«Oreshnik» enters combat duty in Belarus: Statements by Russia and Belarus

Russia and Belarus say the mobile, ground-based «Oreshnik» missile system has entered combat duty on Belarusian territory.

The information comes from statements issued by the defence ministries of both countries.

On 30 December, Russia’s Ministry of Defence published a video showing a ceremonial event marking the start of combat duty for a Russian unit equipped with the «Oreshnik» missile system.

The statement does not say where exactly the system is deployed, nor does it specify how many personnel are involved in operating it. It adds that launch crews, communications, protection and power supply specialists, as well as driver-mechanics assigned to the missile unit, completed retraining before taking up combat duty.

«All necessary conditions for combat duty and for the accommodation of Russian servicemen have been established in the Republic of Belarus in advance. The unit’s personnel are mastering new areas of combat patrol, ” Russia’s Defence Ministry added.

Similar information was published by Belarus’s Defence Ministry. It additionally stressed that the system is «capable of reaching targets at distances of up to 5,000 kilometres, can be equipped with both conventional and special warheads, and can be launched from any point along its combat patrol route.»