Zelensky Warns Russia Using Belarus Homes to Launch Drone Attacks on Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of using Belarusian territory, including ordinary apartment blocks, to conduct attacks on Ukraine and bypass Kyiv’s defenses. Speaking after a military staff meeting on Friday, Zelensky said Ukrainian intelligence had observed Russian forces placing equipment on residential buildings near the Belarus-Ukraine border to guide drones known as “Shaheds” toward targets in western Ukraine.

“This is risky for Belarus and an absolute disregard for human lives,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram. He criticized Minsk for surrendering its sovereignty to support Russia’s “aggressive ambitions,” emphasizing the threat posed to civilians in Belarusian settlements hosting military infrastructure.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pledged not to commit troops to the conflict, though the country remains a key Russian ally. Earlier this month, he confirmed the deployment of the Oreshnik ballistic missile system—described by Russian President Vladimir Putin as impossible to intercept—to Belarus, marking its active combat duty and further heightening regional concerns.

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Ukrainian officials are seeking strategies to counter these attacks, focusing on interceptor drones as a cost-effective method to neutralize Russian aerial threats. Zelensky stated that the military’s general staff was tasked with revising air defense tactics to protect infrastructure and frontline positions from drone and missile strikes.

Experts have also flagged the potential deployment of Russia’s nuclear-capable hypersonic Oreshnik system at a former air base in eastern Belarus. According to U.S. researchers, this move could significantly enhance Moscow’s ability to deliver long-range missiles across Europe, further intensifying geopolitical risks.

The Russian and Belarusian defense ministries have not responded to requests for comment, leaving uncertainty over the full extent of Belarus’ involvement in supporting Russian military operations. The situation underscores rising tensions along Ukraine’s northern border as both sides prepare for continued conflict in the region.

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