Overview
- Russia’s Defense Ministry announced the nuclear-capable Oreshnik has entered active service and held a ceremony in Belarus, without disclosing how many systems are in place.
- Belarus released footage and said a missile division has begun combat patrols on its territory, showing mobile launchers moving on forest roads and being camouflaged.
- Independent analysts reviewing satellite imagery say the missiles and launchers are likely stationed at a former airbase near Krichev in eastern Belarus.
- Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has said up to 10 systems will be based in the country, while reporting indicates Moscow retains control over the weapons even if Minsk can propose targets.
- Russia touts Oreshnik as hypersonic, multi‑warhead, and nuclear‑capable with long range, claims that some Western officials view skeptically, and the system was previously used in a conventional strike on Dnipro in November 2024.