Russia Again Says It Is Prepared to Use Nuclear Weapons to Defend the Union State

Russia has again declared its readiness to use nuclear weapons to defend the Union State. This time, the statement was made by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin.

“The modalities of interaction between the armed forces of Russia and Belarus, as well as between the security agencies of Russia and Belarus, are being continuously improved. We remain in constant readiness to employ all means, including nuclear ones, to ensure the security of the Union State,” he told Izvestia.

According to him, “Moscow and Minsk are continuously improving the entire framework of cooperation in defence and security in accordance with the treaty on mutual security guarantees within the Union State. The document was signed in December 2024 and provides for an obligation to support one another in the event of threats to the security of either country.”

The article in the Russian newspaper also emphasises that NATO conducted more than 120 military exercises in 2025, while more than 700 additional exercises took place at the national level. It claims that most of these drills were held “near the borders of the Union State.” It also notes that the total strength of NATO coalition forces in Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Estonia has nearly doubled since February 2022 and now stands at approximately 22,000 troops.

Citing Belarusian Air Force and Air Defence Commander Andrei Lukyanovich, the article claims that “the number of provocations involving drones is also increasing.”

The article states that the Belarusian Armed Forces number between 63,000 and 65,000 personnel. It further argues that “the Belarusian army is sufficiently effective because it possesses modern weapons and a developed defence industry,” and that Russia is capable of increasing the size of its forces in Belarus.

“It is important to bear in mind that in the event of a military confrontation with NATO, Moscow and Minsk would first face the armies of Poland and the Baltic states, as well as troops from other alliance members deployed on their territory. The alliance’s main forces would require time to reach Eastern Europe. Therefore, the Suwałki Corridor, which separates Belarus from the Kaliningrad Region, plays a key role. It is precisely this territory that NATO states pay particular attention to in their plans to blockade the Russian region,” the article states.

The presence of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus and the Oreshnik missile system are described in the article as elements of strategic deterrence.

“Despite the special military operation in Ukraine, Moscow is making it clear that it is capable of protecting its key ally. A military conflict with the forces of the Union State in the centre of Europe would lead to enormous destruction and casualties in neighbouring NATO countries. Therefore, the strengthening of forces near Belarus’s borders and provocations appear to be an attempt by the European members of the North Atlantic Alliance to exert pressure on Minsk and divert Russia’s attention,” the article says.