{
  "id": 15272059,
  "title": "Zelensky warns Russia may expand missile threats from Belarus against western Ukraine",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/zelensky-warns-russia-may-expand-missile-threats-from-belarus-against",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T20:26:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Kyiv Independent",
    "slug": "kyiv-independent",
    "url": "https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-warns-russia-may-expand-missile-threats-from-belarus-against-western-ukraine/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Toronto Sun",
        "title": "Zelensky says Trump could lift more Russia sanctions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/zelensky-says-trump-could-lift-more-russia-sanctions",
        "published": "2026-10-17T21:06:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Qatar Tribune",
        "title": "Kiev fumes as Trump suspends new sanctions on Russia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/kiev-fumes-as-trump-suspends-new-sanctions-on-russia",
        "published": "2026-10-17T22:14:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Trump’s Russia sanctions waiver called mistake by GOP allies",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/trumps-russia-sanctions-waiver-called-mistake-by-gop-allies",
        "published": "2026-10-17T23:23:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Zelenskyy urges support for new US sanctions on Russia put on hold by Trump",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/zelenskyy-urges-support-for-new-us-sanctions-on-russia-put-on-hold-by",
        "published": "2026-10-18T00:12:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Republican lawmaker hits out at Trump over Russia sanctions waiver, says he is 'prolonging the war, not ending it'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/republican-lawmaker-hits-out-at-trump-over-russia-sanctions-waiver",
        "published": "2026-10-18T00:26:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Zelenskyy says Trump could lift more Russia sanctions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/zelenskyy-says-trump-could-lift-more-russia-sanctions",
        "published": "2026-10-18T00:41:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}