Putin risks by deploying nuclear weapons in Belarus – Belarusian opposition

He said this in an interview with Radio Liberty.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin is taking a risk by deploying nuclear weapons in Belarus, because the de facto ruler of this country, Alexander Lukashenko, can take possession of them," Azarov said.

The head of the Belarusian opposition initiative ByPol also added that Lukashenko is an unpredictable person and can use nuclear weapons even against Russia.

"Lukashenko may use it in negotiations with Russia. That's why the Russians have repeatedly stated that if nuclear weapons are delivered, they will be delivered only under Russian control. The Ukrainian counteroffensive, I hope, will be successful. And when Lukashenko sees that the Kremlin is no longer up to him, he will be able to take possession of these weapons. This is a big risk for Russia. I think the Russians understand this and are calculating it," Azarov emphasised.

• On March 25, Vladimir Putin said that a storage facility for Russian tactical nuclear weapons would be completed in Belarus by July 1. And self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko declared his readiness to accept strategic nuclear weapons from Russia, if necessary.

• The Institute for the Study of War reported that Putin announced the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus in order to intimidate the West and reduce the effectiveness of Ukraine's counteroffensive.

• NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said that the placement of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus will make Putin more unpopular in Belarus. Mykhailo Podolyak noted that this step proves that Putin is afraid of losing the war.

• Vladimir Putin said that a storage facility for Russian tactical nuclear weapons will be completed in Belarus by July 1.

• The Institute for the Study of War reported that Putin announced the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus in order to scare the West and reduce the effectiveness of Ukraine's counteroffensive.