Zelenskyy speaks about four signal repeaters in Belarus and petrol supplies to Russia: We have issued a warning
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that four signal repeaters have been installed in Belarus' Homiel and Brest oblasts, which allegedly help adjust Russian drone strikes on Ukraine, and that petrol supplies from Belarus to Russia have increased 13-fold.
Source: Zelenskyy in his evening address
Quote: "Ukraine has repeatedly signaled that if Russia drags Belarus into this war as well, it could lead to extremely dangerous consequences. In particular, we have recorded that along our border, on Belarusian territory, special equipment has been installed that works for Russia – for the Russians – and helps the Russians carry out drone strikes against us, against our territory.
We in Ukraine know of four such signal relay stations in Belarus – specifically in the Gomel and Brest regions. It is precisely this kind of equipment that made possible the strikes on the Zhytomyr, Rivne, and Volyn regions – on our energy infrastructure, on our railways, on ordinary cities and villages. Belarus has time to take down this equipment.
We also know about every plant in Belarus that is working for Russia and serving this war. Any enterprise supplying components for Russian weapons – for armored vehicles, for missile systems – as well as any facility supplying Russia with fuel for this war, is all part of drawing Belarus into the war. Ukraine does not want that, and we have already warned the de facto leadership of Belarus, which influences the relevant developments."
Details: According to Zelenskyy, between January and May this year, petrol supplies from Belarus to Russia increased 13 times compared to the same period last year, while diesel supplies tripled.
"Unfortunately, this helps Russia adapt to pressure and does not bring peace closer. It should be the other way around: peace should be getting closer, and Belarus should act in line with what its de facto leadership is saying through unofficial channels, so that we can actually see in Ukraine that Belarus is truly against it, against this war. This war must be brought to an end. We need peace," Zelenskyy stressed.
In the address, Zelenskyy also noted that Ukraine's proposal for a meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin remains in place.
"I thank all the partners who are helping us, Ukraine. Right now, the pressure is still not enough. And over this week, we've reached new agreements with our partners, including the United States, to make sure that pressure is applied – and that it's strong enough. The United States and all our partners in Europe, in the G7, assess the situation the same way and are ready to keep supporting Ukraine," he said.
Previously: On 19 June, Zelenskyy said that Belarus's self-proclaimed leader Alexander Lukashenko had one week to remove signal repeaters adjusting Russian drone strikes on Ukrainian cities, otherwise Ukraine would "do it ourselves".
Background:
- Zelenskyy previously stated that Russia continues its attempts to draw Belarus into the war, including, potentially, as part of preparations for an operation against a NATO member state.
- Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, Commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, commenting on threats from Belarus, said that the Ukrainian military had identified 500 potential targets in Belarus. He also advised Lukashenko not to "stick in Ukraine's craw".
- Lukashenko responded to Brovdi's remarks by threatening to strike a "very serious" target in Ukraine, the coordinates of which Minsk supposedly possesses.
- Lukashenko later said that military action from Belarus should not be expected and apologised to Zelenskyy for his harsh remarks.
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