Zelensky announced the strengthening of air defense on the border with Belarus / Photo by the Office of the President
Air defense will be strengthened in communities bordering Belarus. There is also funding for defense measures in the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this during an evening address on May 21.
What did Zelensky say about strengthening air defense on the border with Belarus?
The Ukrainian leader stressed that he had received many questions about protection from communities bordering Belarus. According to Zelensky, of course, we need to greatly strengthen air defense – just as people have said.
The Minister of Defense of Ukraine knows this priority – there should be an allocation of additional equipment, it will be. There is this capability. I am waiting for a report on the results,
– said the president.
The Head of State also emphasized that there is also funding for all defense measures in the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction.
“If there are issues that are urgent, issues of technology, resources, and communities themselves can do what is necessary, the government must ensure this, finance it, and help,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about strengthening air defense in communities on the border with Belarus / Video from the YouTube channel of the Office of the President
By the way , Advisor to the President's Office Mykhailo Podolyak explained on Channel 24 that a full-scale offensive from Belarus does not look realistic now, given how the war is developing at this stage. However, according to the official, through escalation with a possible offensive, the Kremlin is trying to finally take away from Alexander Lukashenko even the minimum space for maneuver and communication with Western partners.
What is known about a potential attack from Belarus?
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on May 20 that Russia is considering scenarios of additional attacks on Ukraine from the direction of Belarus – Bryansk region. The President emphasized that Ukraine is taking preventive measures to strengthen defense and intensify diplomatic efforts towards Belarus.
Belarus' self-proclaimed leader Alexander Lukashenko has said that Belarus could only be drawn into war if its territory was attacked. The dictator also expressed his “readiness” to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss bilateral relations.
It is worth noting that the SBU and the Defense Forces have launched unprecedented security measures in the northern regions of Ukraine to counter intelligence and subversive activities by Russia and Belarus. The units involved are conducting checks on citizens, inspecting territories, conducting increased patrols, and setting up checkpoints.