Ukraine says new roads, ammunition depots and fuel facilities on Belarusian territory point to military preparation along routes leading towards northern and western Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Belarus of developing border infrastructure that could support a wider Russian-led war against Ukraine, warning that the construction work must be halted by Minsk.

The warning followed a briefing from Oleh Luhovskyi, acting head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service. In a public statement after the meeting, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence had identified the construction of roads, ammunition storage sites and facilities for fuel and lubricants along Belarusian routes leading towards Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said the infrastructure had “no other meaning except military” and was being developed under obvious Russian influence. He added that Ukrainian intelligence had seen the same areas described in Russian documents in the context of Moscow’s so-called “special military operation”.

The routes named by the Ukrainian president were Kobryn–Kovel, Ivanove–Manevychi, Luninets–Sarny, Rechytsa–Korosten and Gomel–Chernihiv. These directions point towards Ukraine’s north-western and northern regions, including Volyn, Rivne, Zhytomyr and Chernihiv. Zelenskyy’s post was accompanied by maps identifying the areas of concern.

The accusation places Belarus back at the centre of Ukraine’s northern security calculations. Although Belarusian troops have not formally entered the war, Belarusian territory was used by Russia during the first phase of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, including for the advance towards Kyiv. Minsk has since remained one of Moscow’s closest military and logistical partners.

The latest warning also follows earlier Ukrainian concern over Belarusian facilities allegedly used to assist Russian strikes. Zelenskyy recently urged Minsk to dismantle relay stations which Kyiv says have helped Russian drone operations against Ukraine. The Kremlin responded by accusing Ukraine of threatening the sovereignty of Belarus, a Russian ally which currently hosts Russian tactical nuclear weapons.

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Zelenskyy said Belarus had already received the necessary signals from Ukraine about the new border activity, as well as about other forms of cooperation with Russia which Kyiv believes contribute to prolonging and widening the war.

“The development of border infrastructure of aggression from Belarus must be stopped,” Zelenskyy said. “Steps aimed at de-escalation and peace must be taken by the Belarusian side itself.”

The statement came on the same day that Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarusian leader, claimed he had met representatives of Zelenskyy in Belarus. During comments in Minsk, Lukashenko said Belarus did not need to be drawn into the war. Kyiv has not publicly confirmed or commented on his claim.

For Ukraine, the issue is not only whether Belarus intends to send troops, but whether its territory and infrastructure are being adapted to support Russian operations. Roads, fuel depots and ammunition storage sites near the border would be relevant to any rapid military movement, even if no immediate offensive follows.

A renewed threat from Belarus would force Ukraine to keep additional forces, surveillance assets and air defences in the north. That could affect the allocation of resources at a time when the main fighting remains concentrated elsewhere, particularly in the east and south.

The named routes also carry operational significance. They lead towards regions that matter for Ukraine’s internal logistics and links with European partners. Even without a direct attack, the construction of military infrastructure in these areas could be used to apply pressure on Kyiv and complicate Ukrainian defence planning.

Belarus has repeatedly sought to present itself as avoiding direct participation in the war. However, its military alignment with Russia, the use of its territory, and the continuing development of infrastructure near Ukraine’s border remain central to Kyiv’s assessment of the threat.

Zelenskyy’s message was therefore aimed at both Minsk and Moscow. By identifying specific routes and facilities, Ukraine is signalling that it is monitoring the Belarusian border closely. By demanding de-escalation from Belarus, Kyiv is also placing responsibility on Lukashenko’s authorities for any further deterioration.

The immediate question is whether Belarus will stop the work or continue building infrastructure that Ukraine regards as part of Russia’s wider military planning. For Kyiv, the distinction between Belarusian statements and Belarusian preparations is now the central issue.

Photo: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)