Russia Deploys Nuclear-Capable Oreshnik Missile System in Belarus Amid Rising Tensions
Russia has deployed its Oreshnik nuclear-capable missile system in Belarus, with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announcing that ten such systems will be stationed in the country. Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that these missile systems are entering active service. The Russian defence ministry released video footage showing an Oreshnik missile being moved at an airbase near eastern Belarus, close to the Russian border. This deployment is viewed as part of a broader strategy to intimidate and escalate military presence in Europe.
The move follows Moscow's claim of a Ukrainian drone attack on Putin's residence in the Novgorod region. However, no independent evidence has been presented to verify this claim. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that missiles were shot down but declined to comment on drone debris, while local residents reported no explosions. In response to the alleged attack, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned of forthcoming reprisals against Kyiv, asserting that targets have already been prepared.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha dismissed the Russian claims as fabricated and urged the international community to ignore them, criticizing responses from countries including India, Pakistan, and the UAE. Contrastingly, U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Russia's version of events, stating that Putin had spoken to him about the attack. Trump also had a two-hour meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida, discussing a 20-point peace plan that includes congressional security guarantees for Kyiv.
President Zelenskyy reported no progress regarding the Donbas region and proposed establishing a demilitarised zone confirmed later by referendum after a ceasefire lasting at least 60 days. Zelenskyy is set to meet European leaders in France on 6 January to discuss potential peacekeeping contributions. Ukrainian military commanders indicated that Russian kamikaze drones frequently fly over the Koncha-Zaspa presidential palace, with two such drones recently shot down over Kyiv's government district.
