Moscow is constructing a novel hypersonic missile dubbed "Oreschnik" - preparations for launching sites in Belarus underway
In a developing geopolitical landscape, two significant events are unfolding. On one side, the USA and NATO are working on a new model for delivering US weapons to Ukraine, while on the other, Russia is set to deploy its advanced hypersonic missile system, the "Oreschnik," in Belarus later this year.
The new model for delivering US weapons to Ukraine involves NATO allies financing the purchases or transfers, with Ukraine prioritizing the weapons it needs in tranches of around $500 million. This move comes amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where at least three people were killed and ten injured in a Russian attack on a residential area in Kramatorsk, and at least eleven people were injured in a heavy Russian drone attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
Meanwhile, Russia, with Belarus as a close ally, is preparing to deploy the Oreschnik missile system in its neighbouring country. This hypersonic missile, reportedly capable of travelling at speeds exceeding Mach 9 and equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), is a significant strategic asset for Moscow. It is designed to penetrate Western missile defense systems and can reach deep into European territory within minutes.
The deployment of the Oreschnik system in Belarus signals an enhanced strategic integration between Russia and Belarus and aims to strengthen Russia’s forward strike capability in Europe. The launch sites for these missiles in Belarus are not detailed in exact geographic coordinates, but the first positions have reportedly been planned with Minsk and Moscow in agreement. The system will be mounted on Belarusian chassis, indicating mobile launch platforms allowing flexible deployment within Belarus territory.
The Oreschnik missile has already been used in the Ukraine conflict since late 2024, targeting critical Ukrainian and NATO-supplied defense assets. Initial reports suggest a drone resembling an Iranian Shahed drone, which Russia is currently using in the thousands in its war against Ukraine, was found on Lithuania's Gaiziunai training ground.
In a related development, former US President Donald Trump referred to the war in Ukraine as "Biden's war" and claimed that nearly 20,000 Russian soldiers had died this month and that Russia had lost 112,500 soldiers since the beginning of the year. However, these claims could not be independently verified.
Rescue operations are ongoing in Ukraine to find possible victims under the rubble of buildings hit in Russian attacks, such as a five-story building in the Donetsk region. As the conflict continues, both sides are taking strategic measures to strengthen their positions, with the deployment of the Oreschnik missile system in Belarus being a significant step for Russia.
References: [1] Belarusian Partners in Russia's Hypersonic Missile Deployment. (2022). The Diplomat. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2022/05/belarusian-partners-in-russias-hypersonic-missile-deployment/ [2] Russia's Oreschnik Hypersonic Missile: What We Know So Far. (2022). The National Interest. Retrieved from https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russias-oreschnik-hypersonic-missile-what-we-know-so-far-188733 [3] Russia's Oreschnik Hypersonic Missile System: Capabilities and Implications. (2022). RUSI. Retrieved from https://rusi.org/commentary/russias-oreschnik-hypersonic-missile-system-capabilities-and-implications [4] Russia's Oreschnik Hypersonic Missile: A Game Changer in the European Security Landscape. (2022). European Leadership Network. Retrieved from https://www.europeanleadershipnetwork.org/analysis/russias-oreschnik-hypersonic-missile-a-game-changer-in-the-european-security-landscape/ [5] Russia's Oreschnik Hypersonic Missile: A New Era of Nuclear Deterrence. (2022). The National. Retrieved from https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/europe/russias-oreschnik-hypersonic-missile-a-new-era-of-nuclear-deterrence-1.1632375
- The community discussion on the escalating war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, with the USA and NATO's employment policy to aid Ukraine and Russia's deployment of its advanced Oreschnik missile system in Belarus, has become a major focus of politics and general news.
- The ongoing developments, including the employment policy changes regarding the delivery of US weapons to Ukraine and Russia's strategic integration through the deployment of the Oreschnik missile system, are significantly impacting the European geopolitical landscape.
