Ukraine Tightens Northern Security Near Belarus Border
Ukraine’s SBU says security has been tightened near the Belarus border, with checks, inspections and movement limits possible across northern regions.
The Security Service of Ukraine said it has tightened security measures in the north of the country near the border with Belarus. The steps are being carried out jointly with units of the defence forces.
The operation is being coordinated by the Anti-Terrorist Centre under the SBU. It also involves the National Police, units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the National Guard and Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service.
According to the SBU’s Telegram channel, the measures include large-scale preventive actions focused on counterintelligence and counter-sabotage protection in the Chernigov, Kiev, Zhitomir, Volyn and Rovno regions.
The agency said the main goal is to prevent sabotage activity and suppress possible reconnaissance and subversive operations. Under the enhanced security regime, authorities may check residents in northern regions, inspect vehicles and examine premises. Temporary restrictions on movement may also be introduced in some settlements.
On May 15, Vladimir Zelensky said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces could reinforce their grouping in the Chernigov-Kiev direction near the border with Belarus. He added that a response plan for this area would be approved at a Stavka meeting.