Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has instructed the Defense Forces to formulate a response plan addressing potential threats from Belarus, while also reinforcing the Chernihiv-Kyiv front. This directive was communicated during a recent address.
Zelensky noted an increase in Russian activity, particularly in discussions with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. He expressed concerns that Russia aims to further involve Belarus in the conflict, potentially launching additional aggressive operations from its territory against Ukraine’s Chernihiv-Kyiv direction or neighboring NATO countries.
“There has been greater Russian activity – I mean in conversations with Alexander Lukashenko. They want to significantly involve Belarus in the war and initiate additional aggressive operations from Belarus – either against our Chernihiv-Kyiv direction or against one of the NATO countries nearby,”
he stated. Zelensky also revealed that Ukrainian intelligence has obtained Russian documents outlining targets for strikes on Kyiv and other cities, including political and military sites where army leadership and government officials may be located, specifically mentioning Bankova Street.
“They have long been planning this – now, after Iran, they have become active again – looking for where we are, where we can be found. The same applies to other individuals in Ukrainian leadership, intelligence, and our special services. Some in Moscow still do not understand that Ukrainians will never surrender their independence, and in any case – whether at Bankova or elsewhere – we will not give up our land, our sovereignty, our state,”
Zelensky emphasized.
On April 20, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna responded to Zelensky’s claims regarding Russia’s preparations for an attack on the Baltic states, stating that such assertions do not align with Estonia’s intelligence data. He accused Zelensky of complicating cooperation among nations through these statements.
Additionally, President Zelensky mentioned that Russian authorities are restricting social media to mitigate potential protests that could arise in Russia due to the announcement of a general mobilization for a renewed large-scale offensive against Ukraine or an attack on one of the Baltic countries.
Ukrainian President Zelensky has ordered a strategic response to threats from Belarus amid rising Russian military activity. He disclosed intelligence indicating plans for strikes on key Ukrainian targets, while also addressing international diplomatic tensions regarding security in the Baltic region.