Ukrainian intelligence believes that Belarus does not have 'Oreshnik', although Lukashenko believes it does
Despite Lukashenka's loud statements about "dozens of warheads" and "Oreshnik" missiles, Ukrainian intelligence believes that nothing of the sort has been recorded in Belarus. Nevertheless, a place for nuclear "surprises" seems to be being prepared.
Here's What We Know
In an interview with Ukrinform, the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, Oleh Ivashchenko, denied that Belarus has nuclear weapons and medium-range Oreshnik missiles, as repeatedly stated by Alexander Lukashenko. According to him, the country does have fighter jets and Iskander systems that can carry a nuclear charge, but there are no warheads there at the moment.
However, the Belarusian infrastructure is gradually preparing for something more serious - intelligence records the arrangement of sites for the potential storage of nuclear munitions. That is, there is a desire, but the implementation is still stalled.
Meanwhile, last year, Lukashenko said that he had already received several dozen tactical nuclear weapons from Russia. According to him, all those who called it a joke simply "did not notice how we brought them here".
He also added that Moscow was ready to transfer Oreshnik missile systems to Belarus. They were supposed to be installed at former Soviet sites for strategic weapons. But, as Ivashchenko says, nothing of the sort is on the horizon.
"It looks like wishful thinking. Today, there is nothing like that, and it is unlikely that it will appear," he concluded.
Talks about Belarus' nuclear arsenal have been frequent since 2023, when Russia transferred Iskander missile systems to Minsk. The Kremlin, led by Putin, then actively promoted the theme of "mutual defence" within the Union State. Lukashenka, as always, did not mind - he even actively asked for it.
In April 2024, the Belarusian military began exercises with Iskanders, including the possible use of nuclear warheads. The then Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu said that Belarusian attack aircraft could already carry out nuclear strikes. And at the end of the year, Putin and Lukashenko officially signed a treaty on security guarantees within the Union State with a rather broad interpretation of "all available means of defence".
Source: Ukrinform
