The Russian Oréshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile system has officially entered service in Belarus, according to information released by official Russian sources.
The activation was marked by a solemn ceremony held on Tuesday, during which the flag of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces was raised on Belarusian territory.
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Before assuming combat duty, personnel involved in the operations underwent additional training. The preparation included launch specialists, communications, security, power supply, and mechanical drivers.
According to an officer cited in the release, the personnel take part in daily and weekly combat training, as well as tactical and special-tactical exercises, with the aim of maintaining operational readiness.
Next-generation missile system
Oréshnik is described by Russian authorities as an intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of reaching hypersonic speeds of up to Mach 10, approximately 3 kilometers per second. The estimated range of the system varies between 800 and 5,500 kilometers. According to official information, the destructive power of a mass attack with this weapon could be comparable to that of a conventional nuclear strike, although the system can employ non-nuclear warheads.
The first operational use of Oréshnik was recorded on November 21, 2024, when the missile was reportedly employed against the Ukrainian industrial complex Yuzhmash, one of the largest industrial centers inherited from the Soviet era. Hours later, Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly confirmed the use of the new system in the action.
On that occasion, Putin stated that the missile had been tested under real combat conditions, emphasizing that it is one of the most modern intermediate-range systems in the Russian Armed Forces, equipped with hypersonic technology and carrying no nuclear payload.
The president also declared that, according to Russian assessments, there are currently no effective means to intercept this type of missile.
Context of the deployment in Belarus
In December last year, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko formally requested that Russia deploy advanced weapons systems in the country, including Oréshnik.
According to Lukashenko, the presence of these systems would have a deterrent character, aimed at containing potential external threats.
The entry into service of Oréshnik on Belarusian territory strengthens military cooperation between Minsk and Moscow and takes place in a context of heightened regional tensions in Eastern Europe.
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Source and images: Telegram @mod_russia. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
