MOSCOW, March 14. /TASS/. Russian-made Oreshnik intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile systems will enter service with the Belarusian army soon, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said on Friday.

"Tactical nuclear weapons have been transferred to us. Shortly, the latest Oreshnik hypersonic weapon systems will enter service with the Belarusian army," Lukashenko said in the upper house of Russia’s parliament.

Launchers for Oreshnik missiles will be produced in Belarus, he added.

"Several missiles [Minsk expects to receive] while we will make the launchers," Lukashenko said.

Belarus plans to complete the production of launchers for Oreshnik missiles by the end of the year, he said.

After that, Belarus will determine jointly with Russia the sites for Oreshnik missile systems in the republic, he added.

"We have agreed with the Russian president to defend our common Fatherland," Lukashenko stressed. "Our arsenal comprises the regional grouping of forces from Belarus and Russia and the regional air defense system."

Lukashenko said in late January that the Oreshnik missile system would soon be deployed in the republic. He further said that it could be deployed on the republic’s territory closer to the western Russian city of Smolensk.