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Belarus’s Lukashenko Accidentally Reveals Russia’s Secret “Oreshnik” Missile Platform
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has inadvertently revealed the appearance of Russia’s latest medium-range ballistic missile system, known as “Oreshnik” (also referred to as “Kedr”), according to Defense Express on October 1.
Images published by the Belarusian state-run outlet “Pul Pervogo” showed a model of the missile system placed inside Lukashenko’s office during his meeting with the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan.
The positioning of the model, turned toward television cameras, allowed details of the launcher to be seen.
According to Defense Express, the launcher is mounted on the MZKT-79291 chassis, a heavy vehicle produced by the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant in Belarus.
This chassis, with a 12×12 wheel configuration, has previously been used for Russian intercontinental missile systems such as the RT-2PM2 Topol-M and the RS-26 Rubezh.
The publication notes that the vehicle is capable of carrying a payload of roughly 60 tons, similar to earlier Soviet-era missile platforms like the MAZ-547, which supported the RSD-10 Pioneer system.
Based on visual analysis of the model and comparisons with previous missile systems, Defense Express estimates the launch weight of the “Oreshnik” missile, together with its container, at approximately 45–48 tons. Without the container, the missile itself is believed to weigh around 40–43 tons.
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Earlier reporting suggested that Russia had deployed the “Oreshnik” system to Belarus, presenting the move as necessary for “security” rather than a step toward escalation.
The RS-26 Rubezh, which many analysts associate with the “Oreshnik” project, has been under development for more than seven years and was previously criticized in the West as a violation of the now-defunct Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
Belarus’s role is central because the MZKT-79291 chassis is one of the few platforms capable of carrying Russia’s largest mobile missile systems. As Defense Express highlighted, Russian efforts to replace Belarusian heavy chassis with domestic KamAZ designs have struggled, with the Russian alternative proving about 10 tons less capable.
