Russia could provide Venezuela with ballistic missiles, bolstering its defenses against U.S. threat

Russia has announced that it is considering providing Venezuela with its advanced Oreshnik midrange ballistic missile as the Donald Trump administration ramps up its military presence in the Caribbean nation.

Russia’s Oreshnik midrange ballistic missile

Deputy Head of the State Duma’s Defense Committee, Alexey Zhuravlev, said Russia already supplies weapons to Venezuela and that nothing prevents it from delivering the Oreshnik missile to Caracas. Zhuravlev noted that Russia is a key provider of military hardware and supplies a full range of weapons, from small arms to combat aircraft, to the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

“We supply this country with almost the entire range of weapons, from small arms to aircraft. Information about the volumes and exact names of what is being transported from Russia is secret, so the Americans may be in for some surprises,” he said.

“I see no obstacles to supplying a country friendly to us with new developments such as the Oreshnik or, say, the well-proven Kalibr missiles. At least, no international obligations restrict Russia in this regard.”

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. He added that no international obligations prohibit Russia from supplying Venezuela with modern long-range weapons, including Kalibr missiles.

This development follows earlier reports that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro requested military aid from Russia.

The request came amid escalating tensions in the Caribbean Sea, where the U.S. military is conducting strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels, and Washington is reportedly considering air strikes on Venezuelan military facilities allegedly involved in drug smuggling.

According to the documents, Maduro wrote a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin requesting repairs for radars and military aircraft, as well as potential missile supplies.

Maduro maintains a close relationship with Moscow, strengthened by their shared opposition to the West. He has consistently denounced Western sanctions on Russia and publicly supported Moscow’s war efforts.