Russia's Ministry of Defense announced on December 30 the active service entry of the Oreshnik missile system in Belarus, capable of carrying nuclear weapons. This activation comes amid tensions in Russia-Ukraine peace talks. President Vladimir Putin has highlighted its speed and power, warning the West of potential use.
The Oreshnik missile system, an intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads, has entered active service in Belarus, as announced by Russia's Ministry of Defense on December 30. A published video shows combat vehicles of the mobile system crossing a forest during training. This follows Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's early-month statement confirming the Oreshnik's arrival in the country.
Vladimir Putin had forecasted in early December that the system would become operational this month, during a meeting with top military officials. He issued warnings to Kyiv and its Western allies, demanding Kremlin terms in Ukraine peace negotiations for any progress.
The announcement aligns with a critical juncture in Russia-Ukraine peace talks. U.S. President Donald Trump met Volodymyr Zelensky on December 28 at Mar-a-Lago, stating both sides are “closer than ever” to a deal. Yet, disputes remain over troop withdrawals and the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, occupied by Russia and one of the world's largest.
Russia first tested the Oreshnik with conventional warheads in November 2024 against a Ukrainian factory. Putin praised its multiple warheads, traveling at speeds up to Mach 10 and uninterceptable, equating their devastation to a nuclear strike. The missile reaches up to 5,000 kilometers; Russian state media claims it would take 11 minutes to a Polish airbase and 17 to NATO headquarters in Brussels.
Belarus, Russia's ally, already hosts dozens of Russian tactical nuclear weapons, used as a launchpad for the 2022 Ukraine invasion. Under a December 2024 pact, Russia controls the Oreshnik but allows Minsk to select nearby targets, enabling heavier payloads. This fits Russia's 2024 revised nuclear doctrine, treating conventional attacks backed by nuclear powers as joint threats, lowering the nuclear use threshold.
