In southern Belarus, on the territory of the Mozyr Oil Refinery, at the beginning of August 2025 an air defense system was detected that resembled the Russian Tor surface-to-air missile system. Journalists of the Schemes project of Radio Liberty published these conclusions after analyzing Planet Labs satellite imagery and consulting experts.

Images from the preceding period indicate that works to establish the air defense position began in January 2025 – seven months before the system appeared. Along with the position, firing points, trenches, and checkpoints also appeared near the plant, according to materials from the monitoring project “Belarusian Gayun”.

Context of Air Defense Deployment Near the Ukrainian Border

According to aviation expert Anatoliy Khrapchynsky, it is most likely the Tor or Tor-M2 air defense missile system. He adds that the shadow shape and proportions in Planet Labs images as of January 16, 2026 confirm this version. It is also reported that the system could have been mounted on a chassis from the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant.

In November 2022, the opposition Telegram channel “Live. Community of Belarusian Railway Workers” reported that Russia had supplied Belarus with at least 15 Tor-M2 air defense systems. This class of air defense is designed to reduce the effectiveness of low-flying and small targets, including large attack drones; its deployment is viewed as a logical element of preventive protection.

The aviation expert also noted that Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has consistently tried to avoid direct participation in combat, and air defense protection is one way to maintain that approach.

According to the archived version of the Mozyr Oil Refinery’s website, the plant produces gasoline, diesel fuel, and other petroleum products. It is located about 30 kilometers north of the border with Ukraine.

Since October 2022, the plant has been under sanctions by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. The commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, Major Robert Brovdi, noted that the Mozyr Oil Refinery is one of the suppliers of products to Russia via the Druzhba pipeline.

In January 2025, Russian propaganda Telegram channels reported alleged drone flights from Ukraine toward the Mozyr Oil Refinery. However, the independent monitoring project “Belarusian Gayun” refuted these reports.

During the autumn of 2025, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to the General Staff, destroyed more than 50 facilities of fuel and defense-industrial infrastructure on Russian territory, including facilities that are part of the Druzhba pipeline system. Investigative journalists also created an interactive map of damaged Russian strategic facilities and conducted an analysis of the strikes’ consequences using satellite imagery and expert assessments.

Thus, the deployment of air defense systems near the Ukrainian border and the region’s subsequent steps remain in the focus of experts and analysts, and also undermine the discussion about security and its impact on regional dynamics.