Russia Declares Oreshnik Hypersonic Missiles Operational, Deploys Units to Belarus

Overview

• Russia’s Defense Ministry said the system entered service on December 30 and released footage of a brief ceremony in Belarus without disclosing how many launchers were fielded.
• Putin and the missile forces chief claim Oreshnik can carry conventional or nuclear payloads, deploy multiple warheads, reach targets across Europe, and fly at speeds they say cannot be intercepted.
• State media published the first official images of mobile launchers in Belarus, positioning that reduces flight times to European targets.
• Moscow accused Ukraine of trying to strike a Putin-linked residence in the Novgorod region and reported downing 91 drones, a claim Zelensky rejected as fabricated.
• The unveiling comes during U.S.-brokered talks that President Trump says are closer than ever to a deal, as Putin asserts advances in Donetsk and intensified operations in Zaporizhzhia.