Despite the end of the Russian-Belarusian “Zapad-2025” exercises, the border area with Belarus remains under close scrutiny by Ukraine’s Defense Forces, as the threat has not disappeared. This was stated on a live broadcast by State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andriy Demchenko.
“This direction will remain a security priority for us. The threat from Belarusian territory does not disappear. As of now, we do not record Russian forces or equipment that participated in these joint exercises in Belarus. They have withdrawn to Russia. However, since Belarus continues to support the terrorist state in its war against our country, vigilance is required. Thankfully, no activity is currently observed near our border on Belarusian territory,” Demchenko said.
He added that Ukraine’s task remains unchanged: to continue strengthening defensive capabilities directly along the border. This includes building fortifications along the entire frontier—from Volyn to Chernihiv regions—and laying mines in the most threatening directions to prevent any movement from Belarus.
Demchenko also noted that border crossings with Belarus are not being conducted, though Ukrainian citizens can return to Ukraine if needed.
“At the Belarusian border, crossings are not carried out, except for Ukrainian citizens who need to return home and choose this route to enter our country,” he said.
Also he noted that the number of Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory in Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions has significantly increased, while the activity of Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups attempting to infiltrate deeper into Ukraine has slightly decreased.
“The number of Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory within Chernihiv, Sumy and Kharkiv regions has risen sharply and, unfortunately, shows no sign of decreasing.
The enemy is using artillery, mortars, and — particularly in Sumy and Kharkiv regions — aviation as well. But the greatest number of strikes is delivered by drones,” Demchenko stated.
According to him, the fewest attacks are recorded in Chernihiv region, though they occur daily. In addition to targeting the positions of Ukrainian defenders, Russian forces are carrying out direct strikes on populated areas.
Demchenko also confirmed a decline in sabotage groups activity in Sumy region:
“Recently, the activity of sabotage and reconnaissance groups has not been observed as before. Yes, there are still occasional attempts to enter our territory, but not in the numbers we saw earlier. Instead, in the Sumy region, within the Khotyn and Yunakivka communities, the enemy continues to act with small assault groups, though their activity has also decreased due to the losses inflicted on them by Ukraine’s Defense Forces,” he said.
He added that in Kharkiv region the Russian forces remains active near Vovchansk, where small assault groups are trying to push deeper into Ukrainian territory.
“In Chernihiv region, the enemy is currently not showing activity — neither sabotage groups nor small assault groups — throwing their ‘meat’ into Ukraine,” Demchenko noted.
