RUSSIA is set to deploy Oreshnik hypersonic missiles capable of carrying nukes at Nato’s doorsteps in a chilling taunt to the West.
It comes as Vladimir Putin and his pal Alexander Lukashenko today signed a security agreement that finalises the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear arms in Belarus – Moscow‘s closest ally.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko enter the hall during the Supreme Council of Russia and Belarus on December 6, 2024[/caption]
Putin and Lukashenko attend a signing ceremony during a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union States of Russia and Belarus[/caption]
The signing of the document follows an amendment in Russia‘s nuclear doctrine, which for the first time placed Belarus under the Russian nuclear umbrella amid the tensions between Moscow and the West.
It effectively gives Lukashenko control over the potential use of Russian tactical nuclear weapons deployed to Belarus in response to aggression.
Putin said in a televised remark: “I’m sure that the treaty will ensure the security of Russia and Belarus.”
After the two leaders signed the security pact, Lukashenko asked pal Putin to deploy the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) that Russia used for the first time last month against Ukraine.
He said: “I would like to publicly ask you to deploy new weapons systems, primarily Oreshnik, to Belarus. It will help calm some heads.”
Putin responded saying the newly-developed missiles could be deployed to Belarus as soon as next year, adding that they would remain under Russian control but Moscow will allow Belarus to select the targets.
Lukashenko assured that Russian nuclear weapons deployed on the Belarusian territory would not be used without his permission.
But warned that Belarus will use them “if need be”.
Aleksandr Volfovich, head of the Security Council of Belarus, bragged about the weapons, saying both Belarus and Russia have their own big red buttons.
Volfovich said: “Every president has his own red button, his own suitcase, his own nuclear briefcase
“Every leader of the two states has his own obligations, rights and tasks concerning the defence of their own nation and sovereignty.
“Weapons, which are in Belarus’ territory, can be used only by the president of Belarus. And the weapons, which are located in Russia’s territory, can be used and can be given orders only by the president of Russia.”
Putin’s remarks on Russia-belarus security treaty
“Today we will sign an interstate treaty on security guarantees within the framework of the Union State. It establishes mutual allied obligations for ensuring defence, protecting the sovereignty, independence, and constitutional order of Russia and Belarus, as well as the integrity and inviolability of the territory and external border of the Union State.
“This includes the use of all available forces and means. Specifically, this refers to Russian tactical nuclear weapons stationed on the territory of the Republic of Belarus at the suggestion of the President of Belarus.”
Putin unveiled the nuclear-capable weapon last month after using it to strike the city of Dnipro in central Ukraine, sharply escalating tensions in the almost three-year-long conflict.
The dictator revealed he blasted Ukraine with a new kind of ballistic missile that hurtled down from the edge of space in a “depraved” act of nuclear brinkmanship.
It was a direct response to Ukraine’s use of US-made ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles.
Experts believe the new missile flies at 10 times the speed of sound and may be able to strike targets up to 5,500 kilometres (3,400 miles) away.
Tactical nuclear weapons, designed for use on the battlefield, are smaller than the strategic nuclear weapons used to wipe out whole cities but are still extremely destructive.
Putin has also vowed to massively increase his chilling arsenal of Oreshnik missiles.
Russia’s tyrant gleefully boasted about his new hypersonic war toy in his latest rambling speech as he vowed to crush his enemies and directly threatened Volodymyr Zelensky.
Moscow is Belarus’s closest ally, with the two countries strengthening their military cooperation throughout the Kremlin‘s offensive in Ukraine.
Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron hand for more than 30 years – and has relied on Russian subsidies and support – allowed Russia to use his country’s territory to send troops into Ukraine in February 2022.
Russia had already deployed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus in 2023.
Earlier this year, Putin’s pal Lukashenko warned of a nuclear war as the dictator deployed troops along the entire border with Ukraine.
Minsk now has a third of its forces stationed along the “heavily mined” southern frontier.
Moscow is Belarus’s closest ally[/caption]