KYIV, March 23 (Reuters) - Russia plans to open four ground control stations for long-range attack drones in Belarus, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday, citing information from Ukraine's
Russia to Open Four Control Stations for Long-Range Drones in Belarus
Russia's Plans and Ukraine's Response
Announcement by President Zelenskiy
KYIV, March 23 (Reuters) - Russia plans to open four ground control stations for long-range attack drones in Belarus, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday, citing information from Ukraine's military intelligence service.
Concerns Over Belarusian Involvement
Zelenskiy, who in recent months has repeatedly warned about Belarus becoming more involved in Russia's war against Ukraine, added in comments on X that he had instructed the service's chief to inform Kyiv's partners about these plans.
Historical Context and Military Actions
Speaking later in his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said that earlier in the now four-year-old war, Belarusian assistance had for a time intensified the damage inflicted by Russian attacks until Ukraine took action against it.
Intelligence on Drone Control Stations
"We now have information from our intelligence that Russia intends to continue using the territory of Belarus and temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine to build ground control stations for long-range drones," he said.
"There will be responses to this. And they will be felt."
International and Official Reactions
Belarus' foreign ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment outside of business hours.
(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Daniel Flynn, Ron Popeski, Rod Nickel)
