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Russia positions nuclear-capable hypersonic missiles in Belarus as regional tensions escalate
Russia has reportedly deployed nuclear-capable hypersonic missiles to a Belarusian base near the border with Russia, marking a new escalation in the deepening military standoff between Moscow and NATO. Independent researchers using satellite imagery say the weapons, known as Oreshnik missiles, are being stationed at a former airbase close to Krichev, roughly 190 miles east of Minsk. The images suggest rapid construction around the site since August, including reinforced launch areas and secure transport zones, hinting at preparations for operational deployment.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed that the first batch of Oreshnik missiles had arrived and were expected to be placed on combat duty before the end of the year. His defense minister described the move as a necessary response to what he called hostile actions by the West. The weapon system, capable of reaching speeds above Mach 10, can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads across distances of up to 3,400 miles.
Analysts view the deployment as part of a broader effort by Russia to extend its strategic reach in Europe and challenge the planned deployment of U.S. hypersonic systems in Germany. Some experts have suggested the move is also intended to reinforce Belarus’s sense of security under Moscow’s defense umbrella. The decision has drawn concern among Western observers, as it appears to contravene the New START Treaty’s limitations on basing strategic nuclear arms outside national territory.
With the treaty set to expire in early 2026, the introduction of these advanced weapons into Belarus signals a further unraveling of the arms control framework that has long restrained direct nuclear competition between the world’s major powers. The missile deployment thus highlights a renewed era of strategic risk, where both deterrence and symbolism increasingly define the security landscape across Europe.
