Zelensky says Belarusian equipment guiding Russian drone strikes has stopped operating after Ukraine ultimatum

What happened

The Kyiv Independent reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on June 24 that Belarusian equipment used to support Russian drone strikes has stopped operating as of June 22. Zelensky made this statement days after issuing an ultimatum to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to remove the communications equipment or face consequences from Ukraine.

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. According to Zelensky, the now-inactive systems consisted of relay equipment mounted on communications towers that assisted Russian Shahed-type attack drones in navigating during long-range strikes. These drones rely on radio communications networks and ground-based infrastructure, some of which was reportedly located on Belarusian territory to strike Ukraine.

Ukraine’s State Border Guard also reported a decrease in Russian drone activity entering northern Chernihiv Oblast and a cessation of large Shahed drone raids along the Belarus-Ukraine border. This suggests the operational pause of the Belarusian equipment is impacting Russian drone flight patterns. However, Zelensky did not confirm whether the equipment had been dismantled or merely disabled.

Known from the source

• President Volodymyr Zelensky said Belarusian equipment used to support Russian drone strikes stopped operating as of June 22.
• The equipment was reportedly relay communications infrastructure on Belarusian territory aiding Russian Shahed-type drones.
• Ukrainian border guards noticed a reduction in Russian attack drones entering northern Chernihiv Oblast.
• Large Shahed drone raids along the Belarus-Ukraine border have stopped, according to Ukraine’s State Border Guard.
• Zelensky issued an ultimatum to Belarus to remove the equipment or face unspecified Ukrainian action.

What remains unclear

The Kremlin responded to Zelensky’s ultimatum by accusing Kyiv of aggression and violating Belarus’s sovereignty. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed plans for a forthcoming meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Lukashenko to discuss the situation. Belarus remains a key Russian ally in the war against Ukraine, and Minsk’s support has been critical for Moscow’s military operations.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Whether the Belarusian equipment has been dismantled or simply disabled remains unconfirmed. Independent verification that the equipment has fully ceased operation is needed beyond Zelensky's statement. Confirmation of any Ukrainian retaliatory or preparatory measures following the ultimatum.

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.