During a press conference in Kyiv on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a stark ultimatum to Belarusian leader Aliaksandr Lukashenka: dismantle relay stations on the border that Kyiv says are guiding Russian drone strikes, or Ukraine will do it itself.
“There are relay stations on the towers. Can he take them down? What’s the point of saying he doesn’t want war? Just take down that equipment; just shut it down,” Zelenskyy said, standing alongside visiting Honduran President Nasry Asfura. He added that a week should be sufficient for Lukashenka to act, warning that “every day, our civilians are dying and children are being wounded because of this. If he doesn’t do it, we will.”
Belarus as a Russian Launchpad
Since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, Belarus has served as a staging ground for Russian forces and a host for Russian nuclear weapons and military infrastructure. Lukashenka, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, has allowed Minsk to produce components for Russia’s defence industry and participate in joint nuclear drills. The ultimatum follows earlier statements from Zelenskyy in May, when he warned that Kyiv was prepared to take “preventive” measures against potential military threats from the north, amid heightened tensions with European NATO members over drone incursions in the Baltic region.
The relay equipment in question is believed to be part of a network that helps Russian drones navigate and strike targets in Ukraine. The issue has become a flashpoint in the broader conflict, with Ukraine accusing Belarus of complicity in attacks that have killed civilians across the country.
Renewed Russian Strikes on Kharkiv
Zelenskyy’s warning came as Russian forces intensified their bombardment of Ukrainian cities. On Saturday, guided bombs struck a low-rise apartment block in Kharkiv’s Kholodnohirskiy district, killing at least one person and injuring nine others, including a child. Emergency services released footage of rescue workers pulling a body from the rubble and evacuating the wounded. The attack is part of a broader wave of Russian strikes that earlier this week left at least 11 dead and set the 11th-century Dormition Cathedral in Kyiv ablaze, a major religious and cultural landmark.
The situation in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, remains dire. Russian drone barrages have repeatedly targeted residential areas, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis as winter approaches.
Zelenskyy Seeks US Licences for Air Defence Production
In a separate development, Zelenskyy expressed hope that the United States would grant Ukraine licences to manufacture anti-ballistic interceptor missiles. Speaking after meeting US President Donald Trump at the G7 summit in France earlier this week, Zelenskyy said such licences would allow both state-owned and private Ukrainian defence companies to produce these systems not only for domestic use but also for allies in Europe and the Middle East.
“God willing, they will hold all the necessary consultations with the district authorities, other suppliers, and the administration, as well as with the military,” Zelenskyy said. “I very much hope that they will return with a positive response and that we will be able to obtain the licences so that our capabilities, and we do have the capabilities, will allow our private-sector companies and our state-owned defence industry companies to help Ukraine, to help the countries of the Middle East, and to help the countries of Europe.”
The request underscores Ukraine’s growing defence industrial base, which has expanded significantly during the war. Zelenskyy has also pushed for fast-track EU membership, arguing that Ukraine’s sacrifices and military strength make it a valuable partner for the continent.
As the conflict grinds on, the ultimatum to Belarus adds a new layer of tension to an already volatile region. European leaders are watching closely, aware that any escalation involving Minsk could draw NATO allies further into the fray.
