Zelenskyy: Russia plans to deploy control stations for long-range drones in Belarus

Ukraine has obtained intelligence that Russia intends to deploy four ground-based control stations for long-range drones on Belarusian territory, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 23 March, citing a briefing from the head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (GUR), Oleh Ivashchenko. Zelenskyy disclosed the information in a post on his Telegram channel.

Drone infrastructure

According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine's intelligence points to Russian plans to expand its network of ground control stations for long-range unmanned aerial vehicles — not only across temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory, but also into Belarus itself, with four stations planned there specifically.

"We will respond accordingly," Zelenskyy wrote. "I have instructed Oleh Ivashchenko to inform partners and media representatives about the data we can make public."

The president did not specify timelines, locations within Belarus, or the drone systems the stations would support.

Belarus sanctions context

The disclosure comes against the backdrop of escalating pressure on Minsk. On 18 February, Ukraine applied a package of sanctions targeting self-proclaimed Belarusian president Aliaksandr Lukashenka.

In a separate interview with independent Belarusian outlet Zerkalo, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is developing a legal framework to extend that sanctions policy further.