Russia has announced that its Oreshnik nuclear missiles have entered active service in Belarus, a close ally of Moscow that borders several NATO member states, including Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. The announcement was accompanied by a video released by the Russian and Belarusian Ministries of Defense, showing the transportation of the missile systems into forested areas and their camouflage using netting.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the Oreshnik missiles are virtually impossible to intercept due to their speed, which he claims exceeds ten times the speed of sound. Their deployment in Belarus could significantly reduce strike times against European targets if the missiles are stationed at bases within the country.
According to Belarusian authorities, an Oreshnik missile division has begun combat duties in designated areas, although the exact locations have not been disclosed. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has claimed that up to ten such systems will be stationed on Belarusian territory.
Belarus has been a key ally of Moscow, having served as a platform for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The deployment of the Oreshnik missiles comes amid heightened nuclear threats from the Kremlin, particularly following Russia’s decision in November 2024 to lower the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons—a move widely viewed as a signal of a more aggressive Russian posture.
