MINSK, 6 December (BelTA) – Russia will deploy Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus. The relevant decision was made by Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko and President of Russia Vladimir Putin after a session of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Belarus and Russia in Minsk on 6 December, BelTA has learned.
After a ceremony to sign documents was held, Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that he would like to raise another matter due to the established good, brotherly relations. According to the Belarusian leader, the matter was not discussed during the session of the Supreme State Council but the president touched upon the matter during a recent summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Astana.
Why does Lukashenko ask Putin to deploy Oreshnik systems?
“It is a very serious matter. It should be discussed in the open to avoid various conspiracy theories and problems later on,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The head of state stated that Belarus is very worried about the situation in Western Europe. Particularly along the Belarusian borders with Poland and Lithuania. “We estimate this danger is even larger than the danger from Ukraine, which is at war,” he stressed.
The president pointed out that troops of Poland, Lithuania are getting deployed in the vicinity of the Belarusian border. NATO armed forces from other countries, including from Germany, are moving to this area. “In other words, the situation is very intense. Poland spends huge resources on arming its army. If they want to live with us in peace as they claim, why do they spend billions of U.S. dollars on weapons then?” Aleksandr Lukashenko asked a rhetoric question. “In other words, we are very concerned about it. And it is already a threat to our joint military force [of the Union State of Belarus and Russia].”
In connection to this the president addressed Vladimir Putin: “I would like to publicly ask you to have new weapon systems and primarily Oreshnik systems deployed in Belarus’ territory. It would have a serious calming effect on certain minds, who are already ready to fight against Belarus.”
Why does Belarus need Oreshnik?
In his opinion, such deployment is also advisable within the framework of the recently adopted Security Concept and the Treaty on Security Guarantees within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. “We have certain locations where we can deploy these weapons. On one condition: targets for these weapons will be selected by Belarus’ military and political leadership. And for now you will teach us how to use these weapons if they are deployed. Specialists from the Russian Federation should fire Oreshnik military payloads at certain targets. You know how to do it. You’ve demonstrated it recently,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
He stressed that it would significantly enhance the defense of the Union State of Belarus and Russia and certainly the defense of the Belarusian territory. “We are criticized for having [Russian] nuclear weapons deployed [in Belarus] and so on. This [Oreshnik] is not a nuclear weapon but a very effective one,” the Belarusian leader remarked. “Once again I ask you to consider my request. It would be good support not only for my request but the Belarusian nation.”
Why is Oreshnik unique?
In turn, Vladimir Putin reminded that a treaty on guarantees within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia had been signed as a result of the session. This document stipulates Belarus’ and Russia’s mutual commitments as allies that will use all the available forces and assets to defend the two countries. “This is why we have granted the request of the Republic of Belarus to deploy Russian tactical nuclear weapons,” the Russian president said.
According to the Russian leader, the cutting-edge missile systems Oreshnik have no analogs in the world. “Due to two reasons. First, unlike weapons of mass destruction Oreshnik is not an area-of-effect weapon. It achieves results thanks to its precision, not power. Second, if one, two, three complexes are used as a group, the strength of the strike is comparable to the effect of nuclear weapons. But Oreshnik does not pollute the area, has no radioactive consequences because there is no nuclear component in the warheads of these missiles,” Vladimir Putin explained.
Will Russia deploy Oreshnik systems in Belarus?
“I believe the deployment of Oreshnik missile complexes in the territory of the Republic of Belarus is possible. I think it will become possible in the second half of the next year: as the batch production of these complexes in Russia grows and as these missile systems are accepted into service of the Russian strategic forces. These complexes will be shipped to Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces and at the same time we will begin their deployment in Belarus’ territory,” the Russian president stated. “Certainly, there is a number of technical issues specialists need to address. Specifically it is necessary to determine the minimum range taking into account priorities of ensuring the security of the Republic of Belarus.”
Who will control Oreshnik in Belarus?
“Specialists should work on that but I think the opportunities are available. Taking into account the fact that minimal costs will be required for it: Belarus retains certain infrastructure since the days of the Soviet Union. This is why the deployment of such complexes in Belarus will involve minimal spending on preparing the infrastructure. And naturally although the systems will be part of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, nevertheless, targets in the territory of the probable adversary will be selected by the military and political leadership of the Republic of Belarus without a doubt. It is obvious I think,” the Russian leader said.
In his words, these matters will be discussed in a routine manner. “I can only say right away (specialists understand it well): the lower the range, the more powerful the warhead can be,” Vladimir Putin added.
Aleksandr Lukashenko stated he was very satisfied with this answer. “I exploited our friendship because if you want to get something from Putin, you have to get him to make a public promise,” the Belarusian leader summarized.
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