Events

6 Dec 2024

Lukashenko asks Putin to deploy Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus

MINSK, 6 December (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has approached President of Russia Vladimir Putin with a request to deploy Russia’s latest missile systems Oreshnik in Belarus. The relevant proposal was put forward at a session of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Belarus and Russia in Minsk on 6 December, BelTA has learned.

The head of state remarked that Belarus is very worried about the situation in Western Europe. Particularly along the Belarusian borders with Poland and Lithuania. “We estimate this danger is even larger than the danger from Ukraine, which is at war,” he stressed. The president pointed out that troops of Poland, Lithuania are getting deployed in the vicinity of the Belarusian border. NATO armed forces from other countries, including from Germany, are moving to this area. “In other words, the situation is very intense. Poland spends huge resources on arming its army. If they want to live with us in peace as they claim, why do they spend billions of U.S. dollars on weapons then?” Aleksandr Lukashenko asked a rhetoric question. “In other words, we are very concerned about it. And it is already a threat to our joint military force [of the Union State of Belarus and Russia].”

In connection to this the president addressed Vladimir Putin: “I would like to publicly ask you to have new weapon systems and primarily Oreshnik systems deployed in Belarus’ territory. It would have a serious calming effect on certain minds, who are already ready to fight against Belarus.” In his opinion, such deployment is also advisable within the framework of the recently adopted Security Concept and the Treaty on Security Guarantees within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia.

“We have certain locations where we can deploy these weapons. On one condition: targets for these weapons will be selected by Belarus’ military and political leadership. And for now you will teach us how to use these weapons if they are deployed. Specialists from the Russian Federation should fire Oreshnik military payloads at certain targets. You know how to do it. You’ve demonstrated it recently,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

In his words, it would significantly enhance the defense of the Union State of Belarus and Russia and certainly the defense of the Belarusian territory.

The president remarked that after Russian tactical nuclear weapons were deployed in Belarus upon his request, he often hears criticism. If Oreshnik missile systems are deployed, there will be no reasons for this criticism because it is not a nuclear weapon. Although under certain conditions the damage Oreshnik can deliver is comparable to that of a nuclear strike but without radioactive pollution.

Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that he had made the request not only personally but on behalf of the entire Belarusian nation.

Putin deems deployment of Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus possible

MINSK, 6 December (BelTA) – It is possible to deploy the cutting-edge missile systems Oreshnik in Belarus. President of Russia Vladimir Putin made the relevant statement in response to the relevant request from Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko after a session of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Belarus and Russia in Minsk on 6 December, BelTA has learned.

According to the Russian head of state, it may happen in H2 2025.

“I believe the deployment of Oreshnik missile complexes in the territory of the Republic of Belarus is possible. I think it will become possible in the second half of the next year: as the batch production of these complexes in Russia grows and as these missile systems are accepted into service of the Russian strategic forces,” the Russian president stated.

According to the Russian leader, the cutting-edge missile systems Oreshnik have no analogs in the world. If used in clusters, the effect is comparable to that of nuclear weapons. However, Oreshnik missile systems are not weapons of mass destruction. “Due to two reasons. First, unlike weapons of mass destruction Oreshnik is not an area-of-effect weapon. It achieves results thanks to its precision, not power. Second, if one, two, three complexes are used as a group, the strength of the strike is comparable to the effect of nuclear weapons. But Oreshnik does not pollute the area, has no radioactive consequences because there is no nuclear component in the warheads of these missiles,” Vladimir Putin explained.

A treaty on guarantees within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia was signed as a result of the session. This document stipulates Belarus’ and Russia’s mutual commitments as allies that will use all the available forces and assets to defend the two countries. “This is why we have granted the request of the Republic of Belarus to deploy Russian tactical nuclear weapons,” the Russian president said.



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