Putin reportedly ‘moving nukes close to EU border’ after deploying ‘unstoppable’ hypersonic weapons that can hit London in 8 minutes

Vladimir Putin has deployed what has been described as one of Russia’s deadliest weapons to Belarus, prompting fresh warnings from the country’s exiled opposition leader.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said Europe must pay closer attention to developments in Belarus after the nuclear-capable, hypersonic missile system known as Oreshnik was moved there.

“We see how on Belarusian territory, Alexander Lukashenko’s regime has intensified the presence of Russia,” she told The Telegraph. “They are about to deploy nuclear weapons [to Belarus], Russian missiles. So it looks like they’re preparing for escalation.”

Tsikhanouskaya said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom she recently met, was aware of the risks, noting that “this escalation might affect not only Ukraine but also European countries.” “So we have to put more attention on what is happening in Belarus,” she added.

The Oreshnik is a mobile intermediate-range missile system that experts say could reach the UK within minutes. While capable of carrying nuclear warheads, it has so far reportedly been deployed with conventional payloads. In December, Russia’s defence ministry released footage it said showed an Oreshnik system being placed on combat duty in Belarus, with President Alexander Lukashenko stating that 10 such systems would be stationed in the country.

Satellite imagery has pointed to a possible deployment site near Krychau in eastern Belarus, close to the Russian border. New buildings have been erected at what was previously an abandoned airfield, and railway infrastructure has reportedly been rebuilt.

Decker Eveleth, a nuclear weapons and deterrence analyst at CNA, said recent imagery suggests significant activity at the site. “I believe probably at least two objects that are likely launchers, maybe three,” he wrote. He added: “Also, placing the possible launchers/support vehicles in plain view before the garages are even up should suggest how fast they are moving forward with this.”

However, some analysts have downplayed the strategic shift. Kurt Volker, former US special envoy to Ukraine, said there is “a lot more nuance about this.” “First off, the command and control of Russian nuclear weapons remains Russian command and control,” he said.

“If they’re in Russia, or if they’re a few hundred kilometres further forward in Belarus, it doesn’t really matter, they’re nuclear weapons, and they’re under Russian command and control, and they’re pointed at all of us.” He added: “Let’s not get too alarmed… that this is now some kind of new threat.”

The development comes amid heightened military activity in Belarus, including combat readiness checks and missile exercises involving ballistic and cruise systems such as Iskander. Lukashenko was recently shown inspecting armed forces as drills continued across several training grounds.

Tsikhanouskaya’s warning also follows broader tensions linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine, with allies such as North Korea reportedly facing domestic consequences after sending troops to support Moscow’s campaign.