Russia considering attack on Ukraine from Belarus and Bryansk, Zelenskyy warns

The Kremlin is reviewing plans to launch an assault on Ukraine from Belarus and the Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine’s Chernihiv and northern Sumy regions.
President Volodymyr Zelensky issued the warning during his nightly video address on May 20.

Zelenskyy said that he had just chaired a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff. Military leaders, intelligence agencies, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conducted a detailed assessment of current developments along the Belarus-Bryansk axis.

«That is precisely where the Russians are evaluating scenarios for additional strikes against Ukraine—targeting our northern regions, specifically the Chernihiv-Kyiv axis,» the head of state warned.

He assured that Ukrainian authorities are actively working to reinforce defenses in the area, noting that he has issued specific directives to both the military command and the Foreign Ministry regarding relations with Belarus.

According to the president, Ukraine is taking «preventative steps both toward Belarus and toward the specific Russian territories driving the threat.»

«Frankly, we are tired of this persistent threat hanging over Ukraine, of the constant risk that the Russians might drag Belarus into expanding this war at any moment. They must understand over there: there will be consequences for them, and they will be severe. As for Russian territory itself: we possess concrete capabilities to respond to any threat,» the president cautioned.