Covert offensive: State Border Guard Service clarifies if Russian breakthrough via Chornobyl is possible

Against the backdrop of the Kremlin’s official announcement kicking off joint nuclear drills with Minsk, Ukraine’s Defense Forces maintain full control over the situation. The State Border Guard Service stresses that while the threat from Belarus remains a constant risk factor, any enemy attempt to launch a stealth cross-border incursion—specifically through the Chornobyl exclusion zone—is doomed to be instantly detected and crushed.

The statement was made on the national news telethon by SBGS spokesman Andriy Demchenko.

Demchenko was specifically asked to assess the security of the border section adjacent to the Chornobyl zone and whether the aggressor could exploit the exclusion zone to slip into Ukrainian territory unnoticed.

"Slipping through unnoticed is practically impossible. Since 2022, the border has undergone massive engineering reinforcement along its entire length," Demchenko stated. "This covers all 1,000-plus kilometers of the border with Belarus—from Volyn to the Chernihiv region. And that absolutely includes the Kyiv region."

According to him, all high-risk axes are fortified, with mine-explosive barriers being actively deployed. Heavy engineering works are being carried out directly along the borderline.

"Right in the border areas, all components of our Defense Forces deployed to this sector are working alongside local authorities to build up fortifications. This is a non-stop process—bolstering key positions where our troops hold the line to ensure they can neutralize any threat emerging from Belarusian territory," he said.

Demchenko notes that any moves Russia makes involving Belarusian territory present a direct threat to Ukraine.

"Lately, however, the rhetoric coming out of Belarus has been targeting both Ukraine and European nations," the serviceman added.

According to Demchenko, Minsk is constantly whipping up hysteria, claiming Belarus is allegedly under threat from multiple sides and must stand strong to counter any challenges. He stresses that no one is threatening Belarus; instead, the country continues to back Russia, staging non-stop military drills and readiness checks.

"Right now, they are engaging in blackmail regarding the deployment of nuclear weapons on Belarusian soil. So of course, the threat from Belarus is real, and we must be ready for any scenario. That said, looking at the state border line right now, we are not detecting any troop or hardware movements in its immediate vicinity," the spokesman said.

Demchenko concluded that while there is currently no massive Russian troop presence inside Belarus, Moscow could leverage the country as a staging ground at any moment by rapidly redeploying additional forces there.