Belarus has taken significant steps to prepare for the deployment of the Russian Oreshnik missile system, as confirmed by State Secretary of the Security Council, Alexander Volfovich, on March 18, 2025. This move follows a series of agreements between the leaders of Belarus and Russia, aimed at bolstering military cooperation between the two nations.
Volfovich has stated that the sites for the Oreshnik missile system in Belarus have already been prepared, and production of the necessary vehicles to support the missile system is nearing completion. These vehicles will soon be transferred to Russia, where the means of destruction—namely the missiles—are produced.
Notably, the Oreshnik system is seen as a product of the Union State, with Belarus handling the manufacturing of the supporting vehicles at its military-industrial complex. Volfovich emphasized that the missiles would be delivered from Russia, thus highlighting the interdependence between the two countries' military capabilities.
In a statement, Volfovich explained, "This missile system is a product of the Union State because the base vehicle is manufactured at enterprises of the military-industrial complex in Belarus, and the means of destruction—the rockets—are produced in the Russian Federation. We are completing the production of the necessary number of these vehicles, which will soon be handed over to Russia for the installation of the Oreshnik system." This quote encapsulates the cooperative military dynamic that is being developed between Belarus and Russia.
Further context reveals that the Oreshnik system's deployment aligns with a broader strategy by President Alexander Lukashenko and President Vladimir Putin to enhance collective security amidst rising regional tensions. In late 2024, Lukashenko first proposed the idea of stationing the latest Russian weapons, including the Oreshnik, on Belarusian soil. This proposal received Putin's backing, with both leaders agreeing on a timeline for its implementation during the second half of 2025.
Volfovich further noted that some facilities for the missile systems were preserved from the Soviet era, indicating a legacy of military infrastructure that Russia and Belarus are now leveraging. He remarked, "Although it is mobile, it still has prepared sites. We have retained these from Soviet times. I think we will fulfill the obligations of the presidents by the end of the year, including those set out in military directives." This assertion points to both the historical context of military readiness in the region and the urgency of the current deployment plans.
The political backdrop also includes notable comments from Lukashenko regarding the expected arrival of additional Oreshnik systems from Moscow. On March 14, 2025, he indicated that several missile systems would be transferred to Belarus by the end of the year, reinforcing the perception of a robust military alliance. Earlier, on January 26, 2025, Lukashenko had claimed that the Oreshnik would arrive in Belarus imminently, demonstrating a sense of urgency and anticipation surrounding the Russian military support.
To summarize, the Oreshnik missile system represents not just a conventional military enhancement for Belarus, but part of a strategic alignment with Russia that could significantly impact regional security dynamics. Military experts have suggested that the Oreshnik system may be a modification of the RS-26 Rubezh complex, underscoring both the historical and contemporary relevance of these weapons systems.
The deployment of such advanced military capabilities brings questions about military postures in the region and the potential repercussions on geopolitical stability. With rising tensions in Eastern Europe, the actions of Belarus and Russia will likely draw scrutiny from Western nations, particularly as concerns about arms build-ups heighten alongside ongoing disputes in areas like Ukraine.
Volfovich's assurances about the timeline for the missile system deployment are underscored by the broader geopolitical pressures facing the region. As Belarus continues to cooperate closely with Russia, observers will be keenly watching how these developments unfold and what they may signify for the future of security in Eastern Europe.
Ultimately, while the Oreshnik system aims to bolster Belarusian defenses, it also acts as a clear signal of the deepening military ties between Belarus and Russia—a partnership that could have far-reaching implications not just for the two nations, but also for the broader regional landscape.
