Belarus to Drill with Russia on Orechnik Nuclear-Capable Missiles

Belarus has confirmed it will practice deploying Orechnik nuclear-capable missiles during military exercises with Russia. The drills are scheduled to take place near its border with NATO member states.

Belarusian Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin stated that within the framework of the Zapad exercises, they would work with their Russian colleagues on planning the use of this type of weapon. The joint military exercises, named "Zapad-2025", will be held between September 12 and 16.

Russia plans to deploy Orechnik hypersonic missiles, which can carry a nuclear payload, in Belarus by the end of the year. In 2024, Russia used the Orechnik missile, without a nuclear warhead, to strike a military factory in the city of Dnipro, Ukraine.

The Zapad military exercises are a show of force near Belarus's western border with EU and NATO members. However, Belarus stated in May that it would reduce the number of soldiers participating in this year's exercises.