On August 22, 2025, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko made a startling claim during an interview with journalists, asserting that Russian President Vladimir Putin was offered a proposal to launch a strike on the Ukrainian Presidential Office, known as Bankova, in Kyiv, using Russia’s advanced Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).
According to Lukashenko, Putin firmly rejected the idea, responding with a “categorical refusal,” stating, “Under no circumstances.” This revelation has sparked significant discussion amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the deepening military ties between Russia and Belarus.
Context of the Claim
Lukashenko’s statement comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, with Russia and Belarus strengthening their military cooperation through the Union State framework. The Oreshnik missile, a hypersonic weapon capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads, has been a focal point of recent military developments.
Russia first used the Oreshnik in a strike on Dnipro, Ukraine, on November 21, 2024, as a response to Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied missiles, such as U.S. ATACMS and British Storm Shadows, on Russian territory. The missile’s reported ability to evade advanced air defense systems has made it a symbol of Russia’s military escalation.
Lukashenko, a close ally of Putin, has increasingly aligned Belarus with Russia’s strategic objectives, including hosting Russian tactical nuclear weapons since 2023 and requesting the deployment of Oreshnik missiles in Belarus as early as December 2024.
During a meeting with Putin on December 6, 2024, Lukashenko publicly asked for the deployment of these missiles, citing concerns about NATO activities near Belarus’ western borders with Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Putin indicated that such deployments could be feasible by the second half of 2025, aligning with Russia’s plans to ramp up serial production of the missile.
Details of the Alleged Proposal
According to Lukashenko, an unspecified individual or group proposed targeting the Ukrainian Presidential Office, the administrative headquarters of President Volodymyr Zelensky, with the Oreshnik missile. The proposal, if carried out, would have represented a significant escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, potentially targeting the heart of Ukraine’s leadership.
Lukashenko’s claim that Putin rejected the idea “under no circumstances” suggests a deliberate decision to avoid such a provocative action, which could have triggered severe international repercussions, including heightened NATO involvement or further sanctions.
The Belarusian leader’s remarks were reported by multiple sources, including Russian state-controlled media and posts on X, which noted Putin’s firm refusal. However, the identity of the proposer and the context in which the offer was made remain unclear, raising questions about the credibility and intent behind Lukashenko’s disclosure.
Some analysts speculate that the statement may be part of a broader propaganda effort to portray Putin as a restrained leader, while others see it as an attempt to underscore Belarus’s role in the conflict without directly engaging in hostilities.
Strategic Implications
The mention of the Oreshnik missile in this context highlights its significance in Russia and Belarus’ military strategy. Described as a hypersonic IRBM with a range of 3,000 to 5,500 kilometers, the Oreshnik is designed to travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, making it difficult to intercept. Its deployment in Belarus, as discussed by Lukashenko and Putin, would extend Russia’s strike capabilities closer to NATO’s eastern flank, raising concerns among Western leaders about the potential for escalation.
Lukashenko’s claim also sheds light on the complex dynamics between Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. While Belarus has not directly participated in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it has played a critical role by allowing Russian forces to use its territory for attacks since 2022.
This includes hosting Russian troops and missiles, as well as facilitating logistics for the invasion. In early 2022, Zelensky revealed that Lukashenko apologized for Belarus’ involvement in the war, claiming it was due to Russian pressure. However, Lukashenko’s recent push for Oreshnik deployments and his provocative statements suggest a deeper alignment with Moscow’s objectives.
International Reactions
The claim has drawn varied responses. Ukrainian officials have not directly commented on Lukashenko’s statement, but President Zelensky has consistently warned about the threat posed by Belarus as a Russian ally.
In June 2025, Zelensky urged European allies to monitor Russian activities in Belarus, particularly in the context of the Zapad-2025 military exercises, which include scenarios involving the Oreshnik missile. These exercises, scheduled for September 2025, have raised concerns about potential preparations for further aggression against Ukraine or NATO members.
Western analysts and opposition figures in Belarus, such as Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, have condemned the growing military integration between Russia and Belarus. Tsikhanouskaya described the deployment of Russian weapons in Belarus as a step toward the “de facto annexation” of the country, arguing that it undermines Belarusian sovereignty. The Institute for the Study of War echoed this sentiment, noting that the Oreshnik deployment plan is part of Russia’s broader effort to expand its military footprint in Belarus.
Uncertainty and Speculation
Lukashenko’s claim lacks corroboration from independent sources, and the absence of details about the proposer or the timing of the offer raises questions about its veracity. Some observers suggest that the statement may be a strategic maneuver to signal restraint on Russia’s part while simultaneously highlighting Oreshnik’s capabilities. Others argue that it could be an attempt to shift blame or create confusion among Ukraine and its allies.
The refusal to strike Zelensky’s office, if true, may reflect Putin’s calculation that such an action would be too escalatory, potentially alienating neutral countries or provoking a stronger Western response. However, the public disclosure of the proposal by Lukashenko could also be interpreted as a psychological tactic to intimidate Ukraine and its supporters, reinforcing the threat posed by the Oreshnik missile.
Lukashenko’s claim that Putin rejected a proposal to strike Zelensky’s office with the Oreshnik missile underscores the delicate balance of escalation and restraint in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While the veracity of the claim remains uncertain, it highlights the strategic role of the Oreshnik missile, and the deepening military ties between Russia and Belarus.
As the conflict continues, the potential deployment of such advanced weapons in Belarus will likely remain a focal point of concern for Ukraine, NATO, and the broader international community.
