{
  "id": 15207554,
  "title": "Ukraine strengthens air defence in west, views deployment of ballistic missiles in Belarus as attempt to draw it into war – Zelenskyy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/ukraine-strengthens-air-defence-in-west-views-deployment-of-ballistic",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T13:30:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Interfax-Ukraine",
    "slug": "interfax-ukraine",
    "url": "https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/1221934.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concerns on Saturday that Russia is intensifying its attacks on western Ukraine and is trying to use Belarus as a conduit for these assaults. According to Zelenskyy, Russia is positioning relay stations in Belarus to launch drones and deploy ballistic missiles, thereby escalating the conflict. The president emphasized that the deployment of Russian ballistic missiles in Belarus would be seen as direct participation of Belarus in the war against Ukraine. Zelenskyy stressed that such a move poses a significant threat to the western part of Ukraine and could potentially draw Belarus into the war, which he deemed highly dangerous for both nations. In response to this perceived threat, Zelenskyy announced plans to bolster air defense in the affected regions, emphasizing that increased aggression warrants a commensurate response.",
  "summary": "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced that Russia is preparing to intensify its attacks on western Ukraine and is attempting to use Belarus to that end.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "1,500 troops from three NATO countries to train in Poland for possible Ukraine deployment",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/1-500-troops-from-three-nato-countries-to-train-in-poland-for",
        "published": "2026-10-17T12:39:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}