Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: Belarus has received no more than ten Oreshnik systems

An archive photo

ST. PETERSBURG, 22 December (BelTA) – Following an informal meeting of CIS heads of state, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko told the media how many Oreshnik missile systems Belarus has received, BelTA has learned.

"Did Belarus receive ten [Oreshnik systems], as you requested from the president [of Russia]?" a journalist asked.

"No more than ten," Aleksandr Lukashenko replied with a slight smile.

The journalist’s question about the number of Oreshnik systems was a reference to a previous statement by the Belarusian president made a year ago. When asked about how many of these systems were planned to be delivered to Belarus, the head of state replied: “I think ten for now, and then we'll see. If the Russians want to deploy more, we will host more.”

At the moment of that conversation with journalists, Russian President Vladimir Putin happened to be passing by and heard the words of his Belarusian counterpart. “Well, ten, that’s…” remarked the Russian leader, raising both hands.

A month after that conversation, in January 2025 Aleksandr Lukashenko clarified the situation: “When I said ‘ten systems,’ I was joking. That’s crazy money. And Russia’s manufacturing industry doesn’t produce only Oreshnik systems. I understand that. One Oreshnik system is enough to secure Belarus. But they are needed in Russia as well.”

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