Zelensky discusses Belarusian relay stations and Russian strikes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that relay stations in Belarus, which had been used to adjust Russian strikes on Ukraine, ceased functioning as of June 22. This information comes from Ukraine’s Chief of General Staff Oleksandr Syrsky and intelligence reports.
“I honestly don’t know if they have been dismantled or not. However, we are actively monitoring the situation and I receive daily reports. The fact remains that the relay stations are currently not operational,” stated Zelensky.
Earlier, the Telegram channel “GORDON” highlighted a report from the independent publication “Flagstock”, noting that Russian drones had stopped frequenting the Ukrainian-Belarusian border in recent days, unlike previous months when such flights were common. The last confirmed drone sighting occurred on the morning of June 21, when the Ukrainian Air Forces reported drone activity in the northwest Chernihiv region toward Slavutych. Following that, attacks on the region continued but via different routes. The monitoring channel “eRadar” indicated that Russian drones had not appeared near the border with Belarus this week, likely due to the shutdown of the relay stations.
It has been five days since Zelensky issued an ultimatum regarding their removal. If they were indeed dismantled on June 22, it has been three days since. Zelensky warned Lukashenko of this requirement during a joint press conference with Honduras President Nasry Asfura on June 19. At that time, he expressed skepticism about Lukashenko’s claims of not wanting to be involved in the war instigated by Russia and gave him a week to deactivate the relay stations that facilitated Russian drone strikes on Ukrainian territory.
“I believe that a week should be sufficient for him to act. I say this because our civilians are dying and children are getting injured every day due to this. If Lukashenko fails to act, we will take matters into our own hands,” emphasized the Ukrainian President.
On June 22, Zelensky reiterated his deadline for the removal of the relay stations.
Context
- Zelensky warned on May 15 that Russia may be preparing operations from Belarus against Ukraine or NATO countries. Ukrainian intelligence continues to detect attempts by Russia to further involve Belarus in the conflict against Ukraine.
- Chief of General Staff Oleksandr Syrsky confirmed the potential threat of an offensive from Belarus in an interview published on May 19.
- On May 20, after a meeting of the Supreme Commander’s staff, Zelensky revealed that the military leadership of Russia was considering five scenarios for expanding the war through northern Ukraine. On the same day, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the transfer of nuclear munitions to storage sites in Belarus within the framework of nuclear forces exercises.
- On May 21, the Security Service of Ukraine announced “unprecedented security measures” in regions bordering Russia and Belarus.
