Overview
- Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced on August 4 that it has formally lifted its voluntary restriction on deploying ground-launched short- and medium-range missiles.
- The move rescinds a self-imposed limit that Russia maintained after the 2019 expiration of the INF Treaty to restrict such missile deployments.
- On August 1, President Putin ordered the start of mass production and deployment of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik mid-range ballistic missile.
- Moscow plans to station Oreshnik missiles in Belarus by the end of the year to enhance its regional deterrent posture.
- Russian officials said the shift aims to counter US missile deployments in Europe and the Asia-Pacific and to deter Washington’s sanctions related to Ukraine.