How Ukraine’s Border with Belarus is Fortified Against a Potential Russian Offensive

As we arrived in the northern Chernihiv region—right along the Belarusian border—a familiar headline flashed in the media:

“Belarus amasses troops near the Ukrainian border.”

We stood on the Dnipro River’s bank, eyes scanning the opposite shore for any sign of Belarusian troops. The border guards with us cracked a brief smile when we mentioned the news, but it faded fast—there’s no room for humor here.

On the night of February 24, 2022, Russian forces advanced into Ukraine through Belarus, partially occupying Kyiv and Chernihiv regions for a month. Border guards were the first to face the invaders, blowing up the bridge over the Dnipro River—a critical link between the two countries. This bold move crippled Russian logistics, forcing them onto longer, more difficult routes.

For civilians, reports of Belarusian troop movements are new. For border guards, keeping a close watch on the neighbor is routine—headlines or not. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, patrols and border posts have multiplied, though the exact details remain a tightly held secret.

Most of Ukraine’s border is land-based, with the southern border being maritime. However, there are unique cases like the one we visited: several kilometers of river separates the two countries. Here, patrols rely on special boats. We boarded one and joined a team of soldiers on duty.

“It may seem like we’re just sailing, but in reality, we have a designated area of responsibility,” explains Roman, one of the coxswains. “We monitor any changes, even if it’s something as small as a fallen tree or a missing structure.”

The boat, part of U.S. military aid, was new to the crew, who were trained on it in relatively safe areas of Ukraine. Roman, already experienced with watercraft, focused his training on mastering the new technology.

Roman joined the border service after Russia’s full-scale invasion, returning to Ukraine from abroad where he had been working. A native of the Chernihiv region, the Russian war hit his home hard. At first, he helped with evacuations and volunteered to assist others. He saw the brutal actions of Russian forces—killing civilians and attacking humanitarian convoys—firsthand. Those horrors drove him to enlist in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

He deliberately chose to serve in the Chernihiv region because he grew up here. “I know this area well; I can be truly useful,” says Roman, looking to be in his 40s.

“I know everything here because I’m local,” adds another border guard, a younger man with the call sign “Technik,” who drives an armored vehicle used to transport soldiers or supplies to key locations. While many border guards are locals, not all are. Regular rotations from the frontlines and other regions of Ukraine bolster the northern border’s defenses.

The area where we are stationed is relatively calm, unlike the tense sections along the Ukrainian-Russian border. Here, one of the most frequent threats comes from Shahed drones. Belarus tries to distance itself from the war Russia started, but in reality, it remains complicit. Shahed drones continue to enter Ukraine through Belarusian airspace, and mobile fire teams, including border guards, are on constant alert to defend the skies.

What if another offensive comes? Since 2022, Ukraine has built an extensive network of fortifications along the northern border. While details remain undisclosed for security reasons, we were shown one stronghold: a fortified position where border guards maintain constant vigilance. It features reinforced structures, firing points, and bunkers, and is expertly camouflaged.

Border guards regularly patrol the area and are the first to engage in case of danger. This happens frequently along the Russian border, where Russian sabotage groups operate and mortar shelling is common. If needed, military forces or the National Guard provide reinforcements. The exact number of soldiers in the northern forests of Ukraine remains classified.

“The defense of the northern border has been significantly strengthened,” explained an officer who has been serving in the area for only a few months and requested not to be named or photographed for security reasons. “Far more soldiers and equipment are now in place.” In addition to river and ground patrols, drone reconnaissance is actively used, helping to detect any potential concentration of enemy forces near Ukraine’s borders.

“We haven’t observed them yet,” the press officer says to a reporter’s inquiry from Kyiv, offering some reassurance after news surfaced about Belarusian troop movements.

Since Russia launched its full-scale war, Ukraine’s border forces have been significantly reinforced with more soldiers and equipment. The only things missing are tanks and aviation—or perhaps they just haven’t told us about those yet.