Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has demanded Belarus remove Russian military equipment used in air strikes within one week, threatening unspecified action if the request is not met. Zelenskyy stated that relay stations in two Belarusian regions are being used to direct Russian aerial attacks on Ukraine. Despite Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s claims of not wanting to participate in the war, Zelenskyy insists Lukashenko must either remove or disable the equipment. This demand follows repeated warnings from Zelenskyy that Russia is attempting to draw Belarus more deeply into the conflict, recalling Russia’s use of Belarusian territory to launch its invasion in February 2022. Lukashenko has previously stated Belarus would only join the war if attacked, and recently suggested both sides need to compromise to end the conflict. The demand comes amid accusations from Russia that Ukraine attacked a bus carrying Belarusian children, allegations Kyiv denies, with one fatality and multiple injuries reported. Belarus has requested a full explanation from Ukraine regarding the incident.
