By John Q. Hosedrinker 
On July 12, 2025, Russia launched a combined air attack on Ukraine, utilizing Belarusian airspace for its operations. Residents near the border documented the movement of Russian drones originating from Belarus, with videos showing at least one Shahed kamikaze drone over the Slavgorod highway. This is not an isolated incident, as similar drone activity was observed in 2024. Notably, Belarusian fighter jets have also been involved in intercepting these drones, with one instance of a successful shoot-down occurring in the Yelsk district on August 29, 2024.
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Russia used Belarusian airspace for drone strikes on Ukraine, which, frankly, isn’t exactly a shocker, is it? Belarus, under Lukashenko, is essentially tied at the hip with Russia. You could say Belarus is a satellite state, or perhaps a vassal, but either way, the independence of Belarus is more a matter of semantics than reality. Its political fate is intrinsically linked to Putin’s, and that’s been apparent for quite a while.
Russia used Belarusian airspace for drone strikes on Ukraine, which leads to a pretty obvious, but important, question: Why hasn’t Ukraine directly targeted military bases within Belarus? If Belarus is actively allowing its territory to be used as a launchpad for attacks, isn’t that, by any reasonable measure, a legitimate act of war? It opens the door to military action, because by allowing Russia to operate on its soil, Belarus becomes complicit.
Russia used Belarusian airspace for drone strikes on Ukraine, and the potential ramifications are significant. Consider the possibility of Russia slowly building up a massive military presence in Belarus. What would stop them from quietly amassing troops and then launching a large-scale offensive, potentially overwhelming Ukrainian lines in a single move? It’s a scenario that could quickly escalate the conflict.
Russia used Belarusian airspace for drone strikes on Ukraine and, in my view, this really boils down to a simple but important point: Belarus is culpable. It’s enabling the aggression, giving Russia a staging ground and a strategic advantage. The question that comes to mind is, how would Russia react if, hypothetically, a NATO country was allowing Ukraine to launch attacks into Russia from their territory? The response would, I suspect, be swift and decisive.
Russia used Belarusian airspace for drone strikes on Ukraine, and while it makes sense why Ukraine wouldn’t want to open a new front, it is a gamble that is still being played. Opening a new front could be disastrous for Ukraine.
Russia used Belarusian airspace for drone strikes on Ukraine, and a key point here is the delicate balancing act Lukashenko is performing. He is, at the very least, providing support to Putin, but is trying to stay out of open and full-blown war. It’s a tightrope walk, trying to be Putin’s ally without fully committing Belarus to the conflict.
Russia used Belarusian airspace for drone strikes on Ukraine, which creates a strange sort of status quo. The situation as it stands appears to be beneficial for both Lukashenko and Zelensky. As mentioned, expanding the war into Belarus could be a strategic disaster for Ukraine, so it makes sense that they are not striking Belarusian territory. In return, Belarus seems to be refraining from directly attacking Ukraine.
Russia used Belarusian airspace for drone strikes on Ukraine, and this situation highlights another important factor: Ukraine likely wants to avoid dragging Belarus fully into the war. Attacking bases in Belarus could easily be the catalyst that pushes Lukashenko into a full-blown military commitment. That’s a development that both Lukashenko and Zelensky want to avoid.
Russia used Belarusian airspace for drone strikes on Ukraine, but the ability to launch surprise attacks is complicated. It’s not easy to secretly amass large forces and launch an unexpected offensive in today’s world. Intelligence gathering, satellite imagery, and the sheer logistics of moving large numbers of troops make it a challenging endeavor.
Russia used Belarusian airspace for drone strikes on Ukraine, and the fact is undeniable: Russia invaded Ukraine from Belarus in 2022. The invasion wasn’t just about launching strikes; it involved boots on the ground, moving troops and equipment, and crossing the border into Ukrainian territory. It was a blatant violation of Ukrainian sovereignty, facilitated by Belarus.
Russia used Belarusian airspace for drone strikes on Ukraine, and after the invasion, Russia essentially pillaged the Belarusian military’s relatively modest stockpile. So, not only did Belarus provide the launchpad for the initial attack, but its resources were also plundered to support Russia’s war effort. A carefully crafted geopolitical strategy, indeed.
Russia used Belarusian airspace for drone strikes on Ukraine, and it’s worth remembering that Lukashenko’s grip on power is not that strong. He relies heavily on Putin’s support to maintain his position. Without Putin, his political survival would be in serious doubt. That dependence creates a situation where Belarus’s actions are largely dictated by Russia’s interests.