Russia’s Nuke-Capable Oreshnik Missiles Enter Service in Belarus

Russia’s nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system has entered active service in Belarus, Russia’s Defense Ministry said, as U.S. efforts to broker a deal to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine enter a pivotal stage, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said earlier this month that the Oreshnik had arrived in the country. (Photo: The Presidential Press and Information Office) 

The ministry released a video showing combat vehicles that are part of the mobile intermediate-range ballistic missile system driving through a forest during combat training.

The announcement followed a statement from Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who said earlier this month that the Oreshnik had arrived in the country.

Lukashenko said up to 10 such missile systems will be stationed in Belarus.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier this month that the Oreshnik would enter combat duty before the end of the year.

He made the statement at a meeting with top Russian military officers, where he warned that Moscow would seek to extend its gains in Ukraine if Kyiv and its Western allies reject the Kremlin’s demands in peace talks.

The announcement comes at a critical moment for Russia-Ukraine negotiations. U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Florida resort, saying Kyiv and Moscow were “closer than ever before” to a peace settlement.