Aleksandr Lukashenko said: «Indeed, it is the first joint exercise of the kind. But as for elements, as for the components, it turns out that our general staffs, our defense ministers organize it every quarter of the year. But without us [without the presidents]. Back in winter you and I discussed the possibility of the presidents taking part in it. I absolutely support your stance that we threaten absolutely no one. But we have these weapons and we are ready to defend our joint Fatherland from Brest to Vladivostok by all means. Since we have something in our arms, we should know how to use it.»

The Belarusian head of state contacted the Russian counterpart while at a command post of the Defense Ministry. He had been previously informed about the concept of the ongoing exercise. The relevant steps are being practiced together with the Russian side.

In Osipovichi District Aleksandr Lukashenko examined the motor pool of a missile brigade and visited the commanding officer’s command post. An Iskander-M launch vehicle was demonstrated to the president as well as a simulated nuclear missile strike (an electronic launch). In other words, all the steps were taken the way they would in a genuine combat situation. With one essential minor difference: the actual missile did not launch.