IRIA News

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Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Minsk to finalize a treaty offering security guarantees for Belarus, Moscow’s staunch ally. The agreement solidifies Belarus’ inclusion under the Russian nuclear umbrella, marking a significant shift in regional security dynamics amid ongoing tensions with the West over the conflict in Ukraine.

The treaty was signed during Putin’s meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. It outlines the potential use of Russian nuclear weapons to repel aggression, further solidifying the two nations’ defense strategies.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Putin expressed confidence in the accord’s ability to enhance mutual security. “I’m sure that the treaty will ensure the security of Russia and Belarus,” he stated during televised remarks.

The agreement is a part of Russia’s recently revised nuclear doctrine, which for the first time explicitly includes Belarus. This change reflects a broader reconfiguration of Moscow’s military posture in response to the perceived threat from NATO and Western involvement in Ukraine. The doctrine allows the use of nuclear weapons to counter threats against Russia or its allies, including Belarus, by either nuclear or conventional means.

While the control of Russian tactical nuclear weapons deployed in Belarus remains officially in Moscow’s hands, Belarusian officials claim some degree of shared authority. Secretary of Belarus’ Security Council Alexander Volfovich emphasized that any use of such weapons would require authorization from President Lukashenko.

Critics of the treaty, such as Belarus’ opposition leader-in-exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, view the move as another step toward Moscow consolidating its control over Belarus.

“Putin’s visit to Minsk isn’t about security, it’s about Russia tightening control over our country,” Tsikhanouskaya said adding that “The deployment of new weapons and using Belarus as a pawn in his imperial ambitions threatens us all.”

Deployment of Oreshnik hypersonic missiles

In addition to signing the treaty, the leaders discussed deploying advanced Russian weaponry to Belarus, including the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile system. Lukashenko publicly requested the deployment, citing its potential to bolster Belarusian defense and deter perceived threats.

“I would like to publicly ask you to deploy new weapons systems, primarily Oreshnik, to Belarus,” Lukashenko said. “It will help calm some heads.”

Putin agreed to the request, stating that the Oreshnik missiles could be stationed in Belarus by the second half of next year. While the missiles will remain under Russian control, Moscow has agreed to let Belarus select potential targets.

This decision follows Russia’s first known use of the Oreshnik missile in combat during a November strike against Ukraine. The attack was reportedly a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian facilities in the Bryansk and Kursk regions, carried out with Western-supplied weapons. Putin hailed the missile’s capabilities, noting its speed and ability to evade current air defense systems.

“The Oreshnik’s multiple warheads that plunge to a target at 10 times the speed of sound is immune to interception by any existing air defense systems,” Putin said, emphasizing its effectiveness.

The Oreshnik, named after the Russian word for “hazel tree,” is a new intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads. It was recently unveiled and has not been publicly mentioned before. According to the Pentagon, the missile is derived from the “RS-26 Rubezh” intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

The photos and video footage suggest the Oreshnik is equipped with multiple independently guided warheads. Military experts believe that the missile could be equipped with three to six warheads.

Russian military officials have touted the Oreshnik’s range, which allows it to reach all of Europe, and its flexibility in carrying either conventional or nuclear warheads. This adaptability, coupled with the missile’s speed, has raised alarms in Western capitals, where officials see the deployment as a direct challenge to NATO’s security infrastructure.

The Oreshnik missile’s deployment aligns with Moscow’s lowered threshold for nuclear weapons use, a policy shift that has drawn widespread international criticism. Putin’s updated doctrine allows for nuclear strikes not only in response to weapons of mass destruction but also against conventional threats that jeopardize Russia’s sovereignty or territorial integrity.

The decision to deploy Oreshnik missiles and strengthen nuclear integration underscores the evolving security landscape in Eastern Europe. As NATO strengthens its eastern flank in response to Russia’s aggression, Moscow’s latest moves suggest it is doubling down on its efforts to project power and counter Western influence.