A New York Times analysis on Friday showed that new security features at a munitions depot in Belarus disclosed the existence of facilities capable of housing nuclear warheads and missile launchers.
The Cold War-era base now has a new air defense system, a distinct security checkpoint and three rings of fences protecting a bunker.
If Russia decides to move nuclear weapons to Belarus, it would be the first time since 1991 it has stored them outside the country.
The New York Times reports:
Russia already has nuclear warheads on its own soil that are close to Ukraine and NATO countries, but by basing some in Belarus, the Kremlin appears to be trying to accentuate its nuclear threat and bolster its nuclear deterrent.
Russia's president, Vladimir V. Putin, made reference to such a site early last year, saying Russia would soon be completing the construction of “special storage for tactical nuclear weapons” in Belarus.
The New York Times analyzed satellite imagery and photos, and spoke with nuclear weapons and arms control experts, to track the new construction, which started in March 2023.
The site is 120 miles north of the Ukrainian border at a military depot next to the town of Asipovichy. Some of the recently built structures there have features that are unique to nuclear storage facilities at bases inside Russia. For example, a new, highly secure area is surrounded by three layers of fencing, in addition to the existing security perimeter of the entire base. Another telltale sign is a covered loading area connected to what appears to be a concealed Soviet-era underground bunker.
Hans Kristensen, the director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, analyzed the evidence and stated that the upgrades “appear designed to unnerve NATO's easternmost member states.” However, he added that these upgrades won't provide Russia with “a significant new military advantage in the region.”
On Monday, the Kremlin announced it would hold drills with troops to train for the possible use of tactical nuclear weapons. NATO officials called the announcement “irresponsible.”
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