Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy renewed his call for Belarus to dismantle four relay stations he says are aiding Russian drone strikes on Ukraine. He stopped short of naming President Alexander Lukashenko directly but referenced Belarus's contested re-election and factories supporting Russia. Zelenskiy warned Kyiv may act if the equipment is not removed and highlighted a sharp rise in Belarusian fuel shipments to Russia. Ukraine continues drone strikes aimed at degrading Russia's oil infrastructure.
Zelenskiy Repeats Warning to Belarus: Dismantle Relay Stations Or Kyiv May Act
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyi speaks to the media as he arrives at a European Union leaders summit in Brussels, Belgium, June 18, 2026. REUTERS/Yves Herman
June 20 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday renewed his appeal to authorities in neighbouring Belarus to dismantle four relay stations he says have been used to help stage Russian drone attacks on regions of Ukraine.
Belarus, led by long-serving President Alexander Lukashenko, has been one of Moscow's closest allies since the Kremlin launched its February 2022 invasion and has allowed Russian forces to use Belarusian territory. Lukashenko has repeatedly said he does not seek deeper involvement in the conflict, but Kyiv says further proof is needed.
In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy stopped short of naming Lukashenko directly and alluded to the Belarusian leader's contested re-election, saying Ukraine has identified specific facilities that support Russian military activity on Belarusian soil.
"Belarus still has time to dismantle this equipment. We also know about every factory in Belarus that works for Russia and supports the war," Zelenskiy said, urging the removal of infrastructure that enables attacks on Ukraine.
Earlier in the week Zelenskiy gave what he described as roughly a one-week window for the equipment to be removed and warned: "If he doesn't do it, we'll do it." He did not provide further operational details.
Fuel Shipments and Wider Context
Zelenskiy also highlighted Belarus's sizable oil-refining sector and recent increases in fuel deliveries to Russia. From January through May, he said, gasoline shipments from Belarus to Russia rose 13-fold compared with the same period last year, while diesel deliveries tripled.
"Unfortunately, this helps Russia adapt to pressure and does not bring peace any closer," he said. "It should be the opposite: peace should be brought closer."
Ukraine's military has been conducting medium- and long-range drone strikes, primarily targeting Russia's oil infrastructure, as part of efforts to degrade Moscow's ability to sustain its war effort. Kyiv frames its warnings to Belarus as an attempt to prevent Belarusian territory and industry from being used to facilitate attacks on Ukraine.
(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by David Gregorio)
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