One of Vladimir Putin's closest worldwide allies has mentioned Russia has began shifting tactical nuclear warheads to Belarus for storage.

Alexander Lukashenko, the nation's president, added that it was doable that the lethal weapons had already been transported there.

Putin's fellow Eastern European dictator made the revelation throughout a gathering of the Eurasian Economic Forum in Moscow.

He mentioned: “We had to prepare storage facilities and the rest over there (in Belarus). We’ve done all of that. This is why the relocation of nuclear munitions began.

When questioned if the weapons had been moved already, he replied: “Maybe. I will go and take a look.”

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The despot's feedback have been made hours after officers from Russia and Belarus signed a pact that permits Moscow to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, the Guardian stories.

The transfer might elevate the stakes of any future political turmoil in Belarus, which was beset by mass demonstrations towards Lukashenko and his authorities between 2020 and 2021.

Moscow has defended the plan to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on overseas soil, claiming to have been pressured into the transfer by provocation from Western allies of Ukraine offering it with assist.

The Kremlin says it can retain management over the tactical nuclear weapons, which can be launched on Iskander-M missiles or from Su-25 planes, each of which Belarus has in its arsenal.

Belarus shares a border with three nations which can be members of Nato and has missiles that might attain quite a few capital cities.

The deal brings the armies of Russia and Belarus nearer togather as Moscow seeks a stronger alliance with Minsk. Some specialists are predicting an eventual lack of sovereignty from Belarus to its greater, extra highly effective neighbour.

Russia's defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, mentioned the 2 nations would search for different methods to combine their militaries.