Russia deploys missile brigade to Belarus as fears grow over new threat to Kyiv

Russia has stationed units of its 101st Missile Brigade, equipped with the Oreshnik intermediate-range missile system, in Belarus, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko. This deployment comes amid a surge in missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, particularly near Kyiv, which have been launched from Russian territory adjacent to Belarus.

Earlier Russia utilized Belarusian soil to launch its 2022 invasion of northern Ukraine. Belarus is currently permitting Russia to utilize its territory to support drone assaults on Ukraine.

Ivashchenko stated that Ukraine currently perceives the military threat from Belarus as low and does not believe Belarus intends to engage directly in the conflict. However, Kyiv is apprehensive about the expanding Russian military presence in Belarus and its role in Russian attacks on Ukraine. The Oreshnik missile system, which Russia has positioned as a new tool capable of striking targets deep into Europe, is capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Nevertheless, Russia has employed Oreshnik systems against Ukraine in non-nuclear strikes.

Belarus has granted Russia the use of its territory to guide radio-signal repeaters that aid in directing Russian Shahed-type attack drones towards Ukrainian civilian and critical infrastructure targets. While Belarus is not currently preparing to enter the war, this cooperation signifies its growing role in facilitating Russia's military operations.

This development raises the prospect of Russia using Belarusian territory for further military capabilities, especially as Moscow escalates its forces and intensifies attacks on Kyiv from the north.