Zelenskyy spoke about Russia's plans to create a drone launch base in Belarus. The Ministry of Defense says he was misunderstood
Ukrainian media reported, citing statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interpretation by Forbes magazine, about alleged Russian plans to create long-range drone launch bases in Belarus, which could increase the threat to Ukraine. However, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine states that the president was misunderstood, writes "RBC-Ukraine".
Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: Sean Gallup / Getty Images
After Zelenskyy's words, reports appeared in the media that attacks on Ukraine could become more frequent and dangerous, as the distance to Kyiv from Belarusian territory is short, complicating the work of Ukrainian air defense. It was also mentioned that the creation of several drone control points and even the deployment of modern missiles in Belarus could be discussed.
However, Serhiy "Flash" Beskrestnov, an advisor to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, stated that the media twisted the information. According to him, journalists are incorrectly conveying the words of the President of Ukraine.
He emphasized that he knows nothing about the construction of specific bases for launching "Shaheds" from Belarus and called such reports an exaggeration that creates psychological pressure on people.
Beskrestnov clarified that Zelenskyy was talking not about launch bases, but about drone control points, which already existed and which Ukraine destroyed. According to him, the authors of the articles mistakenly called these antennas "long-range bases".
Previously, Ukrainian specialists had observed the actions of Russian drone operators for a long time and gathered evidence of the use of Belarusian territory for attacks. Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted that Ukraine had destroyed such control points and possibly prevented their restoration.