Russia’s new nuclear move on Europe! Hypersonic missiles will be deployed in Belarus, NATO’s uneasiness increased

Russia-Belarus Missile Deployment: Russia is now preparing to deploy new hypersonic ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads at an old airbase in eastern Belarus. Two leading researchers of America have made this claim on the basis of study of satellite photographs. If this deployment takes place, it will greatly strengthen Russia’s missile strike capability across Europe and could have a serious impact on the security strategy of NATO countries.

Jeffrey Lewis of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California and Decker Eveleth of the CNA Research and Analysis Organization in Virginia analyzed high-resolution images taken by a commercial satellite company called Planet Labs. These photos show new structures, roads and construction activities that match the pattern of Russia’s strategic missile bases.

Capable of covering large parts of Europe

Researchers say they are about 90 percent confident that Russia could deploy the mobile Oreshnik missile launcher at an old military airbase near the Belarusian city of Krichev. This place is located about 307 kilometers east of the capital of Belarus, Minsk, and about 478 kilometers south-west of the Russian capital, Moscow. Strategically, this area is considered capable of covering a large part of Europe.

What is the firepower of Oreshnik missile?

Oreshnik, which means ‘hazel tree’ in Russian, is an intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile. According to experts, its estimated range can be around 5,500 kilometers. Russian President Vladimir Putin has already publicly indicated that such missiles would be deployed in Belarus, although their exact locations were not revealed until now.

Russia tested a conventionally armed Oreshnik missile against Ukraine in November 2024. Putin claims that this missile can fly at a speed greater than Mach-10 and it is almost impossible for the existing air defense system to stop it.

Impact on global nuclear balance

Experts believe that the deployment of Oreshnik reflects Russia’s increasing dependence on nuclear weapons. Its main purpose may be to prevent NATO countries from providing Ukraine with long-range weapons that could strike deep inside Russia.

This possible deployment comes at a time when the New START treaty signed in 2010 between the US and Russia is about to expire. This treaty limits the number and deployment of strategic nuclear weapons of both countries. Its end may also affect the global nuclear balance.

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Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has already claimed that the first Oreshnik missiles have been deployed in the country and a total of up to 10 missiles can be kept here. However, American researchers say that only a maximum of three launchers can be placed at the site that has been identified, while the remaining missiles can be deployed at some other location.