In a major development concerning the Russian nuclear missile program, nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles have been officially deployed in Belarus. The Russian Defense Ministry revealed this on December 30, 2025, by releasing footage of the mobile systems during training exercises. This deployment comes as US-led attempts to end the almost four-year Russia-Ukraine war reach a critical point, with President Donald Trump recently meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and calling the sides as “closer than ever” to a deal, despite the fact that many problems remain unsolved.
Oreshnik Missiles in Belarus
Russia’s Defense Ministry released footage of combat vehicles from the Oreshnik missile system navigating through snowy forests as part of combat duty preparation. The announcement indicated that the intermediate-range ballistic missiles are now operational in Belarus, a close Russian ally.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had hinted at this plan earlier in December, claiming that the Oreshnik missiles had arrived and that up to ten systems may be stationed there. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously committed deployment by the end of 2025, reflecting Moscow’s intention to negotiate from strength.
Experts believe the missiles are stationed at a former airbase near Krichev in eastern Belarus, based on satellite imagery that shows new facilities associated with strategic missile activities.
This step expands on Russia’s previous placement of strategic nuclear weapons in Belarus, which was used by Russian forces during the early stages of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Capabilities of Russia’s New Missile System
The Oreshnik missiles, named after the Russian term for “hazelnut tree,” mark a significant step forward in Russia’s nuclear missile program. The hypersonic missile, which was first employed in combat in November 2024 against a Ukrainian base in Dnipro, may reach speeds of Mach 10 or more.
Putin has claimed that Oreshnik’s many warheads can travel at speeds of up to Mach 10 and cannot be intercepted, and that using several of them in a conventional strike may be as catastrophic as a nuclear attack.
The Belarusian Defense Ministry claims a range of up to 5,000 kilometers, which could extend well into Europe. Russian media has highlighted short flight times, such as 11 minutes to a Polish airbase and 17 minutes to Brussels.
A key feature is that there is no way to tell whether it is carrying nuclear or conventional warheads until impact. Intermediate-range missiles like these were formerly banned by a pact that the United States and Russia abandoned in 2019.
While signing a security agreement with Lukashenko in December 2024, Putin stated that even if Russia controlled the Oreshniks, Moscow would leave Minsk to choose the targets. He pointed out that if the missiles are employed against locations closer to Belarus, they may carry a far greater payload.
Timing and Connection to Ukraine Peace Negotiations
The Oreshnik missile deployment overlaps with critical peace talks. According to US media reports, just days earlier, on December 28, 2025, Trump welcomed Zelenskyy to his Florida club, Mar-a-Lago. Trump later stated that the two sides were making progress, but acknowledged “thorny” concerns, particularly those concerning territorial control and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power project.Trump warned that the months-long US-led negotiations could yet fail.
Putin has used the Oreshnik rockets to demonstrate determination, warning that Russia will target Ukraine’s Western allies if they allow strikes deep into Russian territory.
The Russian leader has warned the West that Russia may use the Oreshnik next against Kyiv’s allies, allowing it to attack within Russia with longer-range missiles.
In 2024, Russia revised its nuclear doctrine, reducing the limit for nuclear use and extending its nuclear umbrella to Belarus. This involves viewing conventional attacks backed by nuclear powers as cooperative operations.
The updated Russian doctrine also included Belarus inside Russia’s nuclear umbrella.
Broader Implications for Russia’s Missile Program
Placing missiles in Belarus broadens Russia’s reach and points out its reliance on nuclear threats to discourage future Western backing for Ukraine. It’s part of a larger pattern. Russia has already stationed portable nuclear weapons there and used Belarusian territory to launch an invasion.
Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus for more than 30 years despite Western sanctions for human rights violations, sees this as a response to perceived NATO aggression. Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has stated that the deployment of Oreshnik to Belarus increases the country’s military and political dependence on Russia.
A High-Stakes Moment
As Oreshnik missiles become operational in Belarus, they increase tensions in Europe’s security landscape, which are directly related to the Russian nuclear missile program. These weapons, with their hypersonic speeds, immense range, and dual-use capabilities, provide Moscow with a powerful deterrent or escalation tool.
However, in light of ongoing US-brokered discussions, the deployment serves as a reminder of Putin’s tactic of displaying might while negotiations continue. Whether this encourages parties to compromise or hardens positions remains to be determined, but the existence of these missiles means that any path to peace will be hampered by the danger of swift, lethal strikes.
