Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on 24/6 that Belarus has ceased operation of signal relay equipment that Kyiv accused of supporting Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks on Ukrainian territory. This development comes after Ukraine issued an ultimatum to Minsk, demanding the equipment be dismantled within one week.

"Based on information provided to me by the military commander and intelligence forces, the relevant signal relay equipment ceased operating on Belarusian territory on 22/6," President Zelensky stated. While Ukraine has not yet been able to determine if Belarus has physically dismantled the equipment, Zelensky confirmed its inactivity. "I am closely monitoring the situation and receiving daily reports. The fact is that they are no longer operational today," he added.

Zelensky in a photo posted on 24/6. *Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine*

In line with Zelensky's statement, Ukraine's border guards reported on 24/6 a decrease in Russian UAV incursions through Chernihiv province. There have been no large-scale deployments of Geran suicide UAVs observed along the Ukraine - Belarus border. Ukraine's Chernihiv province borders both Russia and Belarus.

Belarusian officials have not yet commented on this information.

President Zelensky had issued the ultimatum to his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, on 19/6. Kyiv alleged that the signal relay equipment was being used to assist Russian UAVs in striking Ukrainian territory. Zelensky had warned that "Ukraine will do it itself" if Belarus failed to comply with the demand. Ukrainian intelligence had identified the equipment as being located in Brest and Gomel provinces, which border the northern part of Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on 23/6 described President Zelensky's ultimatum as a threatening move against a sovereign nation. He added that Ukraine's goal is to draw Belarus directly into the conflict and "expand the geographical scope" of the hostilities.

Lavrov noted that Russia and Belarus signed a security guarantee treaty, effective from 3/2025, within the framework of the Union State. This treaty stipulates that an attack on Russia or Belarus would be considered an attack on the Union State. It allows both parties to use all necessary military and technical measures, including nuclear weapons, to repel aggression and threats to sovereignty or territorial integrity. "If necessary, we are ready to use all measures stipulated in the treaty to ensure the security of our ally and, of course, that of the Union State," Foreign Minister Lavrov stated.

Lukashenko at a meeting in St Petersburg, Russia in 2024. *Photo: AFP*

Belarus is a close ally of Russia and previously allowed Russia to use its territory to launch an attack on Ukraine, as well as providing various other forms of support. President Lukashenko last month rejected the idea that Belarus would be drawn deeper into the war, but stated that it would defend itself alongside Russia in the event of aggression.

In an interview with Al Arabiya, published by the state news agency BelTA earlier this month, President Lukashenko said Belarus is a peaceful nation and only wants the hostilities to end quickly. He emphasized that Ukraine "has nothing to fear from Belarus."

President Lukashenko also apologized to President Zelensky for his previous harsh statements. He explained that these comments were made in response to threatening moves from Ukraine, including claims that Kyiv had identified hundreds of potential targets in Belarus and knew Lukashenko's location.

Pham Giang (According to Ukrainska Pravda, RT, United24 Media)