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Lukashenko says he could launch Russian nuclear weapons - BBC News
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Lukashenko says he could launch Russian nuclear weapons - BBC News

Russia ready to

The transcript begins with a journalist, Steve Rosenberg, reporting from Minsk, Belarus. He mentions that he was one of the few journalists allowed to speak with Alexander Lukashenko, the leader of Belarus.

Steve Rosenberg's Press Conference with Alexander Lukashenko

  • Alexander Lukashenko's press conference had moments of charm and nuclear saber rattling.
  • The central focus of the event was the drama surrounding the Russian Rebellion and the fate of Evgeny Pregosian, the leader of Wagner mercenaries.
  • There are still questions about whether Pregosian and his fighters will move to Belarus as part of an agreement brokered by Lukashenko.
  • As of now, there is no sign of Pregosian or his fighters in Belarus. They may be in camps in Russia or elsewhere.
  • Images leaked online show weapons and gold bars allegedly found during a raid on Pregosian's mansion in Saint Petersburg.
  • Steve Rosenberg asked Lukashenko if he would allow Wagner mercenaries to use Belarusian territory to attack Ukraine or destabilize other countries. Lukashenko denied such intentions but mentioned defending their interests if there is aggression against them.
  • The main question remains unanswered - what is going on with the Wagner Rebellion?

Fate of Evgeny Pregosian and Wagner Fighters

The focus shifts to Gordon Carrera reporting from Kiev, Ukraine. He discusses the fate of Evgeny Pregosian and the Wagner fighters under his command.

Concerns about Pregosian and Wagner Mercenaries

  • The exact whereabouts and fate of Evgeny Pregosian are unclear but considered a sideshow or distraction.
  • There is concern about the effectiveness and future actions of the Wagner mercenary force.
  • The Wagner forces were instrumental in helping the Russians capture Bakmut but have since retreated and handed it over to regular Russian forces.
  • It is unclear how many Wagner fighters are currently in Ukraine, Russia, or Belarus.
  • The focus in Kiev is on the ongoing war, with recent missile strikes and slow progress in the Ukrainian counter-offensive.

Due to the limited content provided in the transcript, these are the main sections that can be summarized.

Video description

The President of Belarus has suggested that he could use tactical nuclear weapons, which are being deployed in his country by Russia. Alexander Lukashenko is a close ally of the Russian President Vladimir Putin and his country served as a launchpad for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Recently President Putin announced that Russian nuclear weapons had been deployed in Belarus. He said they would only be used if the Russian state or its territory was threatened. Speaking to the BBC’s Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg, the Belarus President Lukashenko insisted that he could launch the weapons if he chose to. He said: “In Ukraine a whole army is fighting with foreign weapons, with NATO weapons. So why can’t I fight with someone else’s?” Mr Lukashenko also said that the leader of the Wagner mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin was in Russia. The Wagner leader hasn’t been seen since he staged a mutiny against Russia’s military leadership. Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Steve Rosenberg in Minsk and Gordon Corera in Kyiv. Please subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1rbfUog #BBCNews