Against the backdrop of Putin's statements about deploying tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus and the affirmations from his puppet Lukashenko, the question arises regarding the practical feasibility of implementing these intentions in terms of transport capabilities and logistics.
There is a certain difference between types of nuclear weapons (warheads), which are conventionally divided into strategic and tactical.
Tactical nuclear weapons are designed to destroy enemy personnel and equipment on the battlefield. They have a relatively short range and much lower yield (estimated at up to 30-40 kilotons of TNT equivalent) compared to nuclear warheads mounted on long-range strategic missiles. The latter possess yields exceeding those mentioned and are capable of completely destroying entire cities, wiping them off the face of the Earth.
Tactical nuclear munitions have smaller mass and dimensional characteristics and can be transported to their deployment location by virtually any mode of transport: water, road, air, or rail.
For quite obvious reasons, the use of water transport to deliver this type of armament from Russia to Belarus is not expedient.
Movement by air or road transport does not provide a sufficient level of security and secrecy that can be achieved using rail. Moreover, a large number of different types of railcars can be employed to transport tactical warheads, and even specially equipped containers that are externally indistinguishable from ordinary ones.
Given the above, it can be stated with a high degree of certainty that tactical nuclear munitions will be delivered to Belarus in precisely this manner.
Rail transport is carried out by designated trains consisting of freight railcars, including containers, a locomotive, escort railcars for accommodating armed guards and service personnel, as well as buffer railcars. The railcars are equipped with specialized systems ensuring monitoring and physical protection of the transported cargo.
Specialized railcars designed for transporting nuclear munitions (oversized railcar V-60 (V-60M), intended for transporting, among other things, warheads of combat missiles):
Trains intended for transporting nuclear munitions are virtually indistinguishable in appearance from an ordinary freight train.
Equipment layout inside the V-60 (V-60M) model railcar designed for transporting nuclear munitions:
According to official statements, tactical nuclear warheads for the Iskander-M operational-tactical missile systems will be delivered to Belarus—so-called tactical special munitions.
For Belarusian Su-24M frontline bombers, modernized by the Russian side to enable carrying tactical nuclear munitions, delivery of corresponding tactical nuclear charges for Kh-58U type missiles is planned, which are part of the armament of aircraft in this series and can be equipped with nuclear warheads.
The probable stations of origin for tactical nuclear munitions on Russian territory are:
- Station Sarov (Gorky Railway). City of Sarov (formerly Arzamas-16) – ❗most probable station of origin;
- Station Mir (Sverdlovsk Railway). City of Lesnoy (formerly Sverdlovsk-45);
- Station Krasnaya Gorka (South Ural Railway). City of Trekhgorny (formerly Zlatoust-36);
- Station Seliksa (Kuybyshev Railway). City of Zarechny (formerly Penza-19).
Consignor: 12th Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Russia.
The management of Belarusian Railway, together with security agencies, has conducted a series of preparatory measures that serve as indirect confirmation of intentions to import this type of armament.
A large number of inspections of Belarusian Railway infrastructure security against possible interference by third parties have been conducted and continue to be conducted. Particular attention in such inspections is given to the organization of railway bridge security.
Reserve camouflaged control centers and Belarusian Railway traffic management facilities (reserve control centers) are being reactivated and brought into operational condition. Secret communications facilities and line equipment rooms at all Belarusian Railway divisions are being restored and brought to full operational readiness. They are being prepared for prolonged continuous occupation by railway management, representatives of security agencies, and service personnel.
In addition, so-called “personnel purges” are being conducted. At any suspicion of disloyalty to the current regime, absolutely any railway worker, regardless of their value, will be immediately dismissed. The recent wave of dismissals among Belarusian Railway Paramilitary Guard personnel is clear confirmation of this.
Furthermore, Belarusian Railway management has decided to additionally arm a large number of personnel from the Paramilitary Guard in order to ensure the highest level of security for infrastructure, rolling stock, and cargo. Dismissals in this structure are also motivated by this factor.
Ultimately, it can be said that Belarusian Railway has completed almost all preparatory work aimed at ensuring the security and secrecy of transporting tactical nuclear weapons from Russia to Belarus.
❗Nevertheless, to date, no instances of tactical nuclear weapons being imported by rail into Belarus from Russia have been recorded by us. Operational monitoring of the situation continues. Upon receiving such information, corresponding updates will be provided.
