Tsikhanouskaya Warns of Belarus Role in New Russian Strikes
The exiled opposition leader claims Belarusian infrastructure supports Russian drone operations and warns of potential new attacks.
Key points
- Tsikhanouskaya claims Belarusian infrastructure aids Russian drone logistics.
- Over 500 Belarusian firms reportedly supply components to the Russian military.
- New rail infrastructure in Gomel Oblast is designed for military transport.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has warned that Russia could utilize Belarusian territory to launch new attacks against Ukraine, a scenario she described as a realistic possibility. Speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, the exiled opposition leader indicated that Minsk is already deeply integrated into Moscow’s military logistics.
According to reports from the Kyiv Independent, Tsikhanouskaya stated that Belarusian infrastructure is currently being used to support Russian drone operations. She specifically cited the provision of logistics and equipment necessary for directing these unmanned aerial vehicles, suggesting a level of cooperation that goes beyond passive tolerance.
Infrastructure Supports Drone Operations
Ukrainian officials recently alleged that Russia is leveraging Belarusian telecommunications networks, including LTE systems and repeater stations, to maintain stable signals for Shahed-type drones during attacks. Tsikhanouskaya corroborated these claims, noting that repeaters are being installed along the borders with Ukraine and EU member states. She warned that such installations could facilitate future provocations or direct military strikes.
Economic Ties Deepen Military Link
The political alignment appears driven by significant economic benefits for the Belarusian regime. Tsikhanouskaya argued that over 500 local companies now produce components for the Russian military, including optics and microchips, while also helping Moscow circumvent international sanctions. She further pointed to the development of warehouses for the Russian online retailer Wildberries, a target of recent Ukrainian drone strikes, as evidence of this deepening integration.
Military Preparations Raise Regional Tensions
These diplomatic warnings coincide with heightened military activity in the region. Belarus conducted exercises near its borders with Poland and Lithuania in mid-September, which Minsk described as defensive. Additionally, new railway infrastructure in the southern Gomel Oblast is being built to handle military trains carrying heavy equipment. Observers watch these developments closely as indicators of potential shifts in the conflict’s geography.
