**Belarus Deploys Russian-Made Missile System by End of 2025**
In a move that has raised eyebrows, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko announced on July 1 that the Russian-made Oreshnik missile system will be deployed in Belarus by the end of 2025. Speaking at a ceremony marking Independence Day, Lukashenko said the decision was made in coordination with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to Lukashenko, the first Oreshnik positions will be set up in Belarus and will be used without nuclear warheads or radioactive contamination. The move is seen as an attempt by Lukashenko to bolster his country’s military capabilities and deter any potential aggression from outside forces.
**A Tool for Domestic Stability?**
Lukashenko claimed that the deployment of Oreshnik would serve as a tool for domestic stability, aimed at preventing uprisings and maintaining order within Belarus. This assertion has sparked speculation about Lukashenko’s intentions, with some experts questioning whether the move is genuinely aimed at enhancing national defense or if it’s simply a means to maintain his grip on power.
**Russia’s Oreshnik: A New Development?**
Little is publicly known about the Oreshnik missile system, but defense experts believe it may not be a new development at all. They suggest that Oreshnik could be an upgraded version of Russia’s RS-26 missile, also known as the Rubezh, which was first produced in 2011.
**A Warning to the West?**
In his statement, Lukashenko emphasized that any unauthorized incursion into Belarusian territory would trigger a “swift and forceful response.” This warning is seen by some as an attempt by Lukashenko to send a message to Western powers, particularly the United States and Europe.
**The Way Forward**
As the deployment of Oreshnik in Belarus moves forward, it remains to be seen how this development will impact regional dynamics. Will this move strengthen Belarus’s military capabilities or simply serve as a means for Lukashenko to maintain his hold on power? Only time will tell.
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