Zelenskyy Alerts to Russian Efforts to Re-engage Belarus in Ukraine Conflict
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a stark warning that Russia is actively seeking to reinvolve its ally Belarus in the ongoing war against Ukraine. In a statement posted on Telegram on Friday, Zelenskyy referenced an intelligence report from Ukraine's top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, detailing concerning military activities along the Belarusian border.
Intelligence Points to Military Buildup in Belarus
According to Zelenskyy, intelligence indicates that Russia is overseeing the construction of roads leading towards Ukraine and establishing artillery positions in the Belarusian border area. "We believe that Russia will once again try to involve Belarus in its war," Zelenskyy wrote, emphasizing that Ukraine has prepared defensive measures and issued warnings to the Belarusian leadership regarding its readiness to protect its sovereignty.
He further noted that intelligence suggests Russia is attempting to regroup its forces, likely to address personnel shortages, which may explain increased military activity within Belarus. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, previously allowed Belarusian territory to be used as a staging ground for Russia's invasion in February 2022.
Ukraine Offers Maritime Security Expertise
In related developments, Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine's wartime experience in the Black Sea as a potential asset for ensuring freedom of navigation in strategic waterways like the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a video conference attended by 50 countries and chaired by France and Britain, he stressed the importance of clear, decisive actions to prevent conflicts similar to those in Gaza.
"Russia also attempted to blockade our sea, and we have experience in escorting merchant vessels, demining, defending against air attacks, and the overall coordination of such operations," Zelenskyy stated. He added that Ukraine has sent specialists to Middle Eastern countries to share expertise in countering Russian drones, many of which are designed in Iran, and is pursuing security cooperation agreements with nations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Other Key Developments in the Conflict
Meanwhile, a significant fire broke out at an oil terminal in Tikhoretsk, located in Russia's Krasnodar region, early on Saturday. Regional emergency services reported deploying 224 firefighters and 56 vehicles to combat the blaze, with no casualties reported. The cause of the fire remains undetermined.
On the military front, Commander Syrskyi noted that Ukrainian forces are intensifying strikes on Russian military and defense-industrial targets to degrade offensive capabilities. In March alone, Ukraine hit 76 such targets, including 15 facilities in the oil-refining industry.
In diplomatic news, Serbia's Russian-owned NIS oil company has secured a 60-day sanctions waiver from the United States, allowing it to continue importing crude oil until the sale of its Russian majority stake to Hungary's MOL is completed. This follows previous sanctions imposed on NIS as part of broader measures against Russia's energy sector over the war in Ukraine.
