President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced a new military threat from the territory of Belarus. In an interview with the Belarusian independent publication ‘Zerkalo’ on February 23, 2026, he commented in detail on the preparation of joint exercises by Minsk and Moscow, the deployment of infrastructure for drone strikes, and the possible appearance of ‘Oreshnik’ missile systems.
According to him, what is happening cannot be perceived as formal maneuvers. It is about actions that once became a prologue to a full-scale invasion.
Exercises in Belarus: repetition of the 2022 scenario
“When they were very massive — the offensive began”
Zelensky reminded that the concentration of Russian troops in Belarus under the pretext of exercises already preceded the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“I know that they are talking about military exercises together with the Russian Federation on the territory of Belarus. Again. We will see how large they will be. But when they were very massive, the offensive on the territory of Ukraine began,” the president said.
According to him, Kyiv will closely monitor the scale of future maneuvers, as it is the size and logistics that determine the real level of threat.
“All this is definitely a big risk for Ukraine. And, I believe, big risks for Belarusians,” he emphasized.
“Oreshnik” and relays for “Shaheds”
“Now it definitely depends on Lukashenko”
Zelensky stated that Russia is preparing sites for the deployment of ‘Oreshnik’ missiles on the territory of Belarus, and these steps are fully coordinated with Alexander Lukashenko.
“Now Belarus definitely knows what is happening on its territory. It can no longer be said, as Lukashenko told me earlier after the start of the full-scale invasion, that missiles flew, and they have been standing here for a long time, and we do not control this,” he noted.
The president added that it is not about ‘old stories’, but about new steps that depend on Minsk’s decisions.
“The next step is the preparation of a site for the deployment of ‘Oreshnik’ on the territory of Belarus. Now it definitely depends on him,” Zelensky said.
Support for drone attacks
Separately, the president mentioned the use of Belarusian territory for technical support of drone strikes.
“Relays of modern ‘Shahed’ drones — this is already new equipment that has appeared on the territory of Belarus and helps to strike our people and energy. It is thanks to these relays that adjustments are made,” he stated.
According to Zelensky, Ukraine has evidence — maps, video materials, and recorded flight routes.
Sanctions and legal responsibility
“Sanctions are the first step”
Zelensky reported that Ukraine intends to expand its sanctions policy against Lukashenko and his entourage.
“Sanctions against Lukashenko are the first step. We will develop this and are now working on the legal basis for continuing the sanctions policy. This will concern not only Lukashenko but also his entourage,” he emphasized.
The president also stated that Kyiv intends to discuss the Belarusian issue with the American side.
“We will engage in this track and discuss with the Americans that this cannot be. He supports the Russian regime not only geopolitically but supports it with war and helps to kill civilians,” Zelensky said.
Political prisoners and exchanges
The president reported that about 7,000 Ukrainians are in Russian prisons. He noted that the conditions of detention in Russia and Belarus, in his assessment, are comparable.
“I do not believe that Russian prisons are any different from Belarusian prisons. These are identical regimes, with hatred towards people,” he stated.
Zelensky emphasized that the release of prisoners requires complex negotiations.
“It is not easy to release people. You always need to exchange someone for someone. To release Belarusians, you need to find what to exchange for,” the president noted.
Regional context
Zelensky believes that what is happening poses a threat not only to Ukraine but to all of Europe.
“Lukashenko is making a big mistake. They are putting on a show to scare Europe. But he is playing in vain because after these steps, without asking Lukashenko, the Russians will bring ‘Oreshnik’ to the territory of Belarus,” he stated.
In analytical materials NANews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency, such statements are considered a warning about the expansion of Russian military infrastructure in the western direction.
According to Kyiv’s assessment, military activity on Belarusian territory is not an episode but an element of Moscow’s strategic line. Ukraine continues to monitor the situation and is preparing diplomatic and legal responses to the actions of Minsk and Moscow.