Putin confirms Russia's hypersonic missile production and deployment plans

In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin revealed on a Friday that Russia has initiated the production of its newest hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik. He made this declaration during a meeting with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on Valaam Island, near St. Petersburg. Putin highlighted plans for the deployment of these missiles to Belarus, emphasizing that the military has already identified potential sites for their installation in Belarus and that preparatory work is expected to conclude by the end of the year. In November, Russia first employed this missile in conflict, targeting a missile factory in Ukraine. Putin praised the capabilities of the Oreshnik, asserting that its multiple warheads are designed to strike targets at speeds of up to Mach 10. He suggested that the destructive power released from a conventional strike involving multiple Oreshnik missiles could rival that of a nuclear attack. This escalation poses a significant threat, especially as it can be used against NATO allies of Ukraine who have facilitated its military operations against Russia. Additionally, Russian missile forces have stated that the Oreshnik can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads, giving it a range that spans across Europe. The introduction of these intermediate-range missiles comes against the backdrop of a revoked treaty that once prohibited such weapons, a pact that the United States and Russia abandoned in 2019. Following this treaty's expiration, Putin further solidified military ties with Belarus. The region is now under a revised Russian nuclear doctrine, which extends security assurances to Belarus, including the potential use of nuclear weapons to counter external threats. Lukashenko's government, currently supported by Russian military strength, has allowed Moscow to utilize Belarusian territory for logistical operations in the Ukraine war. This military collaboration marks a crucial turning point in the dynamics between NATO powers and the Kremlin. The implications of deploying hypersonic missiles in Belarus stir concern among Western nations. The presence of such weapons within striking distance of NATO countries amplifies fears around escalated tensions in Eastern Europe. The Oreshnik's potential to reach targets swiftly and with formidable force against conventional threats suggests a dramatic alteration of the security landscape in the region, raising global questions about the balance between deterrence and provocation. As the situation develops, the world watches closely how this new military doctrine will reshape strategic alignments in Eastern Europe and the role of Belarus as a Russian ally amidst ongoing geopolitical stressing points.