Kyiv, Oct. 17 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday warned that Russia is actively preparing to step up aerial strikes against western Ukraine, using Belarusian territory as a launching pad for both drone corridors and ballistic missiles.

Responding to questions from reporters, in a post on X, Zelenskyy stated that Russian forces are already utilising Belarus to set up relay stations that extend the range and intensity of their drone strikes.

However, he emphasised that Moscow's strategy extends further, with Russian President Vladimir Putin seeking approval from Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko to deploy heavier weaponry, including ballistic missile systems, directly on Belarusian soil.

Addressing the threat of ...