"Lukashenko Should Have No Illusions"
- 21.05.2026, 10:11
WSU's response will be instantaneous.
Belarus began joint exercises with Russia to practice the use of tactical nuclear weapons. Against this background, Russia deployed to Belarus MiG-31Ks - carriers of hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, which Russia is using to fire at Ukraine.
Why is Russia now conducting nuclear exercises in Belarus and deploying MiG-31Ks with Kinzhals? This is what Charter97.org asked Maxim Pleshko, candidate of philosophical sciences, head of the Ukrainian Center for Belarusian Communications:
- This is a classic combined blackmail and the Kremlin's attempt to create a controlled escalation. Firstly, it is critical for Putin to intimidate NATO countries against the backdrop of talk of increased Western military aid to Ukraine and expansion of the Alliance's presence on the eastern flank.
Secondly, the transfer of MiG-31K aircraft is an attempt to draw Ukrainian air defense forces away from the front line to protect the northern borders, because the time of approach of Kinzhal missiles from Belarusian airspace is reduced to a matter of minutes. Lukashenko is playing a purely technical role of the director of the Russian military bridgehead.
- What other threat from Belarus is the most urgent now for Ukraine and NATO countries?
- Apart from the constant missile and aviation risk, three factors remain critical.
The first is infrastructural complicity in air attacks: the deployment of Russian UAV control stations in Belarus to adjust strikes on Ukraine.
The second is hybrid attacks on NATO's borders: the continuation of migration pressure, as well as the tools in the Are direct strikes on military targets in Belarus possible if the fact of aggression from its territory is confirmed?
- Direct and extremely painful strikes are not just possible - they are the only logical and legitimate military response from Ukraine. The time of "gentlemen's agreements" and diplomatic curtsies towards Minsk has long passed.
The statements of the command of the Unmanned Systems Force are not empty threats, but a statement of fact: the technological capabilities of the AFU today make it possible to reach any military base, airfield or logistical hub on the territory of Belarus.
If Lukashenko once again allows support for Russian offensive intentions or direct strikes from Belarusian territory, the Ukrainian response will be immediate. The Belarusian dictator should have no illusions about "inviolability".