The Russians can usage their fresh rocket system, Oriesznik, during the Zapad-25 exercise. Dariusz Materniak writes about the rocket troops of the Russian Federation for PAP, analyzing their possible and capabilities.
Missile troops are a very crucial component of the Russian and Belarusian armed forces, and crucial financial resources are being allocated to their modernisation and development. The basic equipment of the rocket units in the Russian Army – and since 2024 besides the Belarusian Army – are the rocket sets of the short Iskander-M/K (9K720, in NATO code: SS-26 Stone). They have the capability to carry 2 types of missiles: a ballistic 9M723 with a scope of 500 km (M version) and a 9M728 (K version) maneuvering rocket with a scope of at least 500 km. Each rocket carries a warhead weighing about 500 kg (or, according to any sources, larger, 720 kg).
The squadron of the Iskander set has 4 mobile launchers in its equipment, each of which can launch 2 missiles. With the Iskander strategy launcher, a 3M14 Calibr rocket can besides be fired (designated for ship launchers; land version marked as 9M729). According to the U.S., this is simply a violation of the provisions of the 1987 INF Treaty on the prohibition of mid-range missiles, as the Kalibrys have a scope of about 2,500 km.
Russia's armed forces have been utilizing Iskander kits since the beginning of the full-scale war with Ukraine, primarily to attack targets of major importance (energy infrastructure, command centres, ammunition depots, etc.). Ballistic missiles are the hardest mark for anti-aircraft defence systems, mainly due to advanced velocity in the final phase of flight before hitting the target. Additionally, Iskander-M systems besides have decoys that are fired to confuse the enemy's anti-aircraft systems.
The Ukrainian Army uses 1 version of S-300W systems (before 2022) to defend against attacks with ballistic missiles. Ukraine's Armed Forces had 3 S-300 batteries of this version, upgraded after 2014), as well as US Patriot kits, delivered since spring 2023. The Patriot strategy proved to be a very effective defensive measure, even against ballistic missiles. Ukraine presently has respective (probably 7 or eight) Patriot batteries, and president Volodymyr Zelenski declared himself willing to buy another ten.
In 2024 2 Iskander squadrons were besides awarded the Belarusian army. These are sets of the Iskander-M/K type, not, as previously expected, the export version of the system, known as Iskander-E (with a reduced scope of 280km; systems in this version bought from Russia, among others, Algeria and Armenia). Belarus besides has its own rocket system, known as Polonez. It is simply a multi-guided rocket launcher of 300 mm, capable of firing 8 missiles at a distance of 50-200 km, and in an extended scope version – up to 280-300 km. It is the equivalent of Russian Death and American HIMARS sets.
Belarus conducts modernization of military infrastructure, including 1 for rocket troops. This concerns, in the first place, bases specified as Luninice, located about 50 km from the border with Ukraine. The airport located there was utilized in 2022 as 1 of the bases for Russian assault aircraft and bombers that led attacks on targets in Ukraine at the beginning of full-scale aggression. As part of the modernization, fresh hangars, weapons and fuel warehouses appeared. The modernization besides includes another akin facilities: in Lida, Machublis and Baranovich (the second airport is frequently utilized as a base for Russian aircraft during their exercises in Belarus).
According to the Ukrainian Radio Swoboda writer investigation, the 465 base has besides been expanded since 2023. Rocket Brigade in Osipowice close Minsk, where there are sets of Iskander. Satellite images show that 3 fresh vehicle hangars and retention facilities were built there, most likely to collect a supply of missiles. A fresh railway line was besides created between the mentioned base and besides located close Osipowicz 1405. an ammunition base where Russian atomic weapons may be stored. Russian leader Vladimir Putin spoke about the anticipation of deploying tactical atomic weapons in Belarus in March 2023; construction works were besides observed at the above-mentioned base in Osipovich.
In June 2024 work began close the village of Pawliwka, about 60 km south of Minsk, where during the Cold War and just after the dissolution of the USSR (in 1959-93) there was a base of russian and then Russian strategical rocket troops, equipped with intercontinental Topol ballistic missiles.
The Zapad-25 maneuvers, which is the largest training task of the Belarusian army this year, will most likely besides include episodes related to the exercise usage of rocket systems – besides in cooperation with the Russian army, which can besides direct their own rocket troops to practice.
The fresh Russian rocket strategy Oriesznik has been appearing in Belarus for respective months. It was first utilized in combat activities in November 2024 against Ukraine. It is most likely a mid-range rocket based on the plan of the RS-26 Outway rocket. 1 copy was utilized last year to attack betting You already have in the city of Dniepr, the another 1 was to detonate during tests in February 2025.
The Oriesznik rocket complex is most likely inactive in the improvement phase, but it is possible to consider the appearance of its elements (including the missiles themselves) in Belarus, even for propaganda reasons. This rocket is possibly a mark hard to intercept by modern rocket systems specified as Patriot.
Source: PAP 
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