French President Emmanuel Macron called Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko following joint nuclear drills conducted by Belarus and Russia, according to Oleg Gaidukevich, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Belarus. Gaidukevich stated the drills prompted the call, convincing European leaders of the need to talk.
French President Macron's call to Belarusian leader Lukashenko was spurred by joint Russia-Belarus nuclear drills, according to Belarusian MP Oleg Gaidukevich. Gaidukevich believes the EU will be forced to increase dialogue with Minsk as other pressure methods have failed.
Joint Russia-Belarus nuclear drills and Putin's China visit are a warning to aggressive NATO states. Latvia and Estonia reported shooting down Ukrainian drones, with officials expressing displeasure but attempting to distance themselves from the situation.
Russian and Belarusian nuclear deterrence exercises, Cuba's preparations for potential US tensions, and Moscow's pursuit of a new US-Russia relations model dominated Russian newspaper headlines.
Russia and Belarus have demonstrated their defense capabilities and readiness to protect sovereignty through joint nuclear deterrence exercises, according to Valentina Matviyenko, Speaker of the Russian Federation Council. She stated that while both nations prefer peaceful negotiations, they are prepared to defend themselves against any attempts at dictation or domination.
Lithuania alerted to a drone from Belarus, tennis star Aryna Sabalenka spoke against the war in Ukraine, and Belarus conducted nuclear drills with Russia. Security forces also targeted 2020 protesters in Mogilev.
Ukrainian drones struck the Syzran oil refinery in Russia, over 800km inside the country, causing a fire and killing two people. President Zelenskyy stated this is part of a broader plan targeting Russian oil revenues amid escalating attacks.
Russia and Belarus conducted joint tactical nuclear drills on May 21, the first of its kind according to Putin. The exercise showcased Russia's nuclear capabilities amid its ongoing "special military operation" in Ukraine. Lukashenko reiterated Belarus's non-involvement in the war.
Russian military experts describe ongoing nuclear drills with Belarus as a 'silent dialogue' with Western countries, intended to deter threats and demonstrate readiness for nuclear strike if existence is threatened. NATO is monitoring but not commenting.
A Russian military correspondent described the country's ongoing nuclear drills as a "silent dialogue" with Western nations, suggesting European leaders have become complacent about the possibility of using weapons of mass destruction.
A Russian military correspondent described the country's ongoing nuclear drills as a "silent dialogue" with Western nations who have seemingly forgotten the possibility of using weapons of mass destruction. The drills involve over 64,000 troops.
Russian newspapers highlight Putin's Beijing visit to strengthen ties and promote a multipolar world, large-scale nuclear exercises to bolster deterrence, and the US delay of strikes on Iran amid ongoing tensions. Ukraine's corruption scandals and their impact on Western funding are also noted.
Russia and Belarus began large-scale nuclear triad drills on May 19, demonstrating readiness amid "aggression threats" while President Putin is in China. Experts see this as a signal to the West about nuclear capabilities and a response to NATO's Nuclear Sharing.
Russian military correspondent Yevgeny Poddubny described Russia's nuclear drills as a "silent dialogue" with the West, aiming to remind leaders of the potential use of nuclear weapons.
Russia begins three-day nuclear weapons drills involving thousands of soldiers nationwide. Meanwhile, Ukraine intensifies drone attacks, hitting an industrial plant in Yaroslavl. President Putin visits China amid ongoing conflict.
Russia launched nationwide nuclear drills as Ukraine and Russia exchanged cross-border drone attacks. Ukraine reported over 500 drones and missiles targeting multiple regions, wounding civilians. Russia also reported drone attacks, including one in Kursk that killed a woman.
Russia's Defense Ministry announced nuclear readiness drills from May 19-21, involving over 64,000 personnel, strategic missile forces, long-range aviation, 200 missile launchers, and 8 strategic submarines. The drills will include discussions on joint training and the use of nuclear weapons in Belarus, with ballistic and cruise missile launches.
Russia and Belarus began joint nuclear drills on Monday, involving the preparation and use of nuclear munitions. Ukraine's President Zelenskyy warned of a potential new offensive from Belarus, while the Kremlin dismissed the claims as incitement. The exercises occur amid heightened nuclear rhetoric from Russia and the expiration of the New START treaty.
Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that France and Poland's planned joint military drills involving Rafale fighters equipped with nuclear warheads would cause irreparable damage to the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. The drills, scheduled for the Baltic Sea and northern Poland, will be discussed at the NPT Review Conference in New York.
