Russia Delivers First Hypersonic Missiles, Plans Belarus Deployment

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the production and delivery of the first batch of Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missiles to the Russian army, with plans to deploy them to Belarus by the end of 2025. These medium-range missiles, capable of speeds up to Mach 10 and equipped with multiple warheads, are designed to evade interception and can carry conventional or nuclear warheads, posing a significant threat to NATO and Europe. Deployment sites in Belarus have been selected, deepening the military alliance between Russia and Belarus, with Moscow providing security guarantees including potential nuclear support. The Oreshnik missile has already been used in strikes against Ukraine, signaling Russia's continued offensive in the region despite Western opposition and Ukrainian counterattacks. Separately, Russia has armed its Su-57 stealth fighter jets with hypersonic weapons, possibly including new air-launched missiles under development, further enhancing its advanced military capabilities. These developments underscore Russia's strategic focus on hypersonic technology amid ongoing conflict and geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe.