Makes no sense to site ICBMs in Belarus, former defense minister says

The deployment of Russia's Topol mobile intercontinental ballistic missile systems in Belarus makes no big sense, BelaPAN quoted former Belarusian Defense Minister Pavel Kazlowski as saying. On December 23, some Russian media outlets reported with reference to a source at the Russian defense ministry that Topol missile systems might appear in Belarus if the United States went ahead with plans to deploy its missile defense shield in the Czech Republic and Poland "in order to reduce Russia's nuclear potential."

"Topol can hit targets from Novosibirsk or Belarus, what's the difference? This is an intercontinental missile," the general said.

Belarus has lost its strategic missile infrastructure, which included reinforced concrete shelters, roads, and missile sites, almost entirely, Kazlowski noted.

By this time, the country was to have destroyed all Topol missile systems on its territory.
"Enormous resources are needed to restore the infrastructure, and I don't see any point in that," General Kazlowski said. "Doing it for intimidation would be foolish. I think that this is some mistake or provocation."

BelaPAN