MOSCOW

Russia and Belarus forces on Tuesday began the second stage of joint non-strategic nuclear exercises, the Defense Ministry in Moscow said.

"In accordance with the decision of the President of the Russian Federation, the second stage of the exercise of non-strategic nuclear forces has begun," the ministry said in a statement.

During the drill, the armed forces of Russia and Belarus will train in the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons in combat, it highlighted.

"The exercises are aimed at maintaining the readiness of personnel and equipment of units for the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons of Russia and Belarus in order to unconditionally ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Union State," it said.

At the previous stage of the joint military drills, held last month in Russia's Southern Military District, Russian and Belarusian servicemen were trained on the process of acquiring specialized ammunition for the Iskander tactical missile system, from the initial stage of getting it ready to the final stage of carrying out strikes.