Russia-Belarus joint nuclear drills deepen Moscow's reach over Belarus
Russia and Belarus completed the second stage of joint nuclear-force exercises on May 21, signaling Moscow’s growing leverage over Belarus and a push toward deeper integration, with Lukashenko saying Belarus will not enter the war despite Kremlin pressure. Separately, Ukrainian strikes disrupted several Russian oil refineries and energy infrastructure, constraining Russia’s fuel output even as short-term Middle East oil gains boost revenues; Russia's gold reserves fell again as it taps assets to fund the war. In Ukraine, ISW notes ongoing Russian drone and glide-bomb campaigns across multiple fronts with limited gains, while Ukraine expands air defense with private-sector participation to counter Shahed-type drones.