Zelenskyy sets one-week deadline for Belarus to dismantle Russian military gear

The Ukrainian leader pointed specifically to signal relay stations located in regions bordering Ukraine, which he claims are instrumental in guiding Russian strikes against civilian targets. While Zelenskyy insists that a week provides ample time for Minsk to act, he declined to specify what measures Kyiv might employ should the equipment remain operational. Reuters has not independently verified the existence or function of these specific relay sites.

Lukashenko has consistently denied any intention to escalate Belarus's role in the conflict, framing his country’s military posture as purely defensive. However, the presence of Russian forces—which utilized Belarusian territory as a staging ground for the February 2022 invasion—remains a critical point of friction. Tensions were further exacerbated this week by a fatal drone incident involving a bus carrying Belarusian children, an event for which Minsk has demanded an explanation from Kyiv, despite Ukraine denying any involvement. With Belarus maintaining its status as Moscow’s primary ally, including the recent deployment of Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles, the deadline underscores the deepening instability along the northern border.