Ukraine has turned much of its 1,084-kilometer border with Belarus into a fortified zone, with mined ground, anti-drone netting, razor wire and concrete anti-tank barriers blocking former civilian crossings.
The buildup reflects Kyiv’s view that Belarus remains a potential launchpad for Russian attacks, even though Ukrainian officials say they see no current Russian troop concentration across the border.
Tensions rose earlier this month when Ukraine demanded Belarus shut communications relay stations that Russia had used to extend drone strikes on Ukrainian cities; Kyiv says Minsk complied and rhetoric has since cooled.
Around-the-clock patrols now use armored vehicles, drones and surveillance systems, while residents near the frontier say the defenses both revive memories of 2022 and offer reassurance against future threats.
Ukraine says more fortifications will remain a long-term priority because Belarus is Russia’s closest military ally, despite Alexander Lukashenko’s repeated insistence that Belarusian troops will not enter the war unless attacked.