Russia wants to launch additional aggressive operations specifically from the territory of Belarus – either against our Chernihiv-Kyiv direction. The Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine have been tasked with preparing a response plan; we will strengthen the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction. This was announced by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his evening video address, UNN reports.
Details
According to the President, there is an understanding of what is being discussed between Russia and the leadership of Belarus.
There is now greater activity from the Russians – I mean in conversation with Alexander Lukashenko. They want to involve Belarus much more in the war and launch additional aggressive operations specifically from the territory of Belarus – either against our Chernihiv-Kyiv direction or against one of the NATO countries adjacent to Belarus. Of course, we will continue to defend Ukraine, to protect our people, Ukrainians – I have instructed our Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine to prepare a response plan, and we will review and approve it at the Staff meeting. We will strengthen the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction
According to the Head of State, partners also know what is happening and what Belarus is being pressured into.
We also have Russian documents proposing targets for strikes on Kyiv, strikes on Kyiv and our other cities – on political and military facilities where the army leadership, the government, and here – on Bankova might be. They have been harboring this plan for a long time – now, after Iran, they have become active again – searching for where we are, where we frequent. The same applies to other people from the Ukrainian leadership, from intelligence, our special services. Some there in Moscow still haven't understood that Ukrainians will never surrender their independence, and in any case – with Bankova or without Bankova – we will not surrender our land, our sovereignty, our state
As a reminder
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the military, intelligence, and the SBU, where the focus was on three issues - "further long-range sanctions," Russia's attempts to involve Belarus more in the war - "Russia is considering operational plans in directions south and north of the territory of Belarus – either against the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction in Ukraine or against one of the NATO countries," as well as Russia's plans for new strikes, "specifically, as they indicate, on 'decision-making centers'."