MINSK, April 4. /TASS/. Crews from the Belarusian Missile Forces have departed for Russia to undergo practical training on the Iskander-M missile system, the Belarusian Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday.

"The Belarusian servicemen will undergo training at a Russian Armed Forces testing ground. The program will concentrate on further improving their practical skills for preparing the missile system for use while training for its deployment and conducting combat training launches," the Belarusian top brass said.

The crews’ training will include in-depth study of the maintenance and use of tactical nuclear weapons for the Iskander-M missile system, the Belarusian Defense Ministry added.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that, at Minsk’s request, Moscow would deploy its tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, similar to what the United States has been doing for some time on the territories of its allies. According to Putin, the Russian military has been helping their Belarusian counterparts in refitting their aircraft and has already transferred the nuclear-capable Iskander missile system to Belarus.