Russian Relay Stations in Belarus Cease Operations

Relay stations in Belarus used by Russia to guide “Shahed” missiles stopped operating on June 22, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This development follows a June 19 ultimatum from Zelenskyy demanding the removal of the equipment within one week or facing potential countermeasures from Kyiv.

Why did the Belarusian relay stations stop operating?

President Zelenskyy informed reporters that the stations, located in two Belarusian regions bordering Ukraine, are currently non-operational. He noted that while he does not yet know if the equipment has been fully dismantled, he receives daily reports on the situation.

The cessation of activity comes after Zelenskyy warned on June 19 that Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko had one week to remove the Russian relay stations. Zelenskyy stated that if the equipment remained, Ukraine would take response measures.

Did You Know? Russian tactical nuclear weapons are currently stationed in Minsk, though Belarus has repeatedly stated it has no intention of directly joining the conflict.

How have Russia and Belarus responded to the ultimatum?

The Kremlin has characterized the Ukrainian demands as a threat to Belarusian sovereignty. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Zelenskyy of attempting to “impose order on the territory of a sovereign state” and trying to drag Belarus into the war.

Zelenskyy Warns Belarus on Russian Relay Stations

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko are expected to discuss Zelenskyy’s statements in the near future. For his part, Lukashenko described the possibility of the war spreading into Belarus as “absolutely unacceptable.”

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter suggests that the tension centers on the dual-use nature of Belarusian infrastructure. The reliance on these relay stations highlights a strategic dependency where Russian operational capabilities are tied to Belarusian territorial compliance, creating a high-stakes diplomatic friction point.

What could happen next in the region?

Future developments may depend on whether the relay stations are permanently dismantled or merely paused. If the equipment is not fully removed, Zelenskyy’s previously mentioned “countermeasures” could be a possible next step for Kyiv.

Additionally, the situation may shift following the upcoming discussions between Putin and Lukashenko. Since Zelenskyy claimed that certain Belarusian enterprises continue to facilitate Russian aggression, these entities could become focal points for further diplomatic or strategic pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the relay stations in Belarus stop working?
According to President Zelenskyy, the stations stopped operating on June 22.

What was the deadline given to Alexander Lukashenko?
Zelenskyy gave Lukashenko one week from June 19 to remove the Russian relay stations from Belarusian territory.

Has Belarus sent its own troops into the war?
No, the source states that Minsk has not sent its own troops into the war and has denied intentions to involve itself directly, although Russian forces used Belarusian territory to enter Ukraine in February 2022.

Do you believe diplomatic pressure is enough to keep neighboring states from providing infrastructure support during a conflict?