Belarusian leader Lukashenko implicated in Russian assault on "Akhmatdet"
In a significant yet indirect capacity, Belarus has been identified as a key contributor to the production of Russian missiles used in strikes against Ukraine. Multiple sources, both Western and Ukrainian, confirm that Belarusian enterprises provide critical electronic components, such as microchips, capacitors, and stabilizers, that are essential to Russia’s missile production, including advanced cruise and strike missiles like the Kh-101, Kh-69, Kh-39, Kh-38, and others [1][3][4].
Key Belarusian Manufacturers and Their Contributions ----------------------------------------------------
Notable among these manufacturers is Integral JSC, a Minsk-based company that serves as the most powerful supplier, producing microchips used in the avionics and guidance systems of Russia’s Kh-101, Kh-69, Kh-39, and Kh-38 missiles [1][3][4]. Investigative reports suggest that without these components, production and deployment of these missiles would be significantly impaired [1][3]. Other companies, including Monolit, DELS, and Peleng, also supply components used in the control systems of cruise and ballistic missiles, such as the Kinzhal [1]. Cvetotron (Tsvetotron) JSC is specifically linked to the production of electronics used in Kh-31PM anti-radiation missiles and Kh-35U anti-ship missiles [3][4].
Evidence of this ongoing, organized supply relationship includes paid invoices showing the delivery of thousands of microchips from Belarusian plants to the Russian military between 2022 and 2023 [3].
Impact on the War in Ukraine -----------------------------
The involvement of Belarusian-supplied components in Russian missiles that have struck civilian targets, such as hospitals, power plants, residential areas, and schools, has led Ukrainian investigators to view Belarus as a de facto party to the conflict [1][3]. In addition, Belarusian electronics are integrated into Russian combat aircraft, amplifying the lethality of Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian cities [4].
The Ukrainian government has suggested that enterprises producing these components could be considered legitimate military targets due to their direct role in enabling Russian strikes [1][3].
Potential Developments -----------------------
Reports suggest that Belarus is planning to expand its military-industrial output, with plans to build a factory capable of producing up to 100,000 drones, potentially further increasing its role in the conflict [3]. There is also concern about potential Russian deployment of advanced systems like the Oreshnik hypersonic missile to Belarusian territory, which could escalate tensions with NATO neighbors [2].
Summary Table: Belarusian Components in Russian Missiles ----------------------------------------------------------
| Belarusian Company | Russian Missile Systems Supported | Component Type | Notable Impact | |--------------------|------------------------------------------|------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | Integral JSC | Kh-101, Kh-69, Kh-39, Kh-38, Su-35S | Microchips, avionics | Essential for guidance/control systems[1][3][4] | | Cvetotron JSC | Kh-31PM, Kh-35U | Electronics | Used in anti-radiation/anti-ship missiles[3][4] | | Monolit, DELS, Peleng | Kinzhal, others | Capacitors, stabilizers | Used in missile control systems[1] |
Conclusion ----------
Belarus’s role is primarily as a supplier of high-tech electronic components critical to Russian missile systems used extensively against Ukraine. This has led Ukrainian and Western observers to regard Belarus as complicit in Russian military actions, with some calling for these supply chains to be treated as legitimate military targets [1][3]. The relationship is likely to deepen, with plans for expanded military production within Belarus, including drones and potential hosting of advanced Russian missile systems [2][3].
In light of the critical electronic components supplied by Belarusian companies like Integral JSC, Monolit, DELS, Peleng, and Cvetotron JSC for Russia's missile production, politics and general news surrounding war-and-conflicts have highlighting Belarus's role as a key contributor, potentially making it a de facto party to the conflict. As these components have been used in Russian missiles striking civilian targets in Ukraine, crime-and-justice discussions have emerged about the potential targeting of these enterprises due to their direct role in enabling such strikes.
