Belarus hosts delivery systems, but no nukes, intel chief says
In Belarus, there are systems capable of delivering nuclear weapons, but the nuclear weapons themselves are not present — this information was provided by the head of Ukrainian foreign intelligence.
Key information
- Systems capable of delivering nuclear weapons have been deployed in Belarus, but the nuclear weapons themselves are not there.
- The head of Ukrainian foreign intelligence, Oleh Ivashchenko, emphasizes that Belarus does not possess nuclear weapons.
- Storage sites for nuclear weapons are under construction in Belarus.
In Belarus, systems capable of delivering nuclear weapons, such as planes and the Iskander missile system, have been deployed. However, as emphasized by the head of Ukrainian foreign intelligence, Oleh Ivashchenko, the nuclear weapons themselves are not present there.
The carriers [of the nuclear weapons] are there. That's true. There are jets, there are Iskander missile systems. But there are no nuclear weapons in Belarus. That's a fact, Ivashchenko said.
According to the head of Ukrainian intelligence, Belarus is preparing storage sites for nuclear weapons. The leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, claims that the country will possess the Oreshnik ballistic missile by the end of the year. However, Ivashchenko believes that this is merely "wishful thinking".
As of today, there is nothing of the sort, and it is unlikely that anything will appear, he added.
Oreshnik: Myths and facts
The Oreshnik ballistic missile is a modification of the Russian RS-26 Rubezh missile. Its maximum range is 3,400 miles. According to the American Institute for the Study of War, Russia's use of the Oreshnik in 2024 was mainly of psychological significance and an attempt to exaggerate the Kremlin's military capabilities.
It was not only an attempt to put pressure on the authorities in Kyiv but also on Western countries that support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
