'Oreshnik is legitimate target': Zelenskyy warns about Russian missiles in Belarus
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: president.gov.ua)
NATO should consider Oreshnik a legitimate target, and Ukraine will assess the corresponding threat from Belarus, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
About missiles and Russia's actions
According to Zelenskyy, Russia has not yet brought entire Oreshnik to Belarus, but has already delivered relevant equipment. He noted that Russia is trying to demonstrate strength and intimidate Europe.
"In my opinion, NATO should view Oreshnik as legitimate target. Ukraine will assess this threat. Lukashenko is making big mistake. Issue not only Oreshnik. Everyone sees that they are now doing more show," Zelenskyy says.
Russia and Belarus exercises
Separately, Zelenskyy commented on statements about possible joint military exercises of Russia and Belarus.
According to him, during previous large-scale exercises full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine began, therefore such actions pose risks.
"We will see how large they will be. But when they were very massive, offensive on territory of Ukraine began. Therefore all this definitely big risks for Ukraine. And, I believe, big risks for Belarusians," Zelenskyy says.
Oreshnik in Belarus
Self-proclaimed president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko earlier stated that missile complex Oreshnik is already on combat duty on territory of country. According to him, tactical nuclear weapons are deployed in Belarus, and with appearance of new missile complex arsenal may be replenished with up to ten such systems from Russia.
Zelenskyy noted that the Ukrainian side knows about location of new Russian missile Oreshnik in Belarus, and this data is being transferred to international partners.
It is preliminarily believed that Oreshnik may be modification of RS-26 Rubezh missile, range of which, according to unofficial estimates, reaches about 5500 kilometers. At same time, little information about this system remains in open sources.
