Russia’s Putin to Deploy Tactical Nukes in Belarus

Russia’s Putin to Deploy Tactical Nukes in Belarus | VOA News
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans on Saturday to station tactical nuclear weapons in neighboring Belarus.

Putin said the move was triggered by Britain’s decision this past week to provide Ukraine with armor-piercing rounds containing depleted uranium.

Tactical nuclear weapons are intended for use on the battlefield and have a short range and a low yield compared with much more powerful nuclear warheads fitted to long-range missiles.

Russia plans to maintain control over those it sends to Belarus, and construction of storage facilities for them, will be completed by July 1, Putin said.

Putin argued that by deploying its tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, Russia was following the lead of the United States, noting that the U.S. has nuclear weapons based in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey.