A confidential briefing described new roads, ammunition depots and fuel stores near Ukraine’s border, implying preparation for wider aggression; Kyiv says it signalled Minsk to stop.
President Volodymyr Zelensky heard a briefing by the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Oleh Lugovskyi, including about the build-out of border infrastructure in Belarus – he said this on June 25.
The head of the intelligence outlined the implementation of measures under clear Russian influence in Belarus, aimed at preparing for a potential expansion of aggression against Ukraine.
Key takeaways from the briefing and the intelligence context
Along our state border in Belarus, the construction of road infrastructure and depots for ammunition and fuels is nearing completion, serving no purpose other than military. These are the border routes Kobryn – Kovel, Ivanove – Manevychi, Lunynets – Sarny, Rechitsa – Korosten, and Gomel – Chernihiv. We know that in Russian documents this is described precisely in the context of the tasks of the so-called “SVO”
– Volodymyr Zelensky
The president added that Kyiv has sent Minsk the “necessary signals” regarding this activity, as well as regarding other formats of its collaboration with Russia to drag out and escalate the war.
Stance and dynamics between Kyiv and Minsk
Belarus knows what steps it must take on its side for peace. The build-out of border infrastructure for aggression by Belarus must be stopped. Steps aimed at de-escalation and peace must be taken by the Belarusian side
– Volodymyr Zelensky
The context surrounding these events highlights Lukashenko’s position. Earlier today, the de facto leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said during a meeting with Russian officials that he allegedly recently spoke with representatives of Zelensky. He did not specify when these contacts occurred, or the Ukrainian officials with whom he spoke.
We don’t care; our peoples will be together.
– Alexander Lukashenko
On June 19, Zelensky stated that equipment has been installed on the Belarus–Ukraine border that Russian troops use to adjust attacks on Ukraine, and he urged Alexander Lukashenko to remove this equipment within a week.
On June 24, the President of Ukraine said that the repeaters on Belarusian territory are no longer functioning.
Such actions underscore the regional threat and the need for constant monitoring of Kyiv–Minsk relations to ensure security and stability at the border.