Reuters finds out where Russian-made Oreshnik systems may be deployed in Belarus

Russia is likely deploying its new Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missiles at a former air base in eastern Belarus near the city of Krychaw. This conclusion was reached by two American researchers based on satellite imagery.

Source: Reuters; European Pravda

Details: Jeffrey Lewis of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California and Decker Eveleth of the CNA research and analysis organisation in Virginia identified the potential location of the Oreshnik missile systems using images from the commercial satellite company Planet Labs.

Lewis and Eveleth said they are 90% confident that Oreshnik launchers will be deployed at a former air base near Krychaw – about 307 km east of Minsk and 478 km south-west of Moscow. The American researchers noted that analysis of Planet Labs images revealed hasty construction that began between 4 and 12 August and showed features characteristic of a Russian strategic missile base.

One "dead giveaway" in a photograph dated 19 November is a "military-grade rail transfer point" surrounded by fencing, where missiles, their mobile launchers and other components could be delivered by train, Eveleth said.

Another feature, according to Lewis, is the pouring of a concrete pad at the end of the runway, which was later covered with soil – something he believes is "consistent with a camouflaged launch point".

According to a Reuters source, the researchers' assessment broadly aligns with the conclusions of US intelligence agencies.

Background: Last week, Belarusian self-proclaimed president Alexander Lukashenko announced that the Russian-made Oreshnik missile system had been put on combat duty.

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