DISINFO: Russian nukes deployment to Belarus was forced response to escalation from the West
SUMMARY
The deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus was a forced response to another escalation from the West, to the start of deliveries of depleted uranium projectiles to Ukraine, despite numerous warnings from Russia about the inevitable consequences of such a step.
RESPONSE
Framing the attempts to deploy nuclear weapons to Belarus as a “response to another escalation from the West” is an argument meant to justify Russia’s nuclear scaremongering, part of a wider disinformation campaign aiming to coerce Western nations to cease aid to Ukraine for its self-defence against Russian aggression.
The article also tries to create a false equivalence between depleted uranium tank rounds and nuclear weapons, in an attempt to manipulate in the context of nuclear fearmongering. Depleted uranium has a higher density than ordinary steel; about 2,5 times and about 1,5 times more dense than lead. This allows a tank shell to gain more momentum and penetrate armour more effectively. See also more facts about depleted uranium shells here.
On March 21, 2023, the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom already answered Russian claims about the deployment of depleted uranium shells to Ukraine and the interpretation of such kind of ammunition as a “nuclear weapon”. “It is a standard component and has nothing to do with nuclear weapons or capabilities. Russia knows this, but is deliberately trying to disinform”, says a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence of the UK.
Reacting to the deployment of a nuclear weapon in Belarus announced by Russia, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, HRVP Josep Borrell wrote on Twitter: “Belarus hosting Russian nuclear weapons would mean an irresponsible escalation & threat to European security. Belarus can still stop it, it is their choice. The EU stands ready to respond with further sanctions”.
Although Vladimir Putin stated on 25 March 2023 that Russia will station nuclear weapons on Belarusian facilities whose construction will be ready by 1 July - an allegation repeated afterwards by other Russian and Belarusian officials-, experts are very sceptic about the feasibility of this move, as there is no indication of any step taken in this regard.
See other examples of disinformation about nuclear issues: UK delivery of depleted uranium tank shells will lead to a nuclear catastrophe; Radioactive substances brought to Ukraine could be used to make a “dirty bomb”; Containers with radioactive substances were delivered from Europe to Ukraine for a provocation to accuse Russia.