International-News

Deployment of Oreshnik missiles in Belarus raises fears across Europe

Belarus confirms the systems are now on combat duty as tensions rise with Russia and Ukraine

The deployment of Oreshnik missiles in Belarus has officially entered a new phase, with the missile systems now placed on active combat duty. The announcement was made by the Belarusian Ministry of Defense, which confirmed that all preparatory operations have been completed.

“After the missile system was prepared for its designated deployment and following an inspection by a full joint group, an Oreshnik missile battalion has begun carrying out combat duty missions in designated areas on the territory of our country,” Belarusian military officials stated.

According to Russian authorities, the Oreshnik missile has a range of up to 5,500 kilometers, can reach speeds of up to Mach 10, and is designed to be extremely difficult to intercept. The missile system can be equipped with either conventional or nuclear warheads. Because of these characteristics, the deployment of Oreshnik missiles in Belarus is seen as a potential threat not only to Ukraine but also to large parts of Europe.

With the activation of the missile systems on Belarusian territory, Western Europe is now geographically closer to Russian launch platforms, a development that could significantly affect the regional security balance.

The announcement comes at a critical moment in ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. In recent hours, Moscow has accused Kyiv of launching a large-scale drone attack against one of President Vladimir Putin’s residences, an allegation denied by Ukrainian officials.

The deployment of Oreshnik missiles in Belarus represents a further escalation in an already tense geopolitical context. Russia first used the Oreshnik missile in November 2024, when the experimental weapon was reportedly deployed in an attack on the Dnipro region.

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