First batch of Russia’s tactical nuclear weapons is in Belarus – US intel officials

CNN reported on this, referring to senior DIA officials.

Last month at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin stated that "the first [Russian] nuclear warheads were delivered to the territory of Belarus," adding that they were positioned there for "deterrence."

According to the Federation of American Scientists, Russia has around 4,477 deployed and reserve nuclear warheads, including approximately 1,900 tactical nuclear weapons. It is unclear how much of Russia's arsenal Putin intends to move, and neither the US nor Western officials have publicly verified that any weapons have been transferred to Belarus.

Senior DIA officials, however, told a small group of reporters on Friday that analysts have "no reason to doubt" Putin's statements and "that they have had some success" in moving the weapons.

The officials refused to explain why they believe this. They recognized that the weapons are tough to track, even with satellite photography.

US and Western officials told CNN earlier this month that Belarus did not appear to have completed the necessary storage facilities to house tactical nuclear weapons, and that available satellite imagery showed no signs of the kind of preparations and security that would be expected at a Russian nuclear facility.

However, other sources informed CNN that there are several places in Belarus dating back to the Soviet era that might potentially hold some of the weapons.

When asked if he had seen indicators that Russia had transferred the weapons, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told last week that the UK had "seen signs of this progressing" and that Putin "doesn't always lie." 

Earlier this month, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller declined to answer questions regarding the location of the weapons, but said the US expects Russia to "uphold" its nonproliferation responsibilities.

“I will say that we continue to actively monitor reports of the Russia-Belarus arrangement to ensure that Russia maintains control of its weapons in the event of any deployment to Belarus and upholds its obligations under the Treaty on the Non Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,” he said during a briefing on July 11. “We will be paying close attention to any deviation by Russia.”

The self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said last month that in the face of aggression, he would show “no hesitation” in using the Russian tactical nuclear weapons stationed in Belarus.

• Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has said that Russia will deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus after July 7-8, when the necessary facilities will be prepared for it
• Lukashenko says that Belarus has already started receiving nuclear weapons from Russia
• According to Serhiy Bulba, a public figure and founder of the White Legion organization, Russia has developed a concept to engage in a conflict with NATO. Belarus may have hosted Topol-M strategic nuclear complex with 12,000 km range