Belarus’s State Secretary of the Security Council Aliaksandr Valfovich has expressed confidence that the Russian medium-range mobile missile system known as “Oreshnik” is present in Belarus. He made the comment in response to claims that the “Oreshnik” had not been delivered to the country.
“The main thing is that we are confident that we have this weapon. And, of course, we hope that it will never be needed. This is a weapon of deterrence and protection of our country. Everything that was needed, everything that was determined by the presidents of the two countries, has been fulfilled and is in effect. And what our opponents, our neighbors, say… Speaking and drawing conclusions is their right,” the press service of the Ministry of Defense quoted him as saying. “It is good that they do not see this ‘Oreshnik’. And it is right that they do not see it.”
He recalled a Russian strike using the “Oreshnik” on Ukraine’s Lviv region.
“I would not want this ‘Oreshnik’ to be used from the territory of Belarus. I say once again: the ‘Oreshnik’ and the tactical nuclear weapons that are deployed on the territory of Belarus are needed solely to protect the territory of our country,” Valfovich said.
On December 30, the Belarusian and Russian defense ministries published a video that allegedly showed the Russian “Oreshnik” missile system entering combat duty in Belarus.
Subsequent media reports, as well as statements by the Community of Railway Workers of Belarus initiative and BelPol, claimed there was no confirmation that the “Oreshnik” had been delivered to Belarus. According to their information, no movement of such equipment was recorded by rail, and the footage shown by Russia’s Defense Ministry does not prove the presence of a launch system.
