Relay systems in Belarus that, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, were used to help adjust strikes on Ukrainian territory have stopped operating. The Ukrainian leader said publicly that he still does not know whether the systems were dismantled.
“Whether they were dismantled or not, I do not know yet. But we are working on this, I am following it very closely and receive reports every day,” Zelensky said.
Belarusian authorities had not commented on the statement at the time of publication. At the same time, the Belarusian outlet Flagstok reported that Russian drones had not been seen near the Belarus-Ukraine border for the past three days.
The outlet suggested the shutdown may have followed Kyiv’s warning. Last week, Zelensky said that at least four relay systems were deployed in the Brest and Gomel regions and were being used to help direct fire at Ukraine.
At that time, the Ukrainian president gave the Belarusian authorities one week to switch off the equipment, warning that otherwise it could be destroyed.
Later, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko would discuss Zelensky’s ultimatum. He described Kyiv’s demand as an “encroachment on the sovereignty of another country.”
Against that backdrop, Lukashenko urged residents of the Gomel region not to worry or be alarmed.