Photo courtesy of the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry/TASS
MINSK, 9 December (BelTA) – After Americans started designing medium-range ground-based systems for deployment in Europe, Russia had to create a system of its own, which was named Oreshnik [hazel wood]. The independent military analyst Aleksandr Alesin shared the opinion in an episode of BelTA’s YouTube project V Teme [on point].
Aleksandr Alesin said: “After Americans withdrew from this treaty [Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty], Russia undertook a unilateral obligation. If Americans don’t deploy such systems in Europe, then Russia won’t create and deploy such systems. After Americans started designing medium-range land-based systems with the aim of deploying them in Europe, Russia pushed pedal to the metal, so to say.”
According to the military analyst, Russia used existing prototypes to create a new system within the shortest possible time under the name Oreshnik. “If such systems are deployed in Kamchatka or Chukotka, then the territory of the United States will be in range. These systems are not classified as ballistic strategic missiles. But what else is peculiar about them? Without reducing the number of medium-range missiles, Russia can increase its stock of medium-range ballistic missiles,” he stressed.
Speaking about reasons behind the possible deployment of Oreshnik missiles in Belarus’ territory, Aleksandr Alesin pointed out the numerical advantage of NATO countries in comparison with the combined military strength of Belarus and Russia. Meanwhile, systems like Oreshnik can negate NATO’s advantage.
“Apart from that, NATO’s combined aviation strength is much larger. And they have a very well-developed military and industrial complex, which operation slowed down in the past because they thought Russia was on its knees and they didn’t have to waste money on that. But don’t be mistaken. NATO will step up the operation of its military machine,” the military analyst is convinced.
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