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Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Announces New Drone Units to Strengthen Northern Border With Belarus
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Ukraine will establish new unmanned systems units to reinforce its northern border with Belarus and expand the drone component within its Territorial Defense Forces, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi has said following a meeting on the readiness of military reserves.
According to his statement on Telegram on June 16, particular attention during the meeting was paid to strengthening defenses along the state border in the northern direction.
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“To improve the effectiveness of covering the border areas, a decision was made to form new unmanned systems units. They will be provided with the necessary weapons, equipment, and other resources to carry out assigned tasks,” Syrskyi stated.
The meeting also reviewed the condition and readiness of Territorial Defense brigades. According to Syrskyi, a principle decision was made to significantly expand their drone capabilities.
“We made a fundamental decision to scale up the unmanned component within their structure. This will significantly enhance the units’ capabilities in conducting reconnaissance, engaging enemy targets, and defending designated areas of responsibility,” he said.
At the same time, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko addressed concerns over a potential expansion of the front lines in Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, stressing that Minsk has no interest in the war spilling onto Belarusian territory.
He argued that Belarus would be highly exposed to military strikes, claiming that around 500 potential targets have already been identified across the country.
“Belarus is very vulnerable in a military sense if Ukraine starts attacking Belarus the same way it attacks Russia, because Belarus is like the palm of a hand for Ukrainian soldiers. We understand perfectly well that our main life-support facilities—production and logistics—will come under attack,” he said.
Lukashenko also referred to his recent talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that the Kremlin does not see direct Belarusian involvement in the war as advantageous. He added that opening a new front from Belarusian territory would extend the line of contact by roughly 1,500 kilometers, a scenario he claimed would be difficult for both sides to manage.
In addition, Lukashenko has publicly apologized to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for earlier sharp statements directed at him.
He said that he may have gone too far in some instances, but explained that his remarks were a response to what he described as Zelenskyy’s groundless statements, including claims about identified targets in Belarus and potential missile and drone strikes. He noted that he initially chose not to respond, saying his silence surprised many observers.
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