Ukraine to strengthen drone defences on border with Belarus
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has said that Ukraine will reinforce its border defences with Belarus by deploying additional unmanned systems units.
Source: Syrskyi on social media; an investigation by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Belarus Service
Quote from Syrskyi: "Particular attention is being paid to strengthening the defence of the country's northern border.
A decision has been made to form new unmanned systems units in order to improve the effectiveness of border defence.
They will be supplied with the necessary weapons, equipment and other resources to carry out assigned tasks.
We are also continuing to build up the capabilities of the units already operating in the area."
Details: Syrskyi also said he had received briefings on restoring military units to full combat readiness after operations and on replenishing their stocks of weapons and equipment.
Discussions also covered the further development of the non-commissioned officer (NCO) corps.
The readiness of the territorial defence brigades was also reviewed: "A decision has been taken to scale up the unmanned component within their ranks."
He added that the move will significantly strengthen the units' capabilities for reconnaissance, strikes against Russian forces and the defence of areas of responsibility designated by military command.
On 10 June, Radio Liberty's Belarus Service reported that Russia has built five new launch sites for Shahed loitering munitions near Belarus.
Some of these sites are located just a few dozen kilometres from the border.
Satellite imagery indicates that the new drone launch facilities are located in Russia's Bryansk, Oryol and Smolensk oblasts.
Background:
- Commenting on potential threats from Belarus, Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, Commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, said that the Ukrainian military has identified 500 targets on Belarusian territory. He also urged self-proclaimed Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko not to "stick in Ukraine's craw".
- Lukashenko threatened to strike one "very serious" target in Ukraine, claiming that Minsk supposedly possesses the coordinates.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier said that Russia continues attempts to draw Belarus into the war, including, potentially, as part of preparations for an operation against a NATO member state.
- Lukashenko has said that no military action should be expected from Belarus and apologised to Zelenskyy for his harsh remarks.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!