The agreement on the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus testifies, first of all, that the Russian Federation plans further conquest of the Belarusian defense sphere.

This opinion was expressed by analysts of the Institute for the Study of War.

According to the Institute, the "nuclear" agreement actually consolidates Russia's military control over Belarus, however, its deployment does not mean an escalation by the Russian Federation.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, signing the relevant document on May 25, stressed that now Belarusian aircraft are capable of carrying nuclear warheads. At the same time, Kremlin President Putin is convinced that such actions will strengthen information operations regarding potential nuclear escalation due to the war in Ukraine.

"Russia has long possessed nuclear weapons capable of hitting any target, which could also be hit by tactical nuclear weapons launched from Belarus, and ISW continues to believe that Putin is extremely unlikely to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine or elsewhere," the analysts said.

The Russian Defense Ministry added that they would send additional military contingents to Belarus to develop military infrastructure.

"The deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus requires both significant military infrastructure and Russian command and control over units of the Belarusian armed forces. The Kremlin probably intends to use these demands to further subjugate the Belarusian defense sphere to Russia," analysts said in a report.

Recall, Russia and Belarus signed a document on the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. At the same time, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that Russia would exercise control, as well as decide on its use.

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