Belarus hosts nuclear delivery systems but lacks warheads
In Belarus, there are systems designed to deliver nuclear weapons, but there are no actual nuclear weapons themselves — this information was conveyed by the head of Ukrainian foreign intelligence.
Key information
- Systems for delivering nuclear weapons are deployed in Belarus, but the nuclear weapons themselves are absent.
- The head of Ukrainian foreign intelligence, Oleh Ivashchenko, stresses that Belarus does not possess nuclear weapons.
- Facilities for storing nuclear weapons are currently under construction in Belarus.
Nuclear delivery systems have been stationed on Belarusian soil, including aircraft and the Iskander missile system. However, as Oleh Ivashchenko highlighted, Belarus has no nuclear weapons.
Ivashchenko clarified that while the means of delivering nuclear weapons, such as aircraft and the Iskander missile system, are in place, Belarus itself does not possess any nuclear weapons.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, Belarus is preparing facilities for storing nuclear weapons. The leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, asserts that the country will acquire the Oreshnik ballistic missile by the end of the year. However, Ivashchenko regards this claim as "wishful thinking".
He added that, as of now, no such presence exists there, and anything of the kind is unlikely to emerge.
Oreshnik: Myths and facts
The Oreshnik ballistic missile is a variant of the Russian RS-26 Rubezh missile, with a maximum range of 3,418 miles. According to the American Institute for the Study of War, Russia's deployment of the Oreshnik in 2024 was chiefly psychological, exaggerating the Kremlin's military capabilities.
This move aimed to pressure the authorities in Kyiv and Western nations supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.
