On June 26, 2025, Russia announced the commencement of full-scale production of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile. This hypersonic weapon, derived from the RS-26 Rubezh program, is designed to travel at speeds exceeding Mach 10 and can carry nuclear warheads.
The Oreshnik has a range of up to 5,500 kilometers and is mounted on a Belarus-made MZKT-7930 "Astrolog" transporter-erector-launcher (TEL). This allows for rapid repositioning and enhances its survivability.
Deployment in Belarus is anticipated in the latter half of 2025, pending agreements and preparations. This move is expected to significantly reduce the time required for the missile to reach key targets in Europe.