Russia and Belarus Conduct Joint Nuclear-Capable Missile Drills Amid Rising Tensions
Russia and Belarus have commenced the second stage of a joint military exercise involving the launch of ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The drills, observed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko via video link, are intended to test the readiness of both nations' armies to operate and use nuclear weapons. The exercise includes the launch of a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome and a Zircon hypersonic missile from a frigate in the Barents Sea. Belarusian troops also fired an Iskander ballistic missile from the Kapustin Yar testing site. The drills involve approximately 64,000 troops and a variety of military equipment, including missile launchers, fighter jets, ships, and submarines. 
