Zelensky Warns Russia May Use Belarus for Attacks on Ukraine and NATO

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on 15 May 2026 that Russia is intensifying contacts with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to draw Minsk deeper into the war. He said Moscow is weighing “operational plans … south and north of Belarusian territory – either against the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction in Ukraine or against one of the NATO countries directly from the territory of Belarus.” Zelensky ordered Ukraine’s defence and security forces to strengthen the Chernihiv–Kyiv sector and to draft a response plan for staff approval.

Zelensky: Ukraine to strengthen Kyiv–Chernihiv direction amid threat of Belarus involvementThe Straits TimesRussia could use Belarus for operation against Ukraine or NATO country – ZelenskyZelenskiy warns Russia is planning to attack NATO from Belarus, U.S. weighs optionsZelenskyy held a meeting with the General Staff, intelligence, and the SBU - focusing on "long-range sanctions," Russia's attempts to further involve Belarus in the war, and Russia's plans for new str

Belarus permitted Russian forces to launch parts of the 2022 invasion and now hosts Russian tactical nuclear weapons and hypersonic Oreshnik missiles. State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko reported on 4 May that Belarus is building logistics routes, training grounds and other infrastructure in coordination with Russia; similar remarks followed on 17 April about new roads and artillery positions near the 1,000-km Ukraine-Belarus border. Zelensky’s May briefing cited intercepted Russian documents detailing potential strikes on Kyiv’s political and military centres.

Kyiv IndependentThe Straits TimesZelenskiy warns Russia is planning to attack NATO from Belarus, U.S. weighs optionsRussia could use Belarus for operation against Ukraine or NATO country – Zelensky

• Zelensky (Telegram/Telegram-X): “We will strengthen the Chernihiv–Kyiv direction… Ukraine will undoubtedly defend itself if Alexander Lukashenko makes the wrong call.”

Zelensky: Ukraine to strengthen Kyiv–Chernihiv direction amid threat of Belarus involvementRussia could use Belarus for operation against Ukraine or NATO country – ZelenskyZelenskyy accuses Russia of trying to draw Belarus deeper into war against UkraineThe Straits TimesZelenskiy warns Russia is planning to attack NATO from Belarus, U.S. weighs options

• European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius: warned that Russia could attempt an attack on a NATO state within two to four years, citing intelligence from Germany, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands and Baltic services.

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• U.S. and NATO officials: began coordinated assessments of Belarusian troop movements and missile deployments, and discussed possible conditions on further arms transfers to Kyiv.

Zelenskiy warns Russia is planning to attack NATO from Belarus, U.S. weighs options

• Moscow and Minsk: offered no immediate comment on the accusations.

The Straits Times

Analysts cited in the Hindustan Samachar report note that Russian and Belarusian officials have previously dismissed Kyiv’s warnings as “psychological operations” or “baseless alarmism.” Some U.S. officials cautioned that heightened rhetoric could raise the risk of miscalculation along NATO’s eastern flank.

Zelenskiy warns Russia is planning to attack NATO from Belarus, U.S. weighs options

Demchenko asserted that the current Russian troop presence in Belarus does not pose an immediate direct threat, yet also warned that the newly built infrastructure could be activated at any time. No independent verification of the intercepted Russian documents or of concrete operational orders has been presented. The absence of a direct response from Belarus leaves the extent of its willingness to host offensive operations unclear.

Kyiv Independent

• “We will strengthen the Chernihiv–Kyiv direction,” — Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine

Zelensky: Ukraine to strengthen Kyiv–Chernihiv direction amid threat of Belarus involvement

• “Ukraine will undoubtedly defend itself and its people if Alexander Lukashenko makes the wrong call and decides to support this Russian intention as well,” — Volodymyr Zelensky

The Straits Times

• “Zelensky also said that Ukraine possesses intercepted Russian documents outlining targets for strikes in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.” — Volodymyr Zelensky

Zelensky: Ukraine to strengthen Kyiv–Chernihiv direction amid threat of Belarus involvement

Ukraine’s Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff is expected to review and approve the response plan within days. NATO allies are monitoring Belarusian deployments, and the EU is preparing additional long-range sanctions against Russia. Parallel to the security dimension, the Council of Europe is advancing a Special Tribunal to prosecute alleged Russian aggression, underscoring the broader legal and diplomatic stakes of the emerging Belarusian front.

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