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Belarus Could Enter War Against Ukraine by Deploying Ballistic Missiles at Russia’s Request, Zelenskyy Says
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Russia is considering deploying additional ballistic missile systems in Belarus, potentially expanding its ability to strike western Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on October 17.
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According to Zelenskyy’s remarks to journalists on October 17, Moscow is seeking Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko’s cooperation to expand its military infrastructure in the country and support further attacks against Ukraine.
The Ukrainian president said Russia has already positioned communications relay equipment in Belarus to facilitate drone operations, but Moscow appears interested in expanding its capabilities beyond unmanned aerial systems.
Zelenskyy warned that deploying ballistic missiles on Belarusian territory would create an additional threat to Ukraine’s western regions, potentially allowing Russian forces to launch attacks from another direction.
He also emphasized that such a move would further involve Belarus in Russia’s full-scale invasion, exposing the country to additional security risks.
The president said Ukraine intends to strengthen its air defenses in response to the evolving threat. This includes increasing production of turret-mounted defensive systems and distributing them across regions based on the intensity of Russian attacks.
Belarus has played a supporting role in Russia’s invasion since February 2022, when Russian troops used its territory to launch an offensive toward Kyiv. Moscow has also used Belarusian airfields, military facilities, and airspace to support operations against Ukraine.
Although Belarusian armed forces have not formally entered the fighting as a separate combat force, the Lukashenko government continues to provide Russia with logistical support, access to infrastructure, and military-industrial assistance.
Earlier, on October 16, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko ordered the creation of “people’s militia” units in every village council across the country, expanding local defense structures amid growing concerns over Belarus’s potential deeper involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
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