A New Threat to Europe: Russia’s Nuclear Hypersonic Missiles Ready for Deployment

Western sources report that Russia is deploying nuclear-capable hypersonic ballistic missiles at a former airbase in eastern Belarus.

According to Rokna, two American researchers, citing satellite image analysis, stated that Russia is likely deploying nuclear-capable hypersonic ballistic missiles at a former airbase in eastern Belarus, an action that could significantly enhance Moscow’s ability to target wide regions of Europe. Reuters reported that these researchers’ assessments broadly align with the findings of U.S. intelligence agencies.

A knowledgeable source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that U.S. intelligence agencies have reached similar conclusions, although the details of these assessments have not yet been officially released.

The ‘Avangard’ Missile Headed to Belarus

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin had explicitly stated his intention to deploy intermediate-range “Avangard” missiles on Belarusian soil, with an estimated range of up to 3,400 miles (approximately 5,500 kilometers). However, the precise location of these systems had not been officially reported.

Based on the latest research, it now appears that a disused airbase near the city of Krichev in eastern Belarus has been selected as the likely deployment site. The base is approximately 307 kilometers from Minsk, the capital of Belarus, and about 478 kilometers from Moscow.

Some experts believe that deploying Avangard missiles in Belarus reflects the Kremlin’s increasing reliance on the threat of nuclear weapons—a strategy aimed at deterring NATO member states from continuing to supply advanced weapons to Ukraine, particularly systems capable of striking deep within Russian territory.

Russia has repeatedly publicly stated that any expansion of Ukrainian strikes into its territory will be met with “asymmetric” and deterrent responses.

Reuters reports that this assessment was conducted by Jeffrey Lewis, a senior arms control expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California, and Dekker Olivet from the CNA Research Organization in Virginia.

They analyzed satellite images from the commercial company Planet Labs, which they say show features consistent with the infrastructure of a Russian strategic missile base. Lewis and Olivet stated that, with approximately 90 percent confidence, mobile launchers for Avangard missiles will be deployed at this former airbase.

The presence of specific structures and changes in the base area, including dedicated pathways and support facilities, is cited as evidence for this assessment.

In November 2024, Russia tested a non-nuclear Avangard missile against a target in Ukraine. Following that test, Putin claimed that due to its extremely high speed—reportedly exceeding Mach 10—the missile is practically untraceable.

The Russian Embassy in Washington has not responded to requests for comment. The Belarusian Embassy has also declined to provide a statement. However, the state news agency BelTA, quoting Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin, reported that the deployment of Avangard missiles “will not alter the balance of power in Europe” and described it as “a response to aggressive Western actions.”

These developments occur amid ongoing high security tensions between Russia and the West, with the deployment of strategic weapons in Belarus potentially becoming a new focal point in Europe’s security dynamics.