Russia Using Belarus Territory to Bypass Ukraine’s Defences, Says Zelenskyy

The war in Ukraine has entered another complex and dangerous phase as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia is increasingly using Belarusian territory to bypass Ukrainian defences. This allegation has raised fresh concerns across Europe, signaling a possible expansion of the conflict’s geographic scope and adding pressure on NATO’s eastern flank.
According to Zelenskyy, Moscow is exploiting its close alliance with Belarus to create new military routes, allowing Russian forces to maneuver around fortified Ukrainian positions. While Belarus has not officially entered the war as a combatant, its role as a logistical and strategic partner to Russia is becoming more pronounced, reshaping the dynamics of the ongoing conflict.
A Strategic Shift in the Battlefield
Ukraine has spent months reinforcing its defensive lines, particularly along the eastern and southern fronts where Russian assaults have been most intense. However, Zelenskyy argues that Russia’s use of Belarusian territory provides a strategic shortcut, enabling troops, weapons, and equipment to move more freely and threaten Ukraine from unexpected directions.
Belarus shares a long northern border with Ukraine, making it a crucial geographical factor. Early in the war, Russian forces launched attacks toward Kyiv from Belarus, a move that shocked many observers. Although those forces later withdrew, Ukraine never fully ruled out the possibility of renewed pressure from the north.
Zelenskyy’s latest comments suggest that this threat is once again becoming real, even if indirectly. Rather than launching a full-scale invasion from Belarus, Russia may be using the territory to reposition forces, train troops, and store equipment, complicating Ukraine’s defense planning.
Belarus’s Role: Silent Partner or Active Enabler?
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly claimed that his country does not want to be drawn directly into the war. Yet, evidence suggests Belarus continues to allow Russian forces access to its bases, airspace, and infrastructure. Military exercises involving Russian troops on Belarusian soil have become frequent, sending warning signals to Kyiv and Western allies.
For Ukraine, this creates a constant state of uncertainty. Defending every possible northern approach requires resources, manpower, and vigilance—assets that are already stretched thin due to intense fighting elsewhere.
Zelenskyy has emphasized that even without firing a single shot, Belarus’s cooperation with Russia undermines regional security and gives Moscow tactical advantages. This, he argues, makes Belarus complicit in Russia’s aggression.
Implications for Ukraine’s Defence Strategy
Ukraine’s military leadership now faces a difficult balancing act. Strengthening defenses in the north could weaken positions in the east and south, where active combat continues daily. Russia’s ability to use Belarusian territory forces Ukraine to spread its forces wider, reducing the effectiveness of concentrated defense lines.
At the same time, Ukraine continues to rely heavily on Western military aid, including air defense systems, surveillance technology, and long-range weapons. Zelenskyy has used this latest warning to renew calls for faster and stronger support from allies, stressing that Russia’s evolving tactics require an equally adaptive response.
Regional and Global Reactions
Zelenskyy’s remarks have resonated beyond Ukraine. NATO members bordering Belarus, such as Poland and Lithuania, are closely monitoring the situation. Any increased military activity in Belarus raises alarms about spillover risks and potential provocations near NATO borders.
Western leaders have consistently warned Belarus against direct involvement in the war, suggesting that such a move would trigger harsher sanctions. However, as Russia continues to use Belarusian territory indirectly, questions arise about how the international community should respond to this gray-zone cooperation.
Some analysts argue that Russia’s strategy is designed to test Western resolve while avoiding immediate escalation. By keeping Belarus formally out of the war, Moscow may believe it can exploit strategic benefits without provoking a stronger international backlash.
A War with Expanding Dimensions
Zelenskyy’s warning underscores a broader reality: the war in Ukraine is no longer confined to traditional front lines. It is increasingly shaped by alliances, geography, and indirect involvement from neighboring states. The use of Belarusian territory highlights how modern conflicts can evolve beyond declared battlefields, making them harder to contain and resolve.
As Ukraine continues to defend its sovereignty, the situation in Belarus remains a critical factor. Whether Minsk chooses to deepen its involvement or maintain its current role could significantly influence the war’s next phase.
Conclusion
Russia’s alleged use of Belarusian territory to bypass Ukraine’s defences marks a troubling development in an already complex conflict. Zelenskyy’s warning serves as a reminder that the war’s consequences extend far beyond Ukraine’s borders. As geopolitical tensions rise, the international community faces renewed urgency to address not only the battlefield realities but also the strategic networks enabling the conflict.
For Ukraine, vigilance on all fronts—military, diplomatic, and political—remains essential as it confronts an adversary willing to adapt and expand its tactics in pursuit of dominance.