Russia: Deployment Agreement of the Oreshnik Missile in Belarus

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko shake hands during the signing ceremony of documents following a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Russia and Belarus. Dec 6, 2024 Photo: EFE

December 6, 2024 Hour: 5:10 pm

Putin stressed that, unlike traditional nuclear weapons, the Oreshnik is a high-precision system that does not cause radioactive contamination, making it a less destructive option in terms of side effects.

In an increasingly tense geopolitical context, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced during a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenka, the possibility of deploying the new Oreshnik intermediate-range missile system in Belarus by the end of 2025.

The Oreshnik, a ballistic missile capable of reaching hypersonic speeds up to Mach 10, represents a significant advance in Russian weapons technology.

Oreshnik not just a messenger, but test of our capabilities – Russian Deputy FM to CNN

Sergey Ryabkov explained that if it weren't for Trump's first administration, which effectively destroyed the INF treaty, Russia would not have the Oreshnik missile in its arsenal. pic.twitter.com/E5gaLWilUG
— RT (@RT_com) December 5, 2024

However, its ability to cause devastating damage in a coordinated attack places it in a category that could be comparable to the use of nuclear weapons, though without the associated side effects.

The decision to deploy these missiles in Belarus is deeply linked to the “security guarantees” signed between the two countries, which indicate closer military integration at a time when tensions with the West are on the rise.