Overview
- President Alexander Lukashenko said Russian Oreschnik missiles arrived in Belarus and would be placed on combat duty, with initial positions prepared.
- The stationing puts the nuclear-capable, medium-range system in a country bordering NATO members Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.
- Vladimir Putin said a medium-range system equipped with Oreschnik would be ready by year-end and touted plans for serial production, while also claiming progress on Burevestnik and Poseidon.
- The missile was first used in November 2024 against a factory in Dnipro without a nuclear warhead, and independent reporting says its full capabilities remain unverified.
- Experts cited in coverage describe the weapon as inaccurate, costly and available in limited numbers, and note Europe fields defenses such as Aegis in Poland and Arrow 3 in Germany.