Zelensky: Ukraine to strengthen Kyiv–Chernihiv direction amid threat of Belarus involvement

This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelensky in his evening address, Ukrinform reports.

“We clearly understand what is being discussed between Russia and the leadership of Belarus. The Russians have recently stepped up their activity – I mean, in talks with Aleksandr Lukashenko. They want to draw Belarus much deeper into the war and launch additional aggressive operations precisely from Belarusian territory – either against our Chernihiv-Kyiv direction in Ukraine or against one of the NATO countries bordering Belarus,” the Ukrainian President said.

Zelensky noted that he had instructed Ukraine’s defense and security forces to prepare a response plan, which will soon be reviewed and approved by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff.

“We will strengthen the Chernihiv–Kyiv direction,” Zelenskyy emphasized.

According to him, Ukraine’s international partners have also been informed about the situation and Moscow’s attempts to influence Minsk.

Zelensky also said that Ukraine possesses intercepted Russian documents outlining targets for strikes in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

“We also have Russian documents outlining targets for strikes in Kyiv, strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities – political and military facilities where army leadership and government officials may be located, including here on Bankova Street. They have been nursing this plan for a long time, and now, after Iran, have become active again – trying to locate us and track our movements. The same applies to other members of the Ukrainian leadership, intelligence agencies, and our special services,” the President said.

He stressed that “some in Moscow have still failed to understand that Ukrainians will never surrender their independence. One way or another – whether on Bankova or without Bankova – we will not surrender our land, our sovereignty, or our state.”

As previously reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had intensified contacts with Alexander Lukashenko in an effort to draw Belarus into new aggressive operations, including possible attacks from Belarusian territory toward Chernihiv and Kyiv, or against a NATO country.