ALONG THE UKRAINE-BELARUS BORDER (AP) — It has been more than four years since Russia used Belarus as a staging ground to launch its assault on Kyiv, yet Ukraine continues to pour resources into hardening the border it shares with Russia’s closest ally. What was once a thriving crossing point between neighboring countries has become a silent, mine-covered corridor sealed off from the public.
The 1,084-kilometer (673-mile) border zone is heavily layered with defenses. Roads running through the area are shielded for long stretches by netting designed to intercept drones. Rows of razor wire and concrete anti-tank barriers — commonly called “dragon’s teeth” — define much of the surrounding terrain.
The Associated Press traveled to sections of the border in northern Ukraine earlier this month, a visit that came on the heels of rising tensions between the two nations. Ukraine had pushed Belarus to shut down communications relay stations that Russia had set up on Belarusian soil, stations used to extend the reach of Russian drones targeting Ukrainian cities.
Belarus complied with the demand, according to Ukrainian officials, and the heated rhetoric between the two governments has since cooled. While Ukrainian officials report no signs of Russian troops massing in Belarus, they remain committed to reinforcing the border as a precaution against any future threat.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has stated on multiple occasions that he has no intention of sending his forces into the conflict unless Belarus itself comes under attack. Even so, residents who live near the border say the fear of Belarus becoming more directly involved in Russia’s war has not gone away.
For those living in the area, the sprawling network of fortifications serves a dual purpose — it recalls the frightening early days of the full-scale invasion while also offering some comfort that Ukraine is actively preparing for whatever may come next.
Ukrainian border guards maintain a continuous presence in the area, conducting patrols using armored vehicles, drones, and various surveillance technologies. Officials have made clear that expanding and maintaining these defenses will be an ongoing priority, citing Belarus’s position as Russia’s most important military partner.
