US Intel Officials Confirm Russia's Nuclear Weapons in Belarus

US intelligence officials have stated that they have "no reason to doubt" Russian President Vladimir Putin's claim that Russia has moved a first batch of tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus for deterrence. While the exact number of weapons transferred is unclear, the officials believe that Russia has had some success in moving them. However, US and Western officials have not publicly confirmed the transfer, and satellite imagery has not shown signs of necessary preparations and security at potential storage facilities. The US expects Russia to uphold its nonproliferation obligations, and while Belarusian President Aleksander Lukashenko has expressed willingness to use the weapons, the officials believe that Russia would maintain control over them. The officials do not believe the transfer would significantly alter the global nuclear landscape or increase the risk of a nuclear incident.