Belarus threatens to use “its full potential” if Ukraine crosses the border

Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Sekreta has said that Minsk will use “its full potential” if Ukrainian forces cross the Belarusian border without permission or in an “aggressive” manner.

The statement was made in an interview with Russia’s RT television channel on June 29.

“If the border is crossed without permission or, so to speak, aggressively, we will respond using our full potential,” Sekreta said. He added that any potential attack on Belarus would also be considered in the context of obligations under the Union State treaty with Russia.

Tensions Rising Along the Belarus–Ukraine Border

The Belarusian diplomat’s statement comes amid growing mutual accusations and increased military activity along the more than 1,000-kilometre border.

On June 25, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that, according to Ukrainian foreign intelligence, Belarus was completing the construction of military infrastructure near the border. This reportedly includes roads, as well as facilities for storing ammunition, fuel and lubricants. Kyiv believes these sites could be used to expand Russian military activity from Belarusian territory.

Earlier, Zelenskyy called for relay stations in Belarusian border areas to be shut down, claiming they could have been used by Russia to direct drone strikes against Ukrainian territory. The Ukrainian president later said that the stations had been disabled, but stressed that the construction of other military infrastructure was continuing.

Ukraine Strengthens Its Northern Border

Amid possible threats from the north, Ukraine continues to reinforce its defences along the border with Belarus. In the Chernihiv region, engineers and border guards are building a multi-layered line of defence with wire barriers, trenches and anti-tank concrete obstacles.

Ukrainian authorities say they have not observed an immediate concentration of Belarusian troops or military equipment near the border. However, Kyiv warns that Russia may attempt to draw Belarus further into the war and use its territory as an additional direction of pressure against Ukraine.

Sekreta’s statement highlights the continuing rise in tensions along Ukraine’s northern border, although there have been no publicly recorded signs that Belarus is preparing for an imminent offensive.