Tsikhanouskaya Warns of Russian Nuclear Threat in Belarus
Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has warned that Russia is attempting to position nuclear missiles closer to the European Union border and is utilizing Belarus to expand its war in Ukraine. She is urging Western nations to increase their attention to the situation in Belarus.
Belarus-Russia Relations and Military Support
Speaking in an interview, Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the require to differentiate between the Lukashenko regime and the Belarusian people, stating the regime is entirely loyal to Russian President Vladimir Putin. She highlighted that Belarus is significantly contributing to the Russian military industry, with approximately 300 companies, including drone manufacturers, providing support to Russia The Moscow Times.
This support, according to Tsikhanouskaya, suggests preparations for a potential escalation of the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shares this concern, as she recently discussed with him.
Nuclear Deployment and Regional Security
Tsikhanouskaya expressed concern over Russia’s efforts to deploy nuclear weapons and missiles within Belarus, potentially impacting not only Ukraine but also European countries. In December 2024, Russia deployed the hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile ‘Oreshnik’, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, to an air base in eastern Belarus Wikipedia.
The Oreshnik missile, with a range of up to 5,000 km, can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads. Russian President Vladimir Putin boasted of its capabilities, stating it cannot be intercepted by existing defense networks.
Call for Increased Western Support for Ukraine
Tsikhanouskaya stressed the importance of active Western support for Ukraine to achieve victory, arguing that a failure to do so would embolden Putin and potentially endanger neighboring countries like Moldova, Armenia, and Georgia. She warned that without sufficient support for Ukraine, Belarus could face decades of continued authoritarian rule.
Conversely, she predicted that a Ukrainian victory would weaken Russia internally, subsequently diminishing the power of the Lukashenko regime in Belarus Tsikhanouskaya.org.
Tsikhanouskaya’s Background and Opposition Role
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya ran against Alexander Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential election but was forced into exile in Lithuania following the disputed results. She has since continued to campaign against the Lukashenko regime from abroad Wikipedia.
Her husband, Syarhei Tsikhanouski, was arrested after declaring his own presidential aspirations and was recently released in June 2024, though at least 1,240 political prisoners remain incarcerated in Belarus RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty.