Belarus missile sites ready, nuclear arms still absent
In Belarus, the means for delivering nuclear weapons are present, but the nuclear weapons themselves are not available there — the head of Ukrainian foreign intelligence provided this information.
Key information
- Means for delivering nuclear weapons have been deployed in Belarus, but the nuclear weapons themselves are absent.
- The head of Ukrainian foreign intelligence, Oleh Ivashchenko, emphasizes that Belarus does not possess nuclear weapons.
- Storage sites for nuclear weapons are under construction in Belarus.
In Belarus, means for delivering nuclear weapons, such as planes and the Iskander missile system, have been stationed. However, as emphasized by the head of Ukrainian foreign intelligence, Oleh Ivashchenko, the nuclear weapons themselves are not present there.
The carriers [of the nuclear weapons] are there. That's true. There are jets, there are Iskander missile systems. But there are no nuclear weapons in Belarus. That's a fact - Ivashchenko said.
According to the head of Ukrainian intelligence, Belarus is preparing storage sites for nuclear weapons. The leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, claims that the country will possess the Oreshnik ballistic missile by the end of the year. However, Ivashchenko believes that this is merely "wishful thinking".
As of today, there is nothing of the sort, and it is unlikely that anything will appear - he added.
Oreshnik: Myths and facts
The Oreshnik ballistic missile is a modification of the Russian RS-26 Rubezh missile. Its maximum range is approximately 5,470 kilometres. According to the American Institute for the Study of War, the use of the Oreshnik by Russia in 2024 was mainly of psychological significance. It was an attempt to exaggerate the Kremlin's military capabilities.
This was not only an attempt to put pressure on the authorities in Kyiv but also on Western countries that support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
