Infrastructure meant for 'potential expansion of aggression': Zelenskyy warns of Belarus military build-up near border

NEW DELHI: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has alleged that Belarus, under Russian influence, is building military infrastructure along its border with Ukraine, warning that the developments could support a future expansion of Russia's military campaign.In a post on Facebook, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence had gathered information indicating that Belarus was constructing road infrastructure and storage facilities for ammunition and fuel near the border."Separately, Oleh Luhovskyi reported on measures being carried out in Belarus, under obvious Russian influence, to prepare for a potential expansion of aggression against Ukraine. Along our state border in Belarus, the construction of road infrastructure and storage bases for ammunition and fuel and lubricants is nearing completion.

These facilities have no purpose other than a military one. These are the border directions of Kobryn–Kovel, Ivanava–Manevychi, Luninets–Sarny, Rečyca–Korosten, and Homieĺ–Chernihiv.

We know that Russian documents describe this specifically in the context of the tasks of the so-called “svo.”"He added that Ukraine had conveyed its concerns to Minsk and urged Belarus to take steps to reduce tensions."Belarus has received the necessary signals from Ukraine regarding this activity, as well as regarding all other formats of its collaboration with Russia in the interests of prolonging and scaling up the war.

Belarus knows what steps it must take for peace. The development of border infrastructure for aggression from Belarus must be stopped. It is the Belarusian side that must take steps toward de-escalation and peace.

"Zelenskyy's remarks came less than a week after he accused Belarus of hosting Russian signal relay stations and warned Minsk against further military cooperation with Moscow.Responding to the allegations, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko rejected the accusations and warned Ukraine against attempting to draw Belarus into the conflict."I told them bluntly: 'Guys, tell your president: if he thinks he can talk to us like that and drag us into a war to boot, then he needs to understand that the nature of the war would change instantly,'" Lukashenko said.He added that Belarus had no desire to fight Ukrainians.Earlier this week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Lukashenko were expected to discuss Zelensky's remarks "in the foreseeable future.""As for the threat itself, of course, it is utterly aggressive: interference in the internal affairs of another country and an encroachment on another country’s sovereignty," Peskov told reporters.

Belarus' role in the Ukraine war

Although Belarus has not officially deployed its armed forces in Ukraine, it has remained one of Russia's closest military allies since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.Before the invasion, Belarus allowed Russian troops to deploy on its territory.

On February 24, 2022, Russian forces entered northern Ukraine from Belarus, advancing towards Kyiv through the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.Belarus also served as the launch point for the assault on Antonov (Hostomel) Airport, where Russian airborne troops flew in aboard Mi-8 helicopters escorted by Ka-52 attack helicopters in an attempt to seize the strategic airfield.Minsk continues to support Russia's military campaign and hosts Russian tactical nuclear weapons on its territory. However, Lukashenko has repeatedly maintained that Belarusian troops will not enter the war unless Belarus itself comes under attack.While there is no public evidence that Belarus is preparing to directly join the conflict, Zelenskyy's latest allegations have once again placed Minsk's role in Russia's military strategy under scrutiny.