 Belarus receives aircraft and Iskandar missiles capable of delivering nuclear strikes. Sergei Shoigu, Russian Minister of Defense, claimed that Belarus already has at its disposal assault aircraft and Iskandar M missile systems capable of delivering nuclear strikes. Shoigu said this on a conference call with the leadership of the Russian armed forces. Half of the Belarusian assault planes now have the capability of striking enemy targets with nuclear means of destruction. In addition, the Iskandar M operational tactical missile system was transferred to the armed forces of Belarus. It can use both conventional and nuclear warheads, Shoigu said. On the 3rd of April, Belarusian units began training in the procedure of using Iskandar M to protect allied countries at one of the Russian training grounds. He also added, Russian President Vladimir Putin said last month that he plans to station Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Last week, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that Moscow could also deploy strategic nuclear weapons if the need arises. Russia will move its tactical nuclear weapons close to the western borders of Belarus. The Russian envoy to Minsk said placing them at NATO's threshold in a move likely to further escalate Moscow's standoff with the West. The weapons will be moved to the western border of our Union state and will increase the possibilities to ensure security. Russian ambassador to Belarus Boris Grizlov told Belarusian state television.