The president made the statement in response to questions regarding the deployment of Russia’s new hypersonic missile system
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has confirmed that nuclear weapons are present in Belarus. His comments came on Tuesday during a question-and-answer session with factory workers, BelTA news agency has reported.
“I have brought in nuclear warheads – more than just a few,” Lukashenko stated. He dismissed any skepticism, suggesting that those who doubt the presence of the weapons in the country “didn’t even notice when we brought them in.”
Lukashenko’s remarks were prompted by inquiries about the planned deployment of the Russian Oreshnik missile complex in Belarus. While the Oreshnik system itself is not classified as nuclear, it possesses significant firepower.
The Oreshnik is an intermediate-range system, with missiles capable of carrying kinetic warheads that strike at hypersonic speeds. After Ukraine launched several attacks deep into Russia using Western-supplied long-range weapons, Moscow retaliated with a strike on a defense facility in Dnepropetrovsk with the Oreshnik.
Discussing the implications of using nuclear weapons, Lukashenko remarked on the grave responsibility involved. “Since Hiroshima and Nagasaki, no one has pressed the nuclear button. Not even the most powerful states, let alone Belarus,” he said. However, he warned adversaries against crossing Belarus’ borders, stating that any aggression would be met with an immediate response, regardless of the type of weapon involved.
“We agreed on this with the Russians even before they returned our nuclear weapons. This is not the same weapon that we gave them; that was strategic weapons. These are tactical nuclear weapons, which are probably five times more powerful than the Oreshnik,” he added.
The announcement comes shortly after a security treaty signed between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Lukashenko allowing both nations to use all available means for mutual defense. Following their meeting, Putin indicated that Oreshnik missile systems could potentially be stationed in Belarus by next year, depending on their integration into Russia’s strategic military capabilities.
