16:57 10-11-2025

Lukashenko: Belarus Doesn’t Need Russia’s Burevestnik or Poseidon

Alexander Lukashenko stated that Belarus has sufficient nuclear deterrence and does not require Russia’s Burevestnik or Poseidon systems, highlighting new deployments under Moscow’s defense partnership.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that his country has no need for Russia’s latest strategic weapons-the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater drone-arguing that Minsk already possesses enough nuclear deterrence.

Speaking at a meeting focused on Belarus’s socio-economic plans for 2026–2030, Lukashenko said the republic’s security is firmly guaranteed by its existing arsenal, including tactical nuclear weapons stationed in Belarus as part of close defense cooperation with Moscow.

He noted that in December, the Russian missile system Oreshnik would enter combat duty, strengthening the country’s strategic readiness. Lukashenko added that Oreshnik would not be tied to one location, implying that the system would remain mobile or capable of relocation.

The Belarusian leader remarked that advanced systems like Burevestnik or Poseidon were unnecessary for his country. He pointed out that the Burevestnik-a nuclear-powered missile capable of flying for 24 hours and striking targets from as far away as Vladivostok-makes forward deployment redundant. As for Poseidon, he said it would be absurd to consider using such a weapon in Belarusian lakes.

His comments came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the successful completion of Burevestnik flight tests. The missile, equipped with a nuclear propulsion unit, reportedly covered over 14,000 kilometers and demonstrated an ability to bypass both missile and air defense systems.

According to Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov, this distance was not the limit of the system’s capabilities.

Military expert Alexander Stepanov of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration told TASS that Burevestnik’s strength lies in its flexibility: the missile can be deployed from surface vessels or mobile ground-based launchers, expanding its operational versatility.