MINSK, 13 March (BelTA) – In comments to the press, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko commented on the statements from Ukraine that the Oreshnik missile system based in Belarus must be considered a lawful target for NATO, BelTA has learned.
“This isn’t even newsworthy. This is sheer stupidity, and fools are talking about it. I’m not saying that tomorrow we’ll hit Vilnius, Warsaw or Kiev with the Oreshnik. God forbid. That’s not our goal. We need to defend our country. But if you don’t want us to use the Oreshnik, then don’t mess with us. Either Ukraine, or Poland, or Lithuania, or Latvia. Let's settle matters like human beings,” the president said.
“Let them consider it a legitimate target. They were furious, they wept, and now they’ve gone quiet - just as I regard certain things as legitimate targets for the Belarusian Armed Forces. I’m not making threats. This is so they don't seize on this again and provoke a situation,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “Do they think that if they regard facilities on Belarusian territory as legitimate targets, I will simply remain idle and observe? I am capable of engaging at 70 kilometers, at 200 kilometers. We have the necessary means to strike back. Therefore, I would counsel them to refrain from idle chatter and needless provocation. If they consider the Oreshnik a legitimate target, so be it.”
“This isn’t even newsworthy. This is sheer stupidity, and fools are talking about it. I’m not saying that tomorrow we’ll hit Vilnius, Warsaw or Kiev with the Oreshnik. God forbid. That’s not our goal. We need to defend our country. But if you don’t want us to use the Oreshnik, then don’t mess with us. Either Ukraine, or Poland, or Lithuania, or Latvia. Let's settle matters like human beings,” the president said.
“Let them consider it a legitimate target. They were furious, they wept, and now they’ve gone quiet - just as I regard certain things as legitimate targets for the Belarusian Armed Forces. I’m not making threats. This is so they don't seize on this again and provoke a situation,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “Do they think that if they regard facilities on Belarusian territory as legitimate targets, I will simply remain idle and observe? I am capable of engaging at 70 kilometers, at 200 kilometers. We have the necessary means to strike back. Therefore, I would counsel them to refrain from idle chatter and needless provocation. If they consider the Oreshnik a legitimate target, so be it.”
The head of state also noted that the Oreshnik is a mobile system. “A dozen decoy targets. That is, ten vehicles will take to the route. They take a look from above and see ten Oreshniks. But there will be just one. So for any poison, there is always an antidote,” he stated. “We proceed from this. Yes, it is a little more expensive. We thank Putin; this is his personal assistance. I asked him, and he did it. And moreover, we paid money for it. Thank you! But we bought this weapon. So does that mean I consider some Ukrainian battery near Kiev a legitimate target? I do not. Not even a Polish or German one. Even if they are aimed at us.”
“Yesterday or the day before, a drone fell wounding a woman of ours. We started investigating. It’s Ukrainian. Did you hear go hysterical calling them names? Although I had the right to. This isn’t the first time. I start looking into why it fell. The Ukrainians didn’t strike at us. A Russian electronic warfare system interfered sending the drone off course. Its battery ran out and it fell uncontrollably. The war is going on nearby. That’s just how it happened. Well, yes, we could shout, but what would change? Nothing," the president said.
“Yesterday or the day before, a drone fell wounding a woman of ours. We started investigating. It’s Ukrainian. Did you hear go hysterical calling them names? Although I had the right to. This isn’t the first time. I start looking into why it fell. The Ukrainians didn’t strike at us. A Russian electronic warfare system interfered sending the drone off course. Its battery ran out and it fell uncontrollably. The war is going on nearby. That’s just how it happened. Well, yes, we could shout, but what would change? Nothing," the president said.
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