Moscow sends nuclear warheads to Belarus, Bakhmut handed over to Russia in latest from Ukraine War

The Ukraine-Russia war has entered its 457th day on May 26, 2023. As the war continues to drag on. there are multiple important development that have come forth in the last 24 hours. 

Belarus confirms storing of Russian nuclear weapons

• Russia has begun to move its tactical nuclear warheads into Belarus in accordance with an announcement in March, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed. The weapons could have already arrived according to reports. 
• It is unclear how many Russian nuclear warheads are being stored in Belarus. These weapons reportedly have a short range and can be deployed to destroy enemy troops. 

#UPDATE Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday that Russia had begun moving nuclear weapons to its ally Belarus, after Russian leader Vladimir Putin announced plans to transfer them in March. pic.twitter.com/BpEGkbQ4N5

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 25, 2023

• Belarus has remained a Russian ally since the Ukraine invasion, allowing Russian troops to enter Ukraine through its borders. Ukraine's capital Kyiv is also close to the Belarus border. 
• This is also the first time since the fall of the Soviet Union that Russian nuclear weapons have been moved outside of Russia. 
• It once again gives rise to fears of nuclear weapon use in the war. 

The Battle for Bakhmut

• Bakhmut, a city near the eastern Ukrainian and Russian border, has seen one of the bloodiest battles of the war so far. The fighting was led by the infamous Wagner mercenary group for Russia. 

Prigozhin said two of Wagner mercenaries will remain in Bakhmut and asked them "not to hurt the military".

Do you think Wagner leaving Bakhmut might become a turning point on the frontlines? pic.twitter.com/WcbAJDEgP5

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) May 25, 2023

• The Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin announced that they are transferring the control to Russian troops and his troops are withdrawing from the region. He had earlier vowed to complete the power transfer by June 1. 
• Winning Bakhmut has been a point of symbolic victory for Russia. However, Ukraine says it still controls parts of the region. 
• And according to some analysts, Wagner boss Prigozhin is likely positioning himself as an alternative to Putin. He has criticised top-ranking Russian military generals for their handling of situations. 

[ALSO READ: Russia claims Ukraine tried to kill Putin]

US says Russia won't win the war

• Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley said that Russia will not win the war and it is also unlikely for Ukraine to be able to push back all Russian troops from its territory. 

Russia will not win this war, the goal of Ukraine is to liberate all of its territory, - the head of the US chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley, after the Ramstein meeting. pic.twitter.com/QCbGiXdQus

— Spriter (@Spriter99880) May 25, 2023

• On the other hand, Putin's ally and former President Dmitry Medvedev said that the war in Ukraine could potentially go on for decades. 

• Medvedev is known for his hardline views on Ukraine. He also once said that if Russia were to lose, it would trigger a nuclear war. 

Iranian drones shot down

• On Thursday, Ukraine said that it had shot down all 36 Iranian drones launched by Russia. The drones were launched in overnight attacks targetting infrastructure and military facilities. 

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