MOSCOW: Russia has announced the deployment of its new nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system to neighboring Belarus, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. The move came a day after Moscow alleged, without providing evidence, that Ukraine conducted a large-scale drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence.
Russian state media released footage showing the missile system moving through a snowy Belarusian forest, with soldiers camouflaging equipment at a base near the Russian border. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko stated that ten Oreshnik systems would be stationed in his country. The deployment brings a strategic weapons system capable of carrying nuclear warheads to the doorstep of NATO and the European Union, symbolically shortening the potential flight time to European capitals.
President Putin confirmed the systems were entering active service during a meeting with military officials, where he reiterated his goal of seizing more Ukrainian territory. The announcement was accompanied by a warning from Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of impending “reprisals” against Kyiv for the alleged drone strike, which he claimed involved 91 drones targeting a presidential palace in the Novgorod region.
However, the Kremlin’s narrative has been met with widespread skepticism. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated no proof of the attack would be provided because all drones were allegedly shot down. Independent Russian media outlet Sota reported that local residents heard no explosions or anti-aircraft fire, and no visual evidence, such as smoke or debris, emerged online—a stark contrast to previous, verified strikes.
Ukraine has firmly denied the accusation. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha dismissed the claim as a fabrication, urging the international community to ignore it. “Almost a day passed, and Russia still hasn’t provided any plausible evidence… No such attack happened,” he stated on social media. The event appears to be a coordinated Kremlin message, combining a disputed provocation with a tangible military escalation.
