MINSK, May 18. /TASS/. Belarus has kicked off a military exercise for the combat use of nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons logistical support involving missile troops and the Air Force, the press office of the Belarusian Defense Ministry reported.

"In order to raise the preparedness of the armed forces for the use of advanced means of destruction, including special munitions, an exercise has begun today under the direction of the chief of the General Staff, first deputy defense minister of the Republic of Belarus for military units assigned with the combat use of nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons logistical support," the press office said in a statement.

Belarusian military units assigned with the combat use of nuclear weapons are practicing interoperability with Russia for the delivery of nuclear munitions during the exercise, it said.

"Military units of missile troops and aviation are involved in the exercise. The drills are set to practice the delivery of nuclear munitions and their preparation for use in interaction with the Russian side," the press office reported.

A key feature of the exercise is to check the preparedness of troops for accomplishing the tasks of combat use from unprepared areas across the entire territory of the Republic of Belarus, it said.

The exercise will focus on practicing "stealthiness, movement to considerable distances and calculations for the use of forces and capabilities," the press office specified.

The exercise is a scheduled event of troop training as part of Russia-Belarus Union State measures. It is not directed against any other countries and does not pose a threat to security in the region, it stressed.