Belarus Confirms Deployment of Russian Missile System

Belarus’s Foreign Ministry has announced the deployment of a Russian-made medium-range ballistic missile system on its territory. Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhenkov said the move is intended to strengthen national security, emphasizing that it does not signal the start of an arms race or an escalation of regional conflict.

President Alexander Lukashenko had previously revealed the plan on September 25 this year, noting that he and Moscow were prepared to deploy the missiles at facilities once used during the Soviet era to store nuclear weapons. The rollout, originally scheduled for completion by the end of this year, has now entered the implementation phase.

Ukrainian authorities have not yet issued an official response. The missile system deployed in Belarus is referred to as “Urshnik,” though Ukrainian defense sources claim its true designation is “Kedr.” It is reportedly an upgraded version of Russia’s RS-26 Rubezh ballistic missile, capable of carrying up to six warheads with submunitions and reaching speeds exceeding Mach 11 in its terminal phase.