Putin Warns Of Oreshnik Missile Deployment In Response To U.S. Nuclear Submarines.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has escalated tensions with the United States, warning that Russia will deploy its advanced Oreshnik hypersonic missiles if the U.S. positions nuclear submarines in response to ongoing geopolitical frictions. The statement, made on Friday during a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Valaam Island near St Petersburg, comes amid heightened rhetoric over the Ukraine conflict and follows former U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of repositioning two nuclear submarines closer to Russia.
Putin confirmed that Russia has begun mass production of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, which he claims can travel at speeds exceeding Mach 10 and is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. He revealed that deployment sites for the missile have already been selected in Belarus, a close Russian ally sharing a 1,084-kilometre border with Ukraine. “Work is underway to prepare these positions, and we will likely complete this by the end of the year,” Putin stated, suggesting a strategic move to counter Western military actions. The Oreshnik, first used against a Ukrainian defence factory in Dnipro in November 2024, is touted by Russia as nearly impossible to intercept due to its speed and multiple warheads, though experts question its unproven capabilities.
The Russian leader’s remarks were prompted by Trump’s order to deploy two nuclear submarines to unspecified regions, a move triggered by provocative comments from Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council. Medvedev’s reference to nuclear capabilities and Russia’s Cold War-era “Dead Hand” system prompted Trump to state on Truth Social that the submarines were a precautionary measure to ensure “words remain just words.” Putin’s response, widely circulated on social media but unverified in direct quotes, underscores Russia’s readiness to counter U.S. military posturing with its own advanced weaponry.
This exchange follows a backdrop of escalating tensions, with Trump setting a deadline for Russia to negotiate an end to the Ukraine conflict by next week or face new sanctions. Russian forces have intensified their campaign, launching a record number of drones in July, while Ukraine mourns civilian casualties from recent missile strikes. The Oreshnik’s potential deployment in Belarus could extend Russia’s reach to NATO allies in Eastern and Central Europe, raising concerns about a broader conflict. Putin’s updated nuclear doctrine, signed in 2024, lowers the threshold for nuclear weapon use, heightening fears of escalation.
Analysts view Putin’s statement as a calculated signal to both NATO and Ukraine’s Western backers, particularly in response to Kyiv’s use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles like ATACMS. Military experts, however, caution that the Oreshnik’s capabilities may be overstated for propaganda purposes, citing a reported failed launch in Kazakhstan in June 2025. Despite this, the missile’s ability to carry multiple warheads and its reported range of up to 5,000 kilometres pose a significant threat to European security.
As both sides engage in nuclear sabre-rattling, the international community remains on edge. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for direct talks with Putin, supported by the U.S., to end the war, but Russia’s demands remain unchanged. With the Oreshnik’s deployment looming and U.S. submarines repositioned, the risk of miscalculation grows, evoking comparisons to Cold War-era standoffs.