Thursday, May 21Thursday, May 21Russia has delivered nuclear warheads to Belarus as part of a three-day military exercise involving both countries, escalating tensions with NATO. The drills include rehearsals for the use of nuclear forces, with a focus on the Iskander-M tactical missile system, which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads. These exercises are taking place amid heightened regional security concerns, particularly in the Baltic states, following recent drone incursions and Russian threats .
The nuclear warheads were transported to field storage facilities in Belarus, signaling a direct challenge to NATO members. The Kremlin has framed these drills as a response to perceived threats from the West, though NATO officials have described them as provocative. The exercises coincide with increased drone activity in the Baltic region, which has raised alarms among NATO allies .
The Baltic states, including Lithuania and Latvia, have experienced multiple airspace violations and drone alerts in recent days. Lithuania declared an air alert in its northeastern Utena district due to potential drones entering its airspace, while Latvia scrambled NATO jets in response to drone incursions. These incidents have contributed to a heightened state of alert in the region, with Russia accused of using hybrid warfare tactics to destabilize NATO members .
Russian officials have also accused Latvia of aiding Ukraine in drone strikes against Russian targets, issuing threats of military retaliation. Latvia has denied these claims, attributing them to Russian disinformation efforts. The Kremlin’s rhetoric and actions, including the nuclear drills in Belarus, have intensified concerns about regional stability and the potential for further escalation .
> Background: **Belarus and Russia hold joint nuclear drills amid rising regional tensions.** — *2 days ago*
More LFE coverage on this topic
Baltic States On High Alert After Drone Alert, Russian Threats
gdeltproject.org · about 5 hours ago
Russia rehearses use of nuclear forces in drills with Belarus Russia delivered nuclear warheads to sites in Belarus as part of a three-day military exercise involving both countries.
aljazeera · about 6 hours ago
Air alert lifted in Lithuanias northeastern Utena district An air alert was declared on Thursday afternoon in Lithuanias northeastern Utena district bordering Belarus and Latvia due to potential drones entering the countrys airspace. The threat level was later changed to yellow, meaning the imminent threat level had subsided, before being lifted at around 18:00 local time.
lrt · about 7 hours ago
Russia moves nuclear weapons to Belarus for joint exercise Drills taking place amid heightened tensions between Russia and Nato members, with regional security concerns rising following recent incidents involving drones in the Baltic region.
intellinews · about 8 hours ago
Latvia scrambles NATO jets in drone alert, the latest of several in Baltic Latvias military said NATO planes responded to at least one drone flying in its airspace. Its the latest in a string of such incidents in the Baltic, one of which eventually toppled Latvias government.
deutsche welle europe · about 9 hours ago
Russian secret services target Latvia as Ukraines drone offensive worries the Kremlin The Russian secret services on Monday accused Latvia without evidence of helping Ukraine strike Russian targets using drones, and threatened the Baltic state with military retaliation. But the targeting of Latvia by the Kremlin, which continues to deploy new tactics in its hybrid war, was no accident.
france24 · about 9 hours ago
Latvia reiterates its position on Ukrainian drones While another drone incursion warning remained in force on Thursday afternoon in eastern districts of Latvia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued its latest statement in response to Russian disinformation efforts.
lsm.lv · about 10 hours ago
Russia delivers nuclear warheads to Belarus as NATO tensions spike Russia has delivered nuclear munitions to field storage facilities in Belarus as part of major nuclear drills amid tensions with European NATO members sparked by drone incursions in the Baltic.
euronews · about 10 hours ago
Ukrainian drones strike Russias Syzran oil refinery, Kyiv says
news.yahoo.com · about 10 hours ago
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theguardian · about 10 hours ago
Putins nuclear build-up on NATOs doorstep: Russia transports nukes to Belarus as allies rehearse strikes on the West The Kremlin confirmed that the drills across Russia and Belarus, involve preparations linked to the Iskander-M tactical missile system - capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
dailymail · about 12 hours ago