The war in Ukraine continues. Faced with the arrival of Western aid, Russia announces that it wants to deploy Oreshnik missiles in Belarus from 2025. The latter can carry a nuclear charge and have a strike force of several thousand kilometers.
New escalation in the war in Ukraine
In the midst of the war in Ukraine, Russia is continuing its strategic military initiatives with the announcement of the deployment of Oreshnik ballistic missiles in Belarus by 2025. This decision raises concerns about intensifying security tensions in Eastern Europe, particularly in a context of growing tensions between Moscow and NATO.
The Oreshnik system, an intermediate-range ballistic weapon, addresses Russia’s concerns over plans to deploy U.S. and German missiles in Europe. According to Sergey Lagodyuk, deputy chief of the Belarusian General Staff, this response aims to counter NATO’s increased military presence in Eastern Europe, perceived by Moscow and Minsk as a strategic escalation. With a range of between 500 and 5,500 kilometers, the Oreshnik missile is capable of striking critical military targets across the European continent, including NATO bases.
Features of the Oreshnik missile system
The Oreshnik missile is distinguished by several advanced capabilities that make it a formidable weapon. It covers a wide area and makes it possible to target key installations in Europe, including military infrastructure, air bases and command centers. Furthermore, this missile is similar to the Iskander and Kalibr systems. It stands out for its precision, making strikes effective against high-value targets, especially since it remains difficult to neutralize. But above all, it can carry a nuclear warhead.
Belarus’s proximity to Ukraine places the Oreshnik system in a position to target strategic Ukrainian military infrastructure. This deployment increases the threat to kyiv, particularly in a conflict where Russia and Belarus play together. For Europe, this development poses a direct threat to NATO bases, exacerbating military tensions. The Oreshnik’s nuclear capability amplifies the risk of escalation in the event of conflict, forcing NATO to strengthen its anti-missile defenses. This dynamic could fuel a new arms race, further weakening regional stability.
