Russia's invasion of Ukraine

The terror weapon is on display - new threats of attacks

Johan Edgar

Published 2025-12-30 23.51

 

Photo: Russian Presidential Press Service Via AP

Russia shows off the movement of the Oreshnik missile system across the border - and closer to the EU.

The propaganda move is made after accusations of an assassination attempt on Putin.

The Kremlin threatens revenge.

But according to witnesses, there is no indication that the attack occurred.

The images from the Russian Defense Ministry show how the Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile system was transported through the forests on its way to a military base in Belarus.

A ceremony was held and a flag was raised to celebrate the system being taken into "active service".

The missile, which has the capacity to use nuclear weapons, was first used in connection with an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro last year.

 

A ceremony was held at the military base in Belarus to celebrate the Oreshnik being put into “active service”. Photo: Russian Defense Ministry Via AP

When Western Europe is in a shorter time

Putin stated this summer that Oreshnik has entered serial production. Its speed and maneuverability make it difficult to shoot down.

The medium-range missile, if fired from Belarus, can now reach strategic targets in Western Europe faster than before.

 

Belarus Lukashenko and Putin during a meeting in December. Photo: Alexander Kazakov / AP

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko stated as early as the week before Christmas that Oreshnik was in place in the country.

– Oreshnik has been in Belarus since yesterday. It is combat-ready, he said in a speech on December 18.

But only now has Russia chosen to publish the images of the terrifying weapon.

 

Russia has released images of the feared weapon. Photo: Russian Defense Ministry Via AP

Threatens: Designated target for revenge

The threat to the EU comes just a day after the Russian accusation that Ukraine carried out an assassination attempt on Vladimir Putin.

According to Russia, 91 drones were shot down on Sunday night that were supposed to have been sent in a coordinated attack on Putin's residence in the Novgorod region.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has threatened a military response against Ukraine and states that the targets for the revenge attacks have already been designated.

Ukraine has completely dismissed the allegations as false.

The Kremlin has not shown any evidence that the attack actually occurred, writes The Guardian.

 

Belarus has confirmed that Oreshnik is in the country. Photo: Russian Defense Ministry Via AP

No one has heard or seen

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that no evidence could be presented because all the drones had been shot down.

He said he could not comment on why no wreckage had been found of the allegedly downed aircraft.

According to the Russian independent news site Sota, residents in the area where the attack is said to have occurred said they had heard neither the sound of explosions nor anti-aircraft fire, writes The Guardian.

 

The robot system is covered by camouflage netting during an exercise somewhere in Belarus. Photo: Russian Defense Ministry Via AP

No pictures or videos have appeared on social media showing smoke and fire at the scene.

"Almost a day has passed without Russia showing any credible evidence for its accusations. If they do, they won't. Because there is none. No such attack has occurred," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha wrote on X.