Belarus Opposition Warns Military Build-Up Near Ukraine Remains a Constant Threat

June 27, 2026

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has warned that Belarus continues to expand military infrastructure and logistics facilities along its border with Ukraine, saying the growing military presence remains a serious security concern despite doubts that Belarusian troops would directly enter the war.

Speaking to Ukrainian media outlet Novyny.LIVE, Tsikhanouskaya accused Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko of placing Russia's interests above those of the Belarusian people. She said Lukashenko remains willing to provide Belarusian territory for Russian military operations against Ukraine whenever requested.

According to Tsikhanouskaya, the ongoing construction of military roads, fuel depots, ammunition storage sites, and other strategic facilities keeps constant pressure on Ukraine and its Western allies, even if a new offensive is not imminent. Her remarks come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also warned that Belarus is expanding military infrastructure near the shared border under Russian influence.

Despite the military build-up, Tsikhanouskaya argued that Belarusian soldiers are unlikely to support a direct invasion of Ukraine. She said many members of the Belarusian armed forces do not share anti-Ukrainian or imperial ambitions and warned that ordering them into combat could become a major political mistake for Lukashenko.

She suggested that such a decision could threaten Lukashenko's grip on power, arguing that fighting well-equipped Ukrainian forces would be very different from suppressing domestic protests. According to her, some soldiers could even refuse orders or turn against the Belarusian leadership.

Tsikhanouskaya also accused Lukashenko of profiting from Russia's war while lacking genuine military independence, insisting that Belarus has become increasingly dependent on Moscow's strategic decisions.

The latest comments come as tensions continue to rise along Ukraine's northern border, with Kyiv closely monitoring Belarusian military activity while reinforcing its own border defenses amid concerns over possible future Russian operations launched from Belarusian territory.