Russian Oreshnik missile system enters combat duty in Belarus, confirms Lukashenko

The Oreshnik missile system has entered combat duty in Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko said in his address to the Belarusian people and parliament.

Lukashenko stated that strategic protection is ensured through military cooperation, primarily with Russia, Caliber.Az reports, citing BELTA.

“Belarus and Russia are implementing a set of strategic deterrence measures. This includes the deployment on our territory of the Russian component of the regional group of forces: in the event of an escalation, armed forces numbering several tens of thousands from western Russia would immediately join the fighting as a second echelon,” he said.

The president recalled that tactical nuclear weapons are also stationed in Belarus. “In addition, the first positions have been equipped for the Oreshnik missile system. It has been here since yesterday and is going on combat duty,” Lukashenko said.

Responding to critics who questioned the necessity of deploying such powerful weapons in Belarus and warned the country would become a primary target, Lukashenko urged people not to heed such claims. He drew a parallel with the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, which was initially criticised domestically and by neighbouring states. 

He noted that Lithuania has since shown interest in having its own nuclear plant, Poland plans to build two, and Germany and France have fully recommissioned their nuclear facilities.

“Therefore, do not give in to talks suggesting that nuclear weapons will be used and strikes will be carried out on these targets. And what, if someone goes to war against us, will they just pat us on the head? They will strike against us. And they will strike, as is fashionable to say, at decision-making centres. That is why we are doing everything to prevent war,” Lukashenko stressed.

The Oreshnik is a new Russian intermediate-range ballistic missile system, reportedly developed from the RS-26 Rubezh program. It is believed to have a range of approximately 5,000–5,500 km, can carry multiple warheads—including nuclear—and reach hypersonic speeds exceeding Mach 10.

The system reportedly uses mobile launchers, enhancing its survivability and making interception more difficult. Russia announced the start of mass production in 2025.

Experts see Oreshnik as part of Moscow’s wider push to modernize its strategic forces and counter NATO’s missile-defence capabilities.

By Jeyhun Aghazada