Lukashenko says Belarus may host strategic nuclear weapons too

He made the statement during a speech on March 31 in Minsk.

"If necessary, strategic nuclear weapons will be brought to Belarus," Lukashenko said.

At the same time, he reiterated that his country has no intention of attacking anyone, but is ready to defend itself in case of a threat.

"We will not proactively cross the border of Belarus. Never. Our land is enough for us. We are not going to attack anyone. But we will not allow the boot of a foreign soldier or an unfriendly foreigner to cross our border. If this happens, we will respond symmetrically and adequately. We have enough other weapons to resist. But if we see that the destruction of the country lies behind this, we will use everything we have," said the self-proclaimed president of Belarus.

He noted that he had instructed to immediately restore the sites where Topol missile systems were previously located in the country.

Reference: Tactical nuclear weapons are small nuclear warheads and delivery systems intended for use on the battlefield or for a limited strike. They are designed to destroy enemy targets in a specific area without massive radioactive fallout. Strategic nuclear weapons have a larger radius of destruction and are delivered by cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as by aircraft.

• Russia is building a storage facility for tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.