Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a warning that Russia is planning to establish ground control stations for long-range attack drones within Belarus. This potential development significantly raises concerns about an expanded role for Minsk in the ongoing conflict.
Citing intelligence from Ukraine’s military services, Zelensky indicated that up to four such facilities could be constructed. This would allow Russia to deploy drones with greater efficiency from Belarusian territory, complementing their current operations from occupied regions of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader has repeatedly cautioned against Belarus becoming more directly involved in the war. He highlighted that previous instances of cooperation between Moscow and Minsk have already amplified the impact of Russian strikes.
Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine has informed its international partners about these plans and stressed that Kyiv would respond decisively if they move forward. “There will be reactions to this. And they will be felt,” he stated.
As of now, Belarus has not commented on these allegations. However, if confirmed, this reported action would mark a new escalation in the regional dimension of the war, further complicating the security dynamics along NATO’s eastern flank.