Russia Deploys ‘Oreshnik’ Nuclear Missiles in Belarus to cover Europe

Darwin, 31 December:

Russia has deployed its domestically developed nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles in neighboring Belarus, according to a report by the British daily The Guardian, citing Belarusian defense authorities.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense said that an Oreshnik missile unit of the armed forces has begun combat duty in designated areas of the country.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously claimed that the Oreshnik missile is capable of traveling at ten times the speed of sound, adding that no existing air defense system is currently able to intercept it.

Security analysts warn that the deployment significantly alters the regional security landscape, placing all of Europe within the missile’s operational range. Classified as a medium-range missile, the Oreshnik is reportedly capable of striking targets up to 5,500 kilometers away.

From Belarusian territory, the missile could hit targets across Europe and, according to analysts, could even reach the western coast of the United States.

Both the Russian and Belarusian defense ministries released a video showing an Oreshnik missile being transported through a forested area, concealed beneath a green camouflage net.

However, neither side disclosed the exact location of the missile deployment within Belarus.

Western political analysts suggest that the move comes amid growing tensions following recent commitments by several NATO member states, led by the United States, to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles capable of striking deep inside Russian territory.

Russia’s decision to deploy the Oreshnik missile system in Belarus is widely seen as a direct response to these developments, further escalating the already fragile security situation in Eastern Europe.

Source: AFP