On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin designated Belarus as a nuclear power, lauding it as a significant advancement. This announcement came as Belarus commissioned its second nuclear power plant in November of the previous year, meeting 40% of the country’s electricity needs.
The nuclear power plant, housing the Russian VVER-1200 reactor, was a collaborative effort between the Russian atomic energy firm Rosatom and Belarus. The initial reactor commenced power generation in November 2020. At that time, Rosatom stated its assumption of responsibility for the unit’s equipment operability during the warranty period as per contractual obligations.
Capable of generating 2,400 megawatts of electricity, the plant drew praise from Putin, who described it as a substantial stride forward. The construction of the power plant, located in Ostrovet in the Grodno region, not only fulfilled energy needs but also sparked a new industry in Belarus, leading Putin to assert that the country had indeed become a nuclear power.
Initiated in 2013 and completed in 2023 by Rosatom subsidiary Atomstroyexport, this Belarusian nuclear power plant represents the first station outside Russia utilizing Rosatom’s nuclear reactors of the 3+ generation, according to Russian media RIA Novosti.
In a related development from June of the preceding year, Putin disclosed that Russia had deployed its tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus amid rising tensions with the West due to Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine. Putin emphasized that while the weapons had been sent, there was no immediate need to resort to their use. This marked the first instance of Russia stationing nuclear weapons beyond its borders since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1992.
Putin clarified that the deployment was a warning to the West about supporting Ukraine, serving as a deterrent against those contemplating strategic defeat for Russia. The move aimed to ensure that those considering such actions would be mindful of the potential consequences.