The likely location for the deployment of Russia’s Oreshnik missile system in Belarus may be the former Krichev-6 military airfield in Mahilyow Region, near the border with Russia. This conclusion was reached by researchers from Middlebury College after analysing satellite imagery from Planet Labs.
In particular, the specialists recorded site clearance, the demolition of civilian buildings, and the full restoration of a railway spur leading to the facility. As the experts note, the presence of a separate railway junction is characteristic of facilities used by Strategic Missile Forces units and may indicate the deployment of strategic missile weapons.
The research team included Dr Jeffrey Lewis, Michael Duitsman and Middlebury College graduate Decker Eveleth, who works at CNA Corporation.
The Krichev-6 airfield has not been in use since the early 1990s and was previously used by Soviet aviation. In recent years, the territory had been used for economic purposes, but in August rapid infrastructure changes were recorded that coincided with statements about preparations of positions for Oreshnik, the report says.
Earlier, speaking at the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly on December 18, Alyaksandr Lukashenka said that Oreshnik had arrived in Belarus the previous day and was being placed on combat duty. “The first positions have been equipped with the Oreshnik missile system: it has been with us since yesterday and is being placed on combat duty,” he said.
In recent days, Lukashenka also heard a report from Defence Minister Viktar Khrenin, which, among other issues, addressed the placement of Oreshnik on combat duty.