Belarus Enhances Missile Capabilities, Warns Citizens Amid Russia Tensions

Belarus and Russia are preparing for joint military exercises in September, raising concerns from Ukraine about potential provocations and heightened threats to regional security. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry warned Belarus against reckless provocations, recalling Belarus's ongoing support for Russia’s aggression since 2022 and urging increased sanctions and vigilance. Belarusian officials, including President Lukashenko and State Secretary Alexander Volfovich, have discussed the potential nuclear armament of Belarus's Polonez multiple launch rocket system, which currently hosts Russian tactical warheads. This consideration marks a significant development in Belarus’s military capabilities, with upgrades to missile ranges and possible integration of Russian hypersonic technologies. Lukashenko has also warned his population to prepare for war, mobilizing new brigades near the Ukrainian border equipped with advanced missile systems like the Oreshnik, which add long-range and nuclear strike capabilities. These developments signal a potential Belarusian role in the conflict, with scenarios including a northern invasion to cut Ukraine’s supply lines from NATO countries, heightening risks for broader regional instability.