Putin’s “unstoppable” Oreshnik missile deployed in Belarus threatens European capitals
Meta description: Russia has deployed its hypersonic Oreshnik missile system in Belarus, capable of striking European targets within minutes, raising security concerns as tensions over the Ukraine war persist.
Russia has deployed a new hypersonic missile system in Belarus that Western analysts say could significantly reduce the time it would take for a strike on major European capitals. The missile, known as the Oreshnik, is a mobile intermediate-range ballistic weapon that Russian officials describe as difficult to intercept and capable of carrying multiple warheads. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed that the system was placed on combat alert, marking the first time the weapon has been publicly shown on Belarusian soil amid rising tensions over the war in Ukraine and stalled peace negotiations. The deployment was announced at a ceremony attended by senior military personnel, with footage released by the Belarusian Defence Ministry showing the missile launchers camouflage-netted and moving through forested terrain. Analysts believe the Oreshnik launchers are stationed near Krychaw in eastern Belarus, a location close to the Russian border that places much of Europe within reach. The range of the missile is estimated at up to 5,000 kilometres, which British security analysts say could put cities such as London within striking distance in as little as eight minutes due to the weapon’s hypersonic speed, although official Western assessments vary slightly on exact travel times. The missile’s speed and manoeuvring capabilities are central to Russian claims that it is effectively “unstoppable” by current defence systems, a boast that has alarmed NATO countries and intensified concerns about possible escalation in the broader conflict. Critics caution that the deployment deepens regional insecurity and may further strain diplomatic efforts to end hostilities in Ukraine.
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