**Russia to Deploy Advanced Missile Systems in Belarus by 2025**
In a move that is sure to raise concerns among neighboring countries, Moscow plans to deploy multiple “Oreshnik” missile systems to Belarus by the end of 2025. This was announced by Alexander Volfovich, the State Secretary of Belarus’ Security Council, on May 28.
The Oreshnik is an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) touted by Russia as an experimental weapon capable of bypassing advanced air defense systems. The deployment plan comes after a request from Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko to Moscow in December 2024 to deploy 10 Russian Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus.
The details of the deployment, including how many missile systems will be deployed and where they will be located, have not been specified by Volfovich. The Kyiv Independent cannot verify claims made by Belarusian officials.
**A Nuclear Capable Missile System**
The Oreshnik is a nuclear-capable missile system that has already been tested in Ukraine. In November 2024, Russia launched an Oreshnik missile against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. While the missile was not armed with a nuclear warhead during the attack, it highlights the potential threat posed by this new technology.
Russia’s decision to deploy the Oreshnik missile system to Belarus has sparked concerns among Ukraine and other neighboring countries. The move is seen as an attempt by Russia to increase its military presence in the region and demonstrate its ability to deter any potential threats.
**A Handful of Experimental Missiles?**
Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claims that Moscow has begun mass production of the Oreshnik, a U.S. official told The Kyiv Independent that it is likely that Russia possesses only “a handful” of these experimental missiles. This raises questions about the true extent of the deployment and whether Belarus will be able to maintain the system.
**Belarus’s Nuclear Capabilities**
Belarus has been a key ally to Moscow, hosting Russian tactical nuclear arms on its territory since an agreement was signed in May 2023. Despite claims that Belarus possesses nuclear weapon delivery systems, no warheads have been transferred to the country, according to Ukrainian foreign intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko.
**A Concern for Regional Security**
The planned deployment of Oreshnik missile systems to Belarus raises concerns about regional security and the potential threat posed by these advanced missiles. As tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate, it is essential that international efforts are made to promote peace and stability in the region.
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