Putin: Nothing unusual in nuclear tactical weapons exercises

Russia's Defence Ministry said on Monday it would practice delocation of these weapons to the south of Russia, along with Belarus, after the threatening “declarations” from the West.

There is nothing unusual here, this is a planned job, it's a” exercise, Putin said, state news agency TASS reported.

Last year, he said Moscow has transferred some nuclear tactical weapons to Belarus.

It has been their first move outside Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Speaking Thursday alongside Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin said he has suggested Belarus engage in one of the parts of the planned exercises.

“Sic told me even the Russian Defence Minister, we have already begun to implement these” guidelines, Lukasenko said.

When exactly the training is held, it's not clear.

The role of strategic nuclear weapons is to hit enemy targets off the front line, while nuclear tactical weapons have been created to be used in the battlefields.

Russia has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world.

Russia's Defence Ministry said the exercises are aimed at boosting the capabilities of the Russian Army “to ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Russian state”, in response to “The provocative and threats of Western officials to the Russian Federation”.

It did not specify any more, but last week France's President Emmanuel Macron reiterated the statement that his country cannot rule out sending troops to Ukraine to help him in the war. /rel/