Zelensky warns Russia may expand missile threats from Belarus against western Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia may expand its missile threats from Belarus against western Ukraine, putting the region under a growing danger. Speaking to journalists on October 17, Zelensky stated that Russia is already using drone signal repeaters in Belarus and believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin needs Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's support to station additional ballistic missiles in the country.

Zelensky emphasized that this direct involvement of Belarus in the war is very dangerous for both countries. Ukraine's State Border Guard Service has reported that equipment based in Belarus helps relay or amplify signals for Russian Shahed and Geran drones heading toward western Ukraine and Poland's border region. In September, Ukraine's military intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko confirmed that units of Russia's 101st Missile Brigade, equipped with the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile system, had been deployed to Belarus.

Recent Russian attacks have struck cities and communities across western Ukraine, resulting in deaths, injuries, damaged infrastructure, and widespread power outages. In response, Zelensky announced that Ukraine would increase air defenses across the country, distribute them according to the level of threat, and expand production of defensive turrets.

Brief written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.