In a comment to propaganda outlet Gazeta.ru, Zhuravlyov noted that Russia already arms Venezuela with nearly the full range of weapons—from small arms to combat aircraft.
“I see no obstacles to delivering such new developments as Oreshnik to a friendly country,” Zhuravlyov said.
Details of the arms shipments remain classified, he added, suggesting “the Americans may be in for some surprises.” He said Russian-made Su-30MK2 aircraft form the backbone of Venezuela’s air force and that Caracas has also received Pantsir-S1 and Buk-M2E air defense systems.
On Oct. 31, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia plans to deploy the Oreshnik system in Belarus and urged Europe to respond to this threat. He said Russian forces could produce up to six missiles a year and that Kyiv has identified 25 Russian component manufacturers for the Oreshnik system not yet under sanctions.
On Aug. 1, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin said the first serial-production Oreshnik system had entered service with the Russian military, and that Belarus had chosen a deployment site for the IRBM, with the matter to be finalized by year’s end.
Minsk confirmed Oct. 28 that preparations are under way to host the Oreshnik system in Belarus before the end of the year.