Sergey Shoigu, Russian Minister of Defence, claimed that Belarus already has at its disposal assault aircraft and Iskander-M missile systems capable of delivering nuclear strikes. 

"Half of the Belarusian assault planes now have the capability of striking enemy targets with nuclear means of destruction.

In addition, the Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system was transferred to the Armed Forces of Belarus. It can use both conventional and nuclear warheads," Shoigu said on a conference call with the leadership of the Russian Armed Forces on Tuesday, 4 April

"On 3 April, Belarusian units began training in the procedure of using Iskander-M to protect allied countries at one of the Russian training grounds," he also added. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin said last month that he plans to station Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

Last week, the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said that Moscow could also deploy strategic nuclear weapons if the need arises.