Belarus to deploy Oreshnik missile systems soon: Lukashenko
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Belarus is set to enhance its military capabilities with the imminent deployment of Russian-made Oreshnik intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile systems.
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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, center, attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, near the Kremlin Wall, in Moscow, Russia, on Friday, March 14, 2025. (Pool Photo via AP)
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced on Friday that Russian-made Oreshnik intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile systems would soon be deployed within the Belarusian army.
"Tactical nuclear weapons have been transferred to us. Shortly, the latest Oreshnik hypersonic weapon systems will enter service with the Belarusian army," Lukashenko stated while addressing Russia’s upper house of parliament.
He further revealed that Belarus would manufacture the launchers for the Oreshnik missiles. "Several missiles [Minsk expects to receive], while we will make the launchers," the Belarusian president said, adding that the country aims to complete launcher production by the end of the year.
Once the launchers are ready, Belarus will work with Russia to determine suitable deployment sites for the missile systems. "We have agreed with the Russian president to defend our common Fatherland," Lukashenko emphasized. "Our arsenal comprises the regional grouping of forces from Belarus and Russia and the regional air defense system."
In January, the Belarusian president had already hinted at the imminent deployment of the Oreshnik missile system, suggesting it could be stationed closer to the western Russian city of Smolensk.
Putin says Oreshnik missile systems to be deployed in Belarus in 2025
Last year, Lukashenko formally asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to deploy the Oreshnik missile systems on Belarusian territory, citing their strategic value in countering geopolitical rivals.
Speaking after the Supreme State Council of the Union State in Minsk, Lukashenko said, "Recently, Russia successfully launched the Oreshnik [missile], this had some impact on our former partners and current rivals… I would like to publicly ask you to have the new weapons systems, primarily Oreshnik, deployed on the territory of Belarus."
Lukashenko proposed that Russia oversee the maintenance of the missile systems until Belarusian personnel are adequately trained and expressed Belarus' interest in determining the potential targets for these weapons.
Read more: Russia's Oreshnik missile launch making West think: Hungary's Orban
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that the deployment of Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus could occur in the second half of 2025, following an increase in serial production and integration into Russian strategic forces.
At the time, Putin also noted that Belarus would simultaneously receive the missile systems alongside the Russian military.
Read more: Russia hopes Oreshnik 'signal' to West 'taken seriously': Lavrov
