Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia on 26/12 of using Belarusian territory, including residential areas, to bypass defense networks and launch attacks on targets in Ukraine. Following a meeting with Ukraine's military general staff, Zelensky stated, "We note that Russia is seeking to circumvent Ukrainian defense lines through the territory of neighboring Belarus. This move poses potential risks to Belarus. Unfortunately, they are relinquishing their sovereignty to fulfill Russia's ambitions."
Ukrainian intelligence has reportedly discovered that Belarus is deploying offensive equipment in residential areas near the border. Antennas and devices are allegedly positioned on the roofs of 5-story apartment buildings, aiding in the guidance of Russian drones toward targets in western Ukraine. President Zelensky urged Belarus to "end this dangerous game."
Neither President Zelensky nor Ukrainian intelligence has publicly presented evidence to support these allegations.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on 22/12. Photo: Reuters |
Officials from Russia and Belarus have yet to comment on the information.
Belarus is a close ally of Russia and permitted Moscow to use its territory to launch a military operation into Ukraine in 2/2022. Russia and Belarus signed the Union State agreement in 1999, establishing a legal framework for a union state across various sectors, including economy, information, technology, agriculture, and border security.
Recently, Russian forces have carried out intense attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing significant damage. Moscow asserts these actions are retaliation for Kyiv's strikes, emphasizing that the targets are facilities supporting Ukraine's military and defense industry. In turn, Ukraine has escalated its attacks on Russian fuel depots and oil refineries, aiming to limit energy exports and create fuel shortages for its neighbor.
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Location of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Graphic: AP |
By Huyen Le (Reuters)
