuclear weapons in Belarus."
It is known that tactical nuclear weapons refer to weapons with lower yields designed for use on the battlefield, not strategic weapons capable of destroying the entire city. Russia has not disclosed how many tactical nuclear weapons have been refined
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