DISINFO: Nuclear weapons in Belarus are justified because of territorial claims of Poland and the Baltic states
SUMMARY
There are many good reasons to deploy the Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. The growing militarisation of Poland and the UK’s decision to supply Ukraine with depleted uranium munitions are among them. Furthermore, revanchist ideas concerning Russian territories exist in Poland and the Baltic states and Polish authorities have territorial claims towards Belarus.
RESPONSE
The article provides false pretexts for stationing Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus, attempting to manipulate in the context of nuclear fearmongering.
It contains the “aggressive Poland” and, more broadly, the “anti-Russian West” disinformation narratives. Neither Poland nor the Baltic states have territorial claims towards Belarus or Russia. In contrast, Russia maintains territorial claims towards Ukraine and has violated its territorial integrity.
The ongoing modernisation of the Polish Army and purchases of advanced military equipment is a Polish response to the current security crisis taking place in Eastern Europe – this situation is a result of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. The 2020 National Security Strategy of Poland states that the most serious security threat to this country is the neo-imperial policy of the Russian Federation, pursued by means of military force (aggression against Georgia, illegal annexation of Crimea and military actions in eastern Ukraine).
The depleted uranium argument is also used to sabre-rattle with its nuclear arsenal. Read a more detailed debunk concerning the depleted uranium claim.
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”.
Read earlier disinformation cases alleging that the UK delivery of depleted uranium tank shells will lead to a nuclear catastrophe, that the UK will supply Ukraine with taboo genocidal weapons, and that Poland is eyeing to annex western Ukraine and Belarus.
This disinformation claim was broadcast on the date mentioned above. Due to the EU decisions to temporarily restrict the spread and dissemination of RT, Sputnik and other instruments used to manipulate information and promote disinformation about the invasion of Ukraine inside the EU, access to the link may not work inside the EU.