Zelensky Issues One-Week Ultimatum to Belarus Over Border Relay Equipment

On 19 June 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave Belarus a seven-day deadline to dismantle relay equipment on border towers that Kyiv says guides Russian drone and missile strikes. He warned that if Minsk does not act, Ukrainian forces will strike towers and radars along the 1,000-km frontier. The demand follows a 14 June drone strike on a school bus from Gomel to Gelendzhik, which killed one passenger and injured six.

Zelensky doubles down on ultimatum to destroy relay stations along Belarusian border

Since the 2022 invasion, Belarus has served as a launch base for Russian missiles and drones targeting Ukraine. The country hosts Russian nuclear weapons, conducts joint nuclear drills, and supplies refined oil that Kyiv says fuels Russia’s war. Minsk insists it has not deployed troops, remains neutral, and seeks a diplomatic solution.

Euronews

The border stretches about 1,000 km. Ukrainian intelligence has identified roughly 500 strategic targets in Belarus, including relay stations and air-defence radars. The school-bus strike left one dead and six injured.

Zelensky doubles down on ultimatum to destroy relay stations along Belarusian border

Zelenskyy said a week is enough for Minsk to deactivate relay gear and warned forces will strike towers and radars if demand is ignored, adding gear “adjusts fire on our people” and urging Belarus to stop supplies to Russia. Lukashenko replied Belarus does not threaten Ukraine, has no intention to join war, and will answer attempts to drag Minsk into conflict. Ministry demanded explanation of school-bus incident, while Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems commander said Kyiv identified 500 targets in Belarus.

Zelensky doubles down on ultimatum to destroy relay stations along Belarusian borderPolitico EuropeUnited24 MediaEuronews

Belarus maintains that it has not deployed troops, remains neutral, and denies that its infrastructure aids Russian attacks, arguing that Ukraine’s threats risk widening the conflict.

Euronews

Zelenskyy asserts that Belarusian relay stations guide Russian strikes, while Minsk denies any involvement and claims it does not threaten Ukraine. Ukraine attributes the 14 June school-bus drone attack to Russian forces operating from Belarus, but Kyiv has denied responsibility. Independent verification of the number and locations of the relay devices and of the 500 identified targets is lacking.

Politico EuropeEuronewsZelensky doubles down on ultimatum to destroy relay stations along Belarusian borderUnited24 Media

• “If he does not do it, we will.” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine

Zelensky doubles down on ultimatum to destroy relay stations along Belarusian border

• “ “I think a week is enough for him to do that.” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine

Politico Europe

• “But we have one very serious target, with precise coordinates. And it is not far from Belarus,” — Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus

Zelensky doubles down on ultimatum to destroy relay stations along Belarusian border

• “Lukashenko said in an interview with Al Arabiya on June 15 that Belarus does not pose a threat to Ukraine.” — Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus

Politico Europe

If Belarus does not remove the equipment by the deadline, Kyiv says it will carry out strikes on the identified towers and radars. The situation also raises the prospect of further diplomatic engagement and heightened regional tension.

United24 Media