Russia deploys Oreshnik missile system in Belarus, targeting Europe — Ukraine's intel
Photo: Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine Oleh Ivashchenko (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Russia is deploying the Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile in Belarus, targeting Europe, Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine chief, Oleh Ivashchenko, told Ukrinform.
"We are seeing preparations and deployment of the Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile on the territory of Belarus. Russia and Belarus are building military facilities for launchers, surveillance and communication systems, which are elements of the Oreshnik system. However, as of now, these measures have not yet been implemented," Ivashchenko said.
According to him, Russia can physically deploy a launch pad in Belarus. But without the completion of other elements, it will only serve as a mock-up.
He noted that even if Oreshnik is deployed on the territory of Belarus, Minsk will have no rights or authority to use it.
Oreshnik will be part of the unified command system of the Russian strategic missile forces.
According to intelligence reports, the deployment of Oreshnik on Belarusian territory is dictated by the desire to increase pressure on Europe and European countries, as well as to protect Oreshnik from attack, since the deployment of this weapon in the European part of Russia makes it a legitimate target for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The deployment of Oreshnik in Belarus is primarily a means of exerting pressure on the EU and NATO, rather than on Ukraine. This move will allow Russia to expand its capabilities to launch a surprise attack on the capital of any European country and significantly reduce the flight time of missiles compared to launches from the Kapustin Yar test site," Ivashchenko stressed.
Oreshnik in Belarus
Plans to deploy Russian Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missiles in Belarus became known last year.
Recently, self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed that the Russian Oreshnik missile complex would be put on combat duty in December.
He also threatened that Belarus would strike if the situation develops badly.
In October, Ukraine's Security Service chief Vasyl Maliuk said that the SBU, together with the Defense Intelligence, had destroyed one of three Russian Oreshniks in Kapustiny Yar. He noted that the operation was secret and only a few presidents of other countries knew about its results.
