Putin: New hypersonic missiles in production, to be deployed in Belarus

Russian leader Vladimir Putin announced on Friday the launch of the latest hypersonic missiles, confirming his intention to deploy them on Belarusian territory before the end of this year.

During a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on Valaam Island near St. Petersburg, the head of state reported that military experts had identified positions for the deployment of Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile systems in Belarus.

“Preparatory activities are ongoing, and it is highly likely that we will complete them within the established time frame,” the Russian president noted, specifying that the initial series of missile systems has already been manufactured and put into operation.

The Oreshnik (the name translates as “hazel”) was first used against Ukraine in November, when experimental models were used to strike a plant in Dnepr, the successor to a Soviet missile production facility.

Putin emphasized the unique characteristics of the Oreshnik, noting that its multiple warheads, moving at speeds of up to Mach 10, are impossible to intercept, and their striking power is comparable to the effect of using nuclear weapons in a massive attack.

He emphasized that Moscow is considering the possibility of using these systems against NATO countries supporting Kyiv if they continue to facilitate Ukrainian shelling of Russian territory with long-range missiles.

A Russian missile force spokesman said the Oreshnik, which is compatible with various types of warheads, has a range that covers the entire European territory.

Medium-range missiles are capable of covering distances of 500 to 5,500 kilometers. Previously, such weapons were regulated by a Soviet-American agreement, which was terminated by both sides in 2019.

Last year, the leaders of Russia and Belarus signed a military security agreement that provides, in particular, for the possibility of using Russia's nuclear arsenal to counter external threats.

The decision was part of the Kremlin's updated nuclear policy, which for the first time extended its “nuclear umbrella” to Belarus amid worsening relations with the West over the Ukrainian crisis.

Lukashenko, who has ruled the country for more than three decades with Moscow's support, previously allowed the use of Belarusian territory for the deployment of Russian military facilities and tactical nuclear weapons after the start of the special operation in Ukraine.

Official data on the number of deployed warheads is not disclosed, but the Belarusian leader mentioned the presence of several dozen such weapons at the end of last year.

Sourse: breakingnews.ie

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