Ukraine has issued a warning to Belarus regarding the deployment of Russian relay stations designed to enhance drone strike accuracy against Ukrainian cities. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that four such relay stations have been established in the Gomel and Brest regions of Belarus, facilitating Russian military operations.
During a recent address, Zelensky emphasized that Belarus has a limited timeframe to dismantle this equipment. He noted that Ukrainian intelligence is closely monitoring Belarusian enterprises that supply components to the Russian military, particularly those involved in armored vehicles and missile systems.
In a separate incident, on June 17, the governor of Russia’s Bryansk region, Yegor Kovalchuk, reported that a bus transporting a children’s football team from Gomel to Gelendzhik was damaged due to what he described as a Ukrainian military strike. This incident resulted in one fatality and injuries to eight individuals, including six children, two of whom are in critical condition.
Both Russian and Belarusian investigative committees have launched criminal cases in response to the incident, which has been classified as a terrorist act in Russia. However, the Ukrainian General Staff has denied any involvement, asserting that Ukrainian forces did not deploy drones in the Bryansk region during the relevant period.
The Ukrainian command characterized the Russian claims as an information provocation, suggesting that the Kremlin is resorting to misinformation tactics amid significant battlefield losses. They argued that the lack of military success has led Russia to fabricate accusations against Ukraine.
In reaction to the bus incident, the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack but also highlighted the need for stricter regulations on the organization of trips abroad, particularly for children, to ensure their safety and prevent travel to conflict zones.
On June 18, the Security Service of Ukraine announced that it had intercepted an official Russian document confirming Ukraine’s non-involvement in the bus attack, indicating that it was a ‘special operation’ conducted by Russian intelligence services.
Ukraine has warned Belarus about the establishment of Russian drone relay stations, while denying involvement in a recent incident involving a bus attack in Bryansk. The situation highlights ongoing tensions and accusations between Ukraine and Russia amid the conflict.