Moscow Responds After Zelensky Gives Lukashenko Ultimatum
AI Analysis
Ukraine has issued an ultimatum to Belarus demanding the dismantling of Russian signal relay systems allegedly used to guide Shahed drone strikes. Moscow has condemned the ultimatum as an escalation, while Ukraine claims to have already destroyed some of these systems. Belarus is reportedly attempting to distance itself from Russian influence, though it continues to provide logistical support.
Key Takeaways
- Ukraine alleges Russia is using Belarusian territory to enhance the accuracy of Shahed drone attacks via signal relay systems.
- Zelenskyy gave Belarus a one-week deadline to remove the systems or face Ukrainian action.
- Russia and Belarus plan a meeting to discuss the situation, indicating a degree of coordination.
- Ukrainian sources claim successful strikes against these relay towers within Belarus.
- Belarus is reportedly seeking to improve relations with the US, potentially signaling a desire to reduce dependence on Russia.
Why It Matters
This situation highlights the evolving use of Belarusian territory in the Russo-Ukrainian war and the potential for escalation. Ukraine's direct threat to Belarusian infrastructure represents a significant shift in policy and could draw Belarus more directly into the conflict. The reported destruction of relay systems, if confirmed, demonstrates Ukraine's ability to project power into Belarus and disrupt Russian drone operations.
The Kremlin has responded to the ultimatum President Volodymyr Zelensky recently issued to Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday dismissed Zelensky’s remarks as “nothing more than an attempt to further incite the war and escalate tensions.”
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Peskov added that Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to meet Lukashenko in the near future.
“This will be a good opportunity to discuss Kyiv’s threats to Minsk and other issues,” he said.
Peskov also described Zelensky’s warning as “absolutely aggressive,” claiming it amounted to “interference in the internal affairs of another country, an encroachment on the sovereignty of another country.”
“But we have no doubt that the leadership of Belarus and Belarus itself can ensure its sovereignty,” he added.
On Friday, Zelensky gave Lukashenko one week to remove Russian signal relay equipment from Belarusian regions bordering Ukraine. According to Zelensky, the relay systems help guide Russian Shahed drones, improving their targeting of Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Notably, one of Ukraine’s most popular Telegram channels, Nikolaevsky Vanyok, which is reportedly linked to local officials, claimed on Monday that Ukrainian forces had recently destroyed towers used to help guide Shahed attacks.
“Belarus has essentially been hostage to Russian scoundrels for a long time, but at the same time, Belarus is trying its best to evade this war. As you can see, sometimes they succeed, sometimes they don’t,” the channel wrote.
According to the post, tensions with Belarus escalated in late April or early May, when drones began flying over the Zhytomyr and Rivne regions, particularly near Korosten.
“These drones are controlled by the technical equipment that the Russian scoundrels installed in Belarus. This equipment was already demolished once, quietly. Now they [the Belarusians] need to demolish it loudly themselves,” the report said.
The channel also suggested Belarus is slowly attempting to distance itself from Putin’s influence, citing warming ties with the US administration, including reported sanctions relief for key Belarusian industries.
Previously, Zelensky also said Belarus must take concrete steps to prove it opposes Russia’s war.
“If he does not want to be in this war, let him remove that equipment and switch it off,” Zelensky said, warning that Ukraine would destroy the systems if Belarus failed to act.
“Every day our civilians are dying because of this. Children are being wounded. If he does not do it, we will,” he added.
Zelensky also accused Belarus of deepening its support for Russia through fuel and logistical supplies, saying gasoline exports to Russia grew thirteenfold from January to May, compared to last year.
However, Lukashenko has rejected the possibility of Belarus directly entering the war, calling such a scenario “absolutely unacceptable.”
He said Belarus remains highly vulnerable to Ukrainian retaliation and warned that direct involvement could dramatically widen the front and potentially trigger a broader confrontation involving NATO.
Lukashenko also softened his rhetoric toward Zelensky, admitting he may have gone too far in previous criticism and publicly apologized for some of his earlier remarks.
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