Lukashenko reveals missile deal with russia for Belarus deployment
Alexander Lukashenko has announced that the Russian Oreshnik missile system will soon be deployed in Belarus. He added that the weapon would be installed near the country's eastern border.
- Day by day, we will have Oreshnik. We agreed with President Putin that the next system will be installed in Belarus even before Russia - Lukashenko said at a press conference, as quoted by the independent Belarusian service Zerkalo.io.
- We are not shy about nuclear weapons, no. But that is terrible weaponry. And Oreshnik is a terrible weapon, but not as much. Let it be with us - he added.
The authoritarian leader of Belarus announced that the systems will be deployed "closer to Smolensk". He stated that the plans to place Oreshnik in Belarus emerged "in response to the desire and possibility of the Americans deploying medium-range missiles in Europe".
When asked what the phrase "day by day" means, Lukashenko replied that he has not yet set a date with Putin.
- Firstly, there is no rush. Of course, I understand that Russia also needs this Oreshnik and so on. It's not that simple. When I talked about ten sets, I was joking - he added. - A joke to the journalists. Of course, I realise that ten sets mean enormous amounts of money. And Russia's industry doesn't just produce Oreshniks. Even in three years, it won't produce that. I am aware of that. One set of Oreshnik is enough to secure Belarus - said Lukashenko.
Putin announced delivery in the second half of 2025
In December 2023, Lukashenko and Putin signed an agreement on mutual security guarantees, which includes the delivery of Oreshnik ballistic missiles to Belarus.
Putin announced that the delivery could happen in the second half of 2025, when production of these systems increases in Russia. Oreshnik is an intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads, used by Russia in the attack on Ukrainian military facilities in Dnipro.
After the invasion of Ukraine began, for which Belarusian territory was used, Russia announced its intention to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on its ally's territory. In December 2023, Lukashenko maintained that the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus had been completed. However, among Western experts, there is no unequivocal assessment of this issue because it is difficult to verify.
Contrary to the statements of the Belarusian military authorities and Lukashenko himself, all actions related to this weapon depend on decisions from Moscow. According to experts, the subject is used for propaganda purposes.
