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The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system had officially entered service, as diplomatic efforts continued to seek a solution to Moscow’s conflict in Ukraine. The deployment of the advanced weapons system took place in neighboring Belarus, where local troops participated in a brief ceremony to mark its operational status.
While the ministry confirmed the activation, it did not disclose the number of missiles deployed or provide further specific details about the system’s capabilities or location within Belarus. Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a speech in December last year, saying that the “Oreshnik” would be ready for combat this month.
In a meeting with top Russian military officials, Putin warned that Moscow intends to expand territorial gains in Ukraine if Kyiv and its Western allies reject the Kremlin’s demands during peace talks.
The announcement comes at a sensitive time for peace discussions between Russia and Ukraine. Donald Trump recently hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Florida resort on Sunday, claiming that Kyiv and Moscow were “closer than ever” to a peace settlement.
However, negotiators are still seeking breakthroughs on key issues, including whose troops will be withdrawn from where in Ukraine and the fate of Russia-occupied Ukraine. Zaporizhia Nuclear power plant, one of the ten largest nuclear power plants in the world. Trump noted that months-long U.S.-led negotiations could still collapse.
Putin has sought to portray himself as the one in a strong position to negotiate as Ukraine’s military struggles to prevent the expansion of Russia’s military.
Putin stressed the need to create a military buffer zone along Russia’s borders at a meeting with senior military officers on Monday. He also claimed that Russian troops were advancing in the east donetsk Ukrainian region and launched an offensive into the southern region of Zaporozhye.
Moscow first used Oreshnik (Russian for “hazelnut tree”) against Ukraine in November 2024, when it fired the experimental weapon from a factory in Dnipro that manufactured the missiles when Ukraine was still a part of the Russian Federation. Soviet Union.
Putin praised the capabilities of the Oreshnik missile, saying its multiple warheads can rush to a target at speeds of up to Mach 10 without being intercepted.
He warned the West that Moscow could use it against Ukraine’s NATO allies, who allow Kiev to use long-range missiles to attack Russian territory.
The head of the Russian missile force also claimed that the “Oleshnik” missile can carry conventional or nuclear warheads and has a range that can reach all areas. Europe.
Medium-range missiles have a flight range of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (310 to 3,400 miles). Washington and Moscow abandoned a Soviet-era treaty banning such weapons in 2019.