Russia is preparing to deploy its Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile system in Belarus, primarily to pressure the European Union and NATO rather than Ukraine, according to Oleh Ivashchenko, head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service.
"The deployment of Oreshnik on Belarusian territory is a means of pressure primarily on the EU and NATO, not on Ukraine," Ivashchenko told Ukrinform. "This move will allow Russia to expand its capabilities for striking the capital of any European country and significantly reduce missile flight time compared to launching from the Kapustin Yar test site."
Russia and Belarus are currently building military facilities for the system, including launch installations and surveillance and communications infrastructure, Ivashchenko said. However, these preparations have not yet been completed.
The intelligence chief emphasized that without finishing construction of these supporting elements, any launcher placed in Belarus would serve merely as a mock-up. He added that Minsk will have no authority to use the weapon system independently, as Oreshnik will remain integrated within Russia's Strategic Missile Forces unified command structure.
According to the Foreign Intelligence Service, Russia plans to position Oreshnik in the Mozyr region of Belarus by the end of 2025. The location would place the missiles 120-140 kilometers from Ukraine's border and approximately 200 kilometers from Lithuania, the nearest NATO and EU member state.
Ivashchenko explained that deploying the system outside Russian territory serves a dual purpose: shielding it from Ukrainian strikes while intensifying threats against European capitals. Placing such weaponry in Russia's European territories makes it a legitimate target for Ukraine's Defense Forces, he noted.
Self-proclaimed Belarusian president Aliaksandr Lukashenka announced on October 31 that the Oreshnik missile system is scheduled for combat duty deployment in December.
Earlier, SBU head Vasyl Maliuk revealed that Ukrainian special forces destroyed one of three Oreshnik systems at the Kapustin Yar test site in Russia's Astrakhan region in the summer before last. The operation was not publicized but proved successful, with several foreign leaders informed alongside Ukraine's president.
