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Belarus to host Oreshnik in response to steps to deploy missiles in Europe — ministry

According to Lagodyuk, the Defense Ministry had been tasked by Supreme Commander-in-Chief Alexander Lukashenko to make sure the country’s defense industry, in cooperation with Russian specialists, will continue to develop this weapon

© Sergei Savostyanov/TASS, archive

MINSK, December 7. /TASS/. The decision to deploy Russia’s Oreshnik missile system in Belarus was driven by the steps that Germany and the US are taking to deploy intermediate-range missiles in Europe, said Deputy Chief of the Belarusian General Staff Sergey Lagodyuk.

"The decision to deploy the Oreshnik system on the territory of the Republic of Belarus has been taken in response to the steps that are being taken by the US and Germany to deploy intermediate-range missiles in Europe," he said in a video posted to Telegram by the country’s Defense Ministry.

According to Lagodyuk, the Defense Ministry had been tasked by Supreme Commander-in-Chief Alexander Lukashenko to make sure the country’s defense industry, in cooperation with Russian specialists, will continue to develop this weapon.

Belarusian President Lukashenko said on December 6 that he had asked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to deploy Oreshnik in Belarus. The Russian president said the missile system could be delivered in the second half of 2025.

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