Putin, Lukashenko Oversee 3-Day Nuclear Drills as Russia, Belarus Launch Yars and Zircon Missiles
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · May 21
Putin, Lukashenko Oversee 3-Day Nuclear Drills as Russia, Belarus Launch Yars and Zircon Missiles
9 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · May 21
Thursday marked the first time Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko directly joined a joint Russia-Belarus nuclear exercise, appearing by video link as the two militaries concluded three days of drills.
Russia’s defence ministry said the exercise included launches of a Yars ballistic missile, a Zircon hypersonic missile and a Sineva submarine-fired ICBM, while Belarus fired an Iskander-M ballistic missile and aircraft launched Kinzhal missiles.
Putin called nuclear use an “extreme and exceptional” measure but said the two countries’ strategic and tactical forces must remain a guarantor of Union State sovereignty; Lukashenko said the drills were defensive.
Ukraine and NATO allies viewed the exercise with concern, and Kyiv said it had tightened security in northern regions bordering Belarus to deter any hostile action.
The drills unfolded as cross-border attacks persisted: a Ukrainian drone strike in Russia’s Bryansk region killed 3 rail workers, days after a larger barrage toward Moscow reportedly killed at least 5 people.
As Russia flexes its nuclear might, is France’s new defense doctrine making Europe safer or simply raising the stakes?
With Russian nuclear arms now in Belarus, who truly holds launch authority in a crisis?
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Overview
From May 19 to 21, 2026, Russia and Belarus conducted large-scale joint nuclear exercises, marking a new level of military cooperation. These drills integrated advanced weaponry and, for the first time, deployed tactical nuclear munitions to Belarusian territory. The exercises were coordinated directly between the Belarusian and Russian militaries, with Belarus launching its own nuclear weapons drills. Russia showcased its strategic and tactical nuclear capabilities, including test-firing a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile and launching a Zircon hypersonic missile. Ukraine described these actions as an unprecedented challenge to global security, highlighting the significant escalation and regional security risks.