Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Friday, June 16, the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus, during an economic forum in Saint Petersburg. During his speech, he referred to his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, as a “disgrace to the Jewish people”.
President Vladimir Putin on Friday confirmed Russia had sent nuclear arms to its ally Belarus which borders Ukraine.
The Russian leader had announced the plans to send tactical nuclear weapons, less powerful than strategic ones, in March.
Tactical nuclear arms are battlefield weapons that, while devastating, have a smaller yield compared to long-range strategic weapons.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has allowed his territory, which borders Ukraine as well as EU and NA members Poland and Lithuania, to serve as a launch pad for Russia’s Ukraine offensive.
Belarusian troops began training on nuclear-capable Russian missile systems in April.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said Ukraine’s counteroffensive would fail as Kyiv’s troops sought to advance in several directions, including the southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia.
Putin claimed Ukraine’s armed forces were suffering “heavy losses”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who is Jewish, was a “disgrace” to people of his faith.
AFP and representatives of other countries the Kremlin deems “unfriendly” were not accredited to cover the forum.
Moscow claims Ukraine’s treatment of Russian speakers in the western-backed country is comparable to the actions of Nazi Germany.
These allegations have been contested by the Ukrainian government and the country’s Jewish community.
Khalil Wakim, with AFP
