Russia moves terrifying hypersonic nuclear missiles closer to UK in WW3 terror | World | News
Russia is likely positioning one of its newest and most threatening weapons at an old base in neighbouring Belarus, according to new analysis. The move would see more of Europe within striking distance of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile, which is believed to have a range of 3,100-3,400 miles.
Russian sources claim an Oreshnik launched from Belarus could hit London in just eight minutes, significantly less than the time it would take from its launch site in Kapustin Yar, southern Russia. The weapon was first used in anger by Russia in November last year in an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, with Vladimir Putin declaring it is impossible to intercept.
The strike was so powerful and unusual that Ukrainian authorities voiced concerns it could have been an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), only for the Russian President to later announce it was the Oreshnik.
He said the missile travels at Mach 10 — 10 times the speed of sound — and that “there are currently no ways of counteracting this weapon”.
Researchers Jeffrey Lewis and Decker Eveleth say they believe Oreshniks are being stationed at a former airbase near Krichev, eastern Belarus.
They said they based their finding on satellite imagery from commercial satellite company Planet Labs, the Reuters news agency reported.
The US-based researchers said the images showed features consistent with a Russian strategic missile base and that they were 90% sure mobile Oreshnik launchers would be stationed there.
The site is said to be 300 miles south-west of Moscow and 190 miles east of Minsk, Belarus’ capital.
Mr Putin has previously discussed potentially stationing the Oreshnik in Belarus in the second half of this year.
According to Reuters, Belarusian President and close ally of Mr Putin, Alexander Lukashenko, said last week the first missiles had been deployed to Belarus, with up to 10 in the country.
Analysis by Mr Lewis and Mr Eveleth found the site near Krichev could only hold three launchers, with the others possibly based elsewhere.
It is claimed their research largely tallies with US intelligence assessments.
Mr Lukashenko did not mention where the missiles were being held, while a state-run news agency in Belarus quoted the country’s defence minister as saying the the arrival of Oreshnik was in response to “aggressive actions” from the West.
It comes as Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday accused Belarus of allowing Russia to launch attacks on Ukraine from apartment blocks.
The Ukrainian President said on X: “Regrettably, Belarus is surrendering its sovereignty to Russia’s aggressive ambitions.
“According to our intelligence, the equipment that is used for strikes against Ukraine and located in Belarus along the border is also mounted on residential buildings.
“Antennas and other equipment helping to guide Shahed drones toward targets in our western regions are literally put on the roofs of ordinary five-story apartment blocks.
“This is an absolute disregard for human life, and Minsk must stop playing these games. We will inform our partners and prepare joint responses.”
Kyiv was struck by a Russian missile and drone barrage in the early hours of Saturday, a day before peace talks between Mr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump in Florida.
One person was killed, with at least 20 wounded, authorities said.
