Belarus and Russian Presidents Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin have taken part in a joint military exercise involving the control and deployment of nuclear weapons and nuclear support forces via videoconference.

Axar.az reports, citing BelTA, that the leaders were briefed and observed the exercise of military units responsible for the combat use of strategic and tactical nuclear forces.

According to Lukashenko, the exercise marks the first joint drill of its kind involving both presidents, although similar elements have previously been conducted regularly by the General Staffs and defense ministries of both countries.

“Indeed, it is the first joint exercise of the kind. But as for elements, as for the components, it turns out that our general staffs, our defense ministers organize it every quarter of the year. But without us [without the presidents]. Back in winter you and I discussed the possibility of the presidents taking part in it. I absolutely support your stance that we threaten absolutely no one. But we have these weapons and we are ready to defend our joint Fatherland from Brest to Vladivostok by all means. Since we have something in our arms, we should know how to use it,” Alexander Lukashenko said.