In the event of a conflict with its neighbors, Belarus will use tactical nuclear weapons on the first day
The new Military Doctrine of Belarus introduces the concept of an immediate military threat, which regulates the country's use of tactical nuclear weapons (TNW).
Andrei Bogodel, head of the educational and methodological department of the General Staff Faculty of the Military Academy of Belarus, stated this in an interview with the BelTA news agency, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“This is what Putin said: if a fight is unavoidable, strike first. An important aspect here is the procedure for deterrence using tactical nuclear weapons. This is the first time we are prescribing this. It must be said that we do not have great strategic depth, but we see what groups can be created around us. And if we do not use tactical nuclear weapons in the event of an intervention against us on the first day, we will not be allowed to use them on the second day,” Bogodel said.
He noted that the doctrine lists not only NATO countries, but also Ukraine as unfriendly countries.
“There are a very large number of states around us that have long ago adopted many conceptual documents and strategies that determine the attitude towards us and our closest ally Russia. When we looked at all these NATO concepts and strategies, it turned out that many see us as a real enemy. Should we have responded? Undoubtedly! We had to show how, under these conditions, we would ensure our military security,” Bogodel said.