Russia’s Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile system has officially entered service in Belarus, official Russian sources said.
The activation was marked by a solemn ceremony held on Tuesday, during which the flag of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces was raised on the territory of Belarus.
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Before taking over the combat service, the personnel participating in the operation took part in additional training. Preparation included launch specialists, communications, security, power, and vehicle drivers and mechanics.
According to an officer quoted in the statement, the personnel participate in daily and weekly combat training as well as tactical and special tactical exercises to maintain operational readiness.
New generation missile system
Russian authorities describe the Oréshniks as a medium-range ballistic missile that can reach hypersonic speeds of up to Mach 10, or about 3 kilometers per second. The estimated range of the system is between 800 and 5,500 kilometers. According to official information, the destructive power of a mass strike carried out with this weapon can be comparable to that of a conventional nuclear strike, although the system can also use non-nuclear warheads.
The first combat use of the Oréshnik was recorded on November 21, 2024, when the missile was reportedly fired against the Yuzmas industrial complex in Ukraine, one of the largest industrial centers inherited from the Soviet era. A few hours later, the Russian president, Vladimir Putin publicly confirmed the use of the new system.
Putin said at the time that the missile had been tested under real combat conditions and emphasized that it was one of the most advanced medium-range systems of the Russian armed forces, equipped with hypersonic technology and without a nuclear warhead.
The president also said that, according to Russian assessments, there are currently no effective means of intercepting this type of missile.
Context of installation in Belarus
In December of last year, the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, officially asked Russia to install advanced weapons systems, including the Oréshnik, in the country.
According to Lukashenko, the presence of these systems is a deterrent and serves to deter potential external threats.
The Oréshnik Its deployment in Belarusian territory strengthens the military cooperation between Minsk and Moscow and takes place amid heightened regional tensions in Eastern Europe.
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Source and images: Telegram @mod_russia. The content is created with the help of artificial intelligence and verified by the editors.
