Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Belarus to dismantle relay stations he says are crucial in allowing Russian drone attacks on Ukraine – warning that Kyiv will otherwise do it by force.
Kyiv knows of four relay stations assisting Russian military activity, the Ukrainian president said, as he demanded the Belarusian government take action.
Belarus has been one of Moscow’s closest allies throughout the war, and its president, Aleksandr Lukashenko, is a close ally of Vladimir Putin.
“Belarus still has time to dismantle this equipment. We also know about every factory in Belarus that works for Russia and supports the war,” Mr Zelensky said.
“If he doesn’t do it, we’ll do it,” Mr Zelensky said on Friday, without elaborating.
It comes after Ukraine launched another attack on a Russian oil refinery in Siberia, more than 2,500km (1,550 miles) east of the Ukrainian border.
The Tyumen refinery, one of the country’s most modern and complex, has a nominal capacity of around 8 million metric tons per year.
Meanwhile, Mr Zelensky said on Saturday that Russian forces were preparing an impending massive attack and warned residents to take special care as Russian strikes in different regions killed at least six people.
