Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv has documented new Russian efforts to pull Belarus deeper into the war, warning that Moscow is discussing potential offensive operations launched from Belarusian territory either against northern Ukraine or a NATO member state.
Belarus played a central role in the opening phase of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, when Russian troops used Belarusian territory as a staging ground for the assault on Kyiv. Since then, Minsk has avoided directly entering the war while continuing to host Russian forces, missile systems, and military exercises on its territory.
Russia discussing attack routes from Belarus, Zelenskyy says
Speaking after a meeting with the leadership of Ukraine’s General Staff, military intelligence, foreign intelligence service, and the SBU security service, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence had obtained details of additional contacts between Russia and Belarusian ruler Aliaksandr Lukashenka, “aimed at persuading him to join new Russian offensive operations.”
“Russia is considering operational plans in directions south and north of Belarusian territory – either against the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction in Ukraine or against one of the NATO countries,” Zelenskyy said.
He added that Ukraine has ordered its defense and security forces to strengthen the northern direction and prepare a response plan for approval by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff.
“Ukraine will, without a doubt, defend itself and its people if Aliaksandr Lukashenka makes a mistake and decides to support this Russian plan as well,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy later added that Ukraine plans to “strengthen” the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction in response to this threat.
Belarus military activity keeps raising concerns in Kyiv
The warning follows growing concern in Kyiv over military activity inside Belarus. On 17 April, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence had detected road construction toward the Ukrainian border and the establishment of artillery positions in Belarusian border areas, warning that Russia may again try to draw Belarus into the war.
Those concerns intensified this week after Lukashenka announced Belarus would shift to a system of rotating “targeted mobilization” to prepare military units for war. Ukrainian officials and analysts described the move less as preparation for a direct invasion and more as part of a long-running Russian strategy to keep Ukrainian forces tied down along the northern border.
Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation previously said Belarus was largely advancing “Russia’s information agenda,” while Ukrainian military assessments have consistently argued that Minsk’s primary role in the war has been to force Kyiv to spread troops and air defenses across multiple fronts.
Still, Ukrainian intelligence says the military infrastructure inside Belarus continues to expand. Kyiv has previously reported the construction of logistical routes, transport hubs, training grounds, and artillery positions that Russia could potentially use for future offensive operations.
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