Ukraine is bracing for a possible expansion of Russian advance through Belarus and other northern routes, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s military and intelligence services have identified five possible Russian plans aimed at widening the conflict in northern Ukraine, including potential advances along routes that could threaten the Chernihiv–Kyiv corridor, a northern axis running from the Belarus border area toward Kyiv.
He added that intelligence assessments also indicate possible Russian preparations for additional mobilization efforts involving as many as “plus 100,000 people.”
I held a Staff meeting. We analyzed in detail the available data from our intelligence agencies on Russia’s planning of offensive operations in the Chernihiv-Kyiv direction. We are preparing responses to every possible course of enemy action – if the Russians do indeed dare to…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 20, 2026
“We are preparing responses for each possible option of the enemy’s actions if the Russians really dare to expand their aggression. Our forces in the [Chernihiv–Kyiv corridor] will be increased,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
Zelenskyy also said he had already instructed Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry “to prepare additional measures of diplomatic influence regarding Belarus.”
The Ukrainian president said the country is also preparing to intensify long-range strikes against Russian military and logistical targets in an effort to reduce Moscow’s capacity to expand the war.
“Ukraine will certainly defend itself, and right now our task is to strengthen our state so that none of Russia’s five scenarios for expanding the war through northern Ukraine succeeds,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy made the announcement days after Belarus announced that it has launched joint military drills with Russia to practice the use of nuclear weapons that Moscow has deployed on its territory.
In December 2025, Russia announced the deployment of its nuclear-capable hypersonic Oreshnik missile system in Belarus, a move aimed at strengthening Moscow’s ability to strike targets across Europe in the event of war.
Belarus shares borders with Russia, Ukraine and three NATO members: Poland, Latvia and Lithuania, making it a key strategic location for Moscow’s military posture in the region.
“During the exercise, in cooperation with the Russian side, it is planned to practice the delivery of nuclear weapons and preparations for their use,” the Belarusian Defense Ministry said. It added that the drills will focus on training forces to “perform combat tasks from unprepared areas across the entire territory of the Republic of Belarus.”
Officials in Minsk said the maneuvers were planned in advance and are not directed against any countries.
Ukraine strongly condemned the drills, saying the Kremlin is “de facto legitimizing the proliferation of nuclear weapons worldwide.”
“Such actions must face unequivocal and resolute condemnation from all states that respect the nuclear non-proliferation regime,” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
