The transfer of Russian nuclear weapons to Belarus does not mean there is greater danger of escalation in the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine, observers at the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said.
It is still extremely unlikely that Russian President, Vladimir Putin would use nuclear weapons in Ukraine or elsewhere, according to their analysis.
Their comments came after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday that the planned transfer of weapons to his country had already begun, following a meeting with Putin.
The threat level was no higher as Russia was already able to reach potential targets with its nuclear weapons, the analysts said.
The tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, which had a shorter range than the strategic nuclear missiles, were to be stationed on the border with Poland, according to Moscow.
Stationing the weapons in Belarus primarily served to further expand Russia’s military infrastructure and command structures in the neighboring country, further subordinating the security structures in Belarus, the analysis said.
