Tsikhanouskaya warns Russia may use Belarusian territory for new attacks on Ukraine

What happened

Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya told Ukrinform on September 23 that Belarusian infrastructure is currently being used to support Russian drone operations, including providing logistics and equipment for directing these drones. She warned there is a "real possibility" Russia could again use Belarus to launch attacks on Ukraine from the north.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. Tsikhanouskaya detailed that Belarusian LTE networks and repeater stations help maintain stable signals for Shahed-type drones during attacks on Ukraine, citing Ukrainian officials’ comments from September 14. She added that new repeater installations along Belarus’s borders with Ukraine and EU countries could facilitate future Russian attacks or provocations.

She further claimed that over 500 Belarusian companies are economically benefiting from the war by producing military components, including optics and microchips for Russia. Belarus is also said to support Russian supply chains by providing petroleum products and helping Moscow evade sanctions. Cooperation with Russian online retailer Wildberries was highlighted, with new warehouse infrastructure in Belarus linked to facilities targeted by Ukrainian drone strikes.

Known from the source

• Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stated Belarusian infrastructure supports Russian drone operations, including logistics and equipment for directing drones.
• Ukrainian officials said on September 14 that Russia uses Belarusian LTE networks and repeater stations to maintain signals for Shahed-type drones.
• Repeaters are being installed along Belarus's borders with Ukraine and EU countries.
• Belarusian Defense Ministry conducted military exercises near borders with Poland and Lithuania from September 15 to 18.
• Belarus is building new railway infrastructure in Gomel Oblast capable of receiving military trains.

What remains unclear

President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned about a potential northern front and voiced concerns over Belarus’s deeper involvement. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who allowed Russian troop movements through Belarus during the 2022 Kyiv offensive, has denied plans for new attacks and suggested a meeting with Zelensky. Belarus recently held military exercises near its borders and is building railway infrastructure capable of supporting military logistics.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Independent verification that Belarusian infrastructure is actively used for Russian drone operations beyond Tsikhanouskaya’s claims. Confirmation of the number and nature of Belarusian companies producing military components for Russia. Verification of Belarus’s role in facilitating Russian sanctions evasion and supplying petroleum products.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: Kyiv Independent. Open the source.