Ukraine war: Kyiv wary of border threat as Putin heads to Belarus ahead of Russian drills
Vladimir Putin heads to neighbouring Belarus on Monday for talks with Alexander Lukashenko, as Russian troops prepare to conduct exercises there amid nerves in Kyiv that the country could again serve as a base for a renewed assault on Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensyy has said Ukraine is ready for all possible defence scenarios against Moscow and its ally.
"Protecting our border, both with Russia and Belarus -- is our constant priority," Zelenskyy said after a meeting on Sunday of Ukraine's top military command. "We are preparing for all possible defence scenarios."
Officials in Kyiv have warned for months that neighbouring Belarus -- one of Russia's closest allies -- could join Russian forces and serve again as a launching pad for a new attack to form a second front in the months-long war.
Belarus allowed its territory to be used as a launchpad for Moscow's February 24 invasion of Ukraine, but has not joined the fighting directly. Lukashenko has said repeatedly he has no intention of sending his country's troops into Ukraine.
The Kremlin describes the Russian president's trip, his first to Belarus for three and a half years, as a broad "working visit".
Russian troops that were moved to Belarus in October will conduct battalion tactical exercises, the Russian Interfax news agency reported, citing the Russian defence ministry.
Kyiv and surrounding areas came under attack again early on Monday, with the Ukrainian capital's military administration saying nine Iranian-made Shahed drones were shot down in Kyiv's airspace.
"Air defence systems are at work in the region," Oleksiy Kuleba, governor of the Kyiv region said on Telegram. "Stay in shelters and safe places until the alarm is over. Take care of yourself and loved
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