Zelensky: Russia uses Belarus territory for attacks on Ukrainian targets

(Patria) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Friday that Russia is using ordinary residential buildings on the territory of its ally Belarus to attack Ukrainian targets, AFP reported.

The Kremlin used Belarusian territory to launch its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Belarus remains a staunch ally, although long-time President Alexander Lukashenko has vowed not to send troops into the conflict.

"We are noticing that the Russians are trying to bypass our interceptor defense positions through the territory of neighboring Belarus. This is risky for Belarus," Zelensky wrote on Telegram after a meeting of the military staff.
"It is regrettable that Belarus is surrendering its sovereignty in favor of Russia's aggressive ambitions."

Zelensky said that Ukrainian intelligence services have noticed Belarus deploying equipment for its attacks "in Belarusian settlements near the border, including in residential buildings. Antennas and other equipment are located on the roofs of ordinary five-story residential buildings, which help guide 'Shaheds' (Russian drones) to targets in our western regions. This is an absolute disregard for human life, and it is important that Minsk stops playing with this."

Zelensky said that the meeting of staff also discussed ways to finance interceptor drones, which officials in Kyiv consider the most cost-effective means of dealing with Russian drone attacks, which have intensified in recent months.

Zelensky said that the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been tasked with developing a change in strategy for air defense "to protect infrastructure and frontline positions".

Lukashenko said this month that Russia's Oreshnik ballistic missile system, which Russian President Vladimir Putin described as an uninterceptable system, has been deployed to Belarus and entered active combat duty.

An assessment by two US researchers, according to Reuters, states that Moscow is likely stationing the hypersonic Oreshnik, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, at a former airbase in eastern Belarus, which could enhance Russia's ability to deliver missiles across Europe.