Russia on Tuesday released official video footage showing what it said was the deployment of its nuclear-capable hypersonic Oreshnik missile system in neighbouring Belarus, a move seen as significantly enhancing Moscow’s ability to strike targets across Europe in the event of a wider conflict.
State news agency TASS said this was the first time the Russian Defence Ministry had publicly showcased the mobile Oreshnik missile systems. President Vladimir Putin has previously claimed that the missile is impossible to intercept, citing speeds exceeding 10 times the speed of sound.
The deployment comes at a time of heightened East-West tensions linked to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Belarus borders Ukraine as well as NATO members Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, and the placement of the system there would marginally reduce missile flight times to European targets.
The video, jointly released by Russian and Belarusian defence ministries, showed mobile launchers moving along forest roads, missile crews camouflaging the systems with netting, and senior officers briefing troops. A Russian officer was seen informing personnel that the systems had been officially placed on combat duty, with routine training and reconnaissance activities underway.
The footage did not disclose the exact location of the deployment. However, two US researchers told Reuters that satellite imagery strongly suggests the missiles are stationed at a disused airbase known as Krichev-6 in eastern Belarus.