Russia to supply Belarus with nuclear-capable missile systems

Russia will supply Belarus with nuclear-capable Iskander missile systems within a few months, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday during a televised meeting with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, according to news outlets.  

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko meet in St. Petersburg on Saturday, June 25, 2022.

Photo: EPA/MIKHAIL METZEL/KREMLIN via PAP

"In the next few months, we will transfer Iskander-M missile systems to Belarus which can use both ballistic and cruise missiles and both in ordinary and nuclear versions," Putin said, as quoted by the Nexta news service. 

❗️At a meeting with #Lukashenko, Putin promised to transfer Iskander-M missile systems to #Belarus

"In next few months we will transfer Iskander-M missile systems to Belarus which can use both ballistic and cruise missiles and both in ordinary and nuclear versions," said #Putin. pic.twitter.com/cw8PT3tQk9

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 25, 2022

At the meeting, which was held in the Russian city of St. Petersburg, Lukashenko told Putin that Belarus was concerned by "aggressive," "confrontational" and "repulsive" policies of its NATO neighbours Lithuania and Poland, the Reuters news agency reported.

Reuters: Putin powiedział Łukaszence, że dostarczy Białorusi pociski Iskander.#PAPinformacje https://t.co/5p4F39TIcA

— PAP (@PAPinformacje) June 25, 2022

The Iskander-M is a mobile guided missile system with a range of up to 500 km. The missiles can carry conventional or nuclear warheads, according to Reuters.

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Source: PAP, Reuters, Nexta