Russia Places First Oreshnik Nuclear Missile Base Near NATO Borders, Satellite Images Reveal

Satellite imagery dated February 9 indicates that Belarus is actively developing a new military site potentially intended for the deployment of Russia’s Oreshnik missile system, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. The facility is located at the former Soviet-era airfield Krychau-6 in eastern Belarus.

The images, captured by Planet Labs, show six vehicles whose size and proportions are consistent with known support equipment for the Oreshnik system. However, analysts caution that the image resolution is insufficient to confirm the equipment type with certainty.

In addition to the suspected Oreshnik-associated vehicles, the site features approximately 25 other military vehicles of various types, newly constructed earthen revetments, a building of unknown purpose, and ongoing construction of hangars for equipment storage.

RFE/RL reports that this activity suggests preparations for long-term deployment and operational readiness.

The Krychau-6 site had previously been identified by US researchers at Middlebury College as a potential location for Oreshnik operations. The same location may have served as the filming site for a Ministry of Defense video previously published by Russian and Belarusian authorities, purporting to show the system on active combat duty.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko claimed in 2025 that the Oreshnik system was already deployed in Belarus, in addition to tactical nuclear weapons allegedly stationed on Belarusian territory. According to Lukashenko, Russia could transfer up to ten units of the missile system to Belarus.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later confirmed that Ukrainian intelligence had identified the location of the missile system and had shared this information with international partners.

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War in Ukraine

What Is the Hypersonic Oreshnik Missile Russia Just Used Against Ukraine?

Jan 09, 2026 15:39

Oreshnik is believed to be a modified version of Russia’s RS-26 Rubezh, a road-mobile intermediate-range ballistic missile with an unofficial estimated range of 5,500 kilometers. The system has not been widely documented in open sources.

That range would place cities such as Berlin, Paris, and potentially London within reach if launched from Belarusian territory.

So far, the missile is known to have been used twice. According to the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, Russia test-launched an Oreshnik missile near NATO borders in early 2026 to intimidate Western allies and deter additional military support for Ukraine. A second use was reported during drills in 2025, but official details remain limited.

Despite the buildup, Russia currently possesses only three to four Oreshnik-class missiles, according to Ukrainian intelligence. Moscow is expected to begin serial production of the missile system later in 2026.

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