Since yesterday, "Oreshnik" allegedly carries combat duty in Belarus
During his speech at the All-Belarusian People's Assembly, Alexander Lukashenka stated that the Russian ballistic missile system "Oreshnik" has been on the territory of Belarus "since yesterday."
Photo: Omar Zaghloul/Anadolu via Getty Images
According to Lukashenka, "Oreshnik" has already arrived in Belarus and begun combat duty.
"Strategic defense is also provided by our military cooperation, primarily with the Russian Federation. Therefore, Belarus and Russia are implementing a set of strategic deterrence measures — this is the deployment of the Russian component of the regional grouping of forces on our territory.
In case of exacerbation of conflicts, it is stipulated: Armed Forces — several tens of thousands of people — in western Russia, who immediately join the military struggle as a second echelon. Belarus goes first — we need to react. Then the Russian Federation supports us. This is what the regional grouping of forces is.
And tactical nuclear weapons, which we have returned to Belarus. In addition, the first positions are equipped with the "Oreshnik" missile system: it has been with us since yesterday and is assuming combat duty," he stated.
In late October, Lukashenka already said that "Oreshnik" was planned to be put on combat duty in December. He explained this by the desire to demonstrate to foreign opponents that Belarus has the ability to strike if the situation deteriorates, and warned them "not to provoke." Even earlier, in late September, this system was allegedly "on its way" to Belarus.
The Russian ballistic missile system "Oreshnik" is a carrier of nuclear weapons. According to Ukrainian intelligence, this is not the official name of the armament, but a code designation for research and development. The missile system itself is actually called "Kedr."
Russian troops first used this weapon against Ukraine at dawn on November 21, 2024, when Dnipro was attacked. Initially, the Ukrainian Air Force, the Center for Strategic Communications of the Ukrainian Army, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russia had used the intercontinental ballistic missile "Rubezh." However, later that same evening, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that it was a medium-range missile "Oreshnik," not an intercontinental one.
According to Ukrainian intelligence estimates, this missile was used in a non-nuclear warhead variant during the strike on Dnipro.
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