Ukraine braces as Russia says nuclear weapons sent to Belarus for drills

World Ukraine bolsters border security as Russia says nuclear munitions sent to Belarus for exercises May 21, 2026 / 8:05 AM EDT / CBS/AFP Add CBS News on Google Kyiv — Ukraine is implementing "enhanced security measures in the northern regions" near its border with Belarus as Russia holds joint nuclear drills with its close ally, for which Moscow says "nuclear munitions were delivered" to field storage facilities.Kyiv announced the heightened security posture along its northern border Thursday after warning for weeks of a possible fresh attack coming from Belarus, Russia's chief regional ally. Kyiv has sounded the alarm that Russia may use Belarus — which it used as a springboard to launch its ongoing, full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 — to stage a new offensive from the north, including toward the capital Kyiv. Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said its units and the army were "carrying out a comprehensive set of enhanced security measures in the northern regions of our country." CBS News The measures — including stepped up checks and controls of individuals and properties — "will serve as an effective deterrent to any aggressive actions or operations by the enemy and its ally," the SBU said in a statement. The Kremlin on Monday dismissed Ukrainian allegations that it wanted to drag Belarus further into the war as "an attempt at further incitement."But on Thursday, Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement that, "as part of the nuclear forces exercise" taking place with Belarus, "nuclear munitions were delivered to the field storage facilities of the [Russian] missile brigade's position" in the country. Service members mount a missile on a Russian Iskander-M missile launcher during nuclear forces exercises at an unidentified location in Belarus, in a still image taken from video released May 21, 2026 by the Russian Defense Ministry. RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTRY/Reuters A video posted Thursday on social media by Belarus' M...