Belarusian Relay Stations Go Dark
On June 22, the Belarusian relay stations that had been employed to coordinate attacks against Ukraine ceased operations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed this development on June 24. He stated that disabling these relays marks a significant security milestone for Ukraine, as they were instrumental in directing strikes by both Russian and Iranian drones.
Zelenskyy’s Ultimatum to Lukashenko
Just days earlier, on June 19, President Zelenskyy issued a direct ultimatum to Alexander Lukashenko, demanding action regarding military equipment stationed along the border with Ukraine. Zelenskyy pointed out that Belarus hosts technical assets and relay stations—on towers along its territory—that are used to adjust fire targeting Ukrainian civilians.
'Today, on Lukashenko’s towers, there are relays—Russian relays, Belarusian relays. What difference does it make to us? On his territory, along two regions bordering Ukraine, there is equipment that adjusts fire aimed at the Ukrainian population, specifically the civilian population.' – Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy also highlighted that Belarus has repeatedly received signals from Ukraine urging it to stop aiding Russia. He described the threat from the Belarusian direction as potential but limited in scope. 'Civilians are being killed there. There are relays on those towers. Can he remove them? Why say he doesn’t want to be in the war? Let him take that equipment down, let him turn it off,' the Ukrainian president added.
According to Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), the commander-in-chief also disclosed data on the size of Lukashenko’s army, underscoring Ukraine’s readiness to respond to any threats from its neighbor. The situation remains under control, and Ukraine continues to monitor developments along the Belarusian frontier.
The shutdown of these Belarusian relay stations is expected to significantly disrupt the coordination of Russian strikes, thereby enhancing the safety of Ukrainian civilians. This move also highlights the critical role of international pressure on Belarus to curtail its involvement in the conflict. Meanwhile, Ukraine remains vigilant along the border, prepared for any potential threats from the Belarusian military—a key factor in the broader regional security landscape.
The recent shutdown of Belarusian relay stations is a pivotal step in Ukraine's defense strategy. However, President Zelenskyy has also made it clear that further actions are needed to ensure security along the border. He has given Lukashenko a deadline to withdraw military assets from Belarus, emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by these installations. This ultimatum underscores the urgency of addressing military cooperation between Belarus and Russia.