Belarus plans to deploy Russian Oreshnik missile systems

Russian Oreshnik missile systems will be deployed in Belarus in December, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing Natalla Eismant, spokeswoman for Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.

According to her, preparations for deployment are almost complete.

Earlier, Lukashenko announced that Russia's deployment of Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missiles in Belarus is a response to the West's escalation of the situation.

Information about the possible deployment of Oreshnik missiles in Belarus appeared in connection with the Russian-Belarusian Zapad-2025 exercises, which took place on September 12-16.

The deployment of the Oreshnik missiles was announced by Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhankou during his speech at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York in September. Earlier, Lukashenko said at a press conference following a meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin that the missiles were on their way to Belarus.

To date, there have been two confirmed launches of the Oreshnik medium-range missile. In late 2024, it was used against the Pivdenmash missile plant in Dnipro in central-eastern Ukraine, while in February 2025, a test conducted at a testing ground in Russia ended in failure; the missile exploded shortly after launch. (PAP)

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