Vladimir Putin has said Belarus will join Russia in the second stage of exercises to test the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons – or tactical nukes – as World War 3 and NATO tensions explode.

In the second stage, Belarusian forces are expected to join in the “joint actions; corresponding instructions that have been given to the Ministries of Defense and General Staffs”, according to a post on Telegram.

Last week, Putin ordered the Russian Ministry of Defence to carry out exercises on the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons, also known as tactical nukes.

Russian media quoted the Ministry as stating: “On instructions from the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, in order to increase the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces to carry out combat missions, the General Staff has begun preparations for holding exercises in the near future with missile formations of the Southern Military District with the involvement of aviation, as well as naval forces.”

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said on Telegram: “Belarus will join Russia in the second stage of exercises to test the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons, Putin said.

“This time they are carried out in three stages. At the second stage, Belarusian colleagues will join our joint actions; corresponding instructions have been given to the Ministries of Defense and General Staffs.”

This comes as more troops from Belarus have been sent to the Polish border, sparking concerns for a potential attack. Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko has openly stated his battalions are at “full operational readiness” to stand toe-to-toe with NATO.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said on Telegram: “Belarus will join Russia in the second stage of exercises to test the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons, Putin said.

“This time they are carried out in three stages. At the second stage, Belarusian colleagues will join our joint actions; corresponding instructions have been given to the Ministries of Defense and General Staffs.”

Poland has long been a strategic key point in ongoing tensions with Russia given its border with Belarus and the Kaliningrad enclave, one of the most militarised places in Russia.

Polish President Andrezj Duda has said he will counter any strike from Belarus on its borders.

“If our allies decide to deploy nuclear arms on our territory as part of nuclear sharing, to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank, we are ready to do so”, he said. “I’ve already talked about it several times. I must admit that when asked about it, I declared our readiness.”

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