Photo: EPA
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine has intelligence indicating that Russia is trying to draw Belarus deeper into the war and persuade Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko to support new military operations.
According to Zelenskyy, Kyiv is aware of recent contacts between Moscow and Minsk aimed at involving Belarus in potential offensives either against northern Ukraine — particularly the Chernihiv and Kyiv directions — or against a NATO member state from Belarusian territory.
Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine would respond if Lukashenko decides to back Russia militarily. He said the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been ordered to strengthen the northern direction and prepare a response plan for approval by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff.
Earlier, Zelenskyy warned that Belarus had been building roads and artillery positions near the Ukrainian border. Ukrainian forces have also observed signs of Russian troop regrouping in the area, possibly to compensate for personnel shortages. Meanwhile, Lukashenko recently announced a draft call-up of reserve officers under 27 and later declared a partial mobilization.
