Not a single Lukashenka-aligned media outlet or channel used the word "repeaters". What could this mean?

Belarusian Minister of Defense Viktor Khrenin. Screenshot from a video released on June 21.

The propaganda machine completely silenced Ukraine's main demand — the dismantling of equipment which, according to Kyiv, is used for missile and drone strikes on northern Ukraine. For three days, the word "repeaters" has not been mentioned once in any media outlet, nor in any of the thousands of propaganda channels.

Instead, propaganda makes unspecific accusations of attempts to "drag Belarus into the war" and, in its usual manner, incites general hatred towards Ukraine, European countries, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Such a silencing of specifics could be the result of discussions at the top about how to react. But it could also be a definitively chosen tactic. If Kyiv limits itself to destroying the repeaters on the border, Minsk will pretend that there were no strikes and no repeaters.

Thus, the "Belarusian Silovik" channel, linked to the repressive apparatus of Lukashenka's regime, declares that Ukraine will "take no action against him, except for stamping its foot and being annoyed by the lack of comment from the Belarusian leader. His further plan will be a statement from Zelenskyy himself or someone from his entourage, who will declare that 'Belarus removed the equipment after our warning'."

At the same time, the silence could also be a way to wait for the Ukrainians to strike first, to create a shock of surprise in the eyes of the population, an impression that Belarus "did not start first," and that the country became a victim of aggression.

"There are already certain, let's say, points that will be reported to the head of state. A decision will be made. But it will not be possible to draw Belarus into the conflict. We are for peace, prudence, for resolving all issues through diplomatic means," stated Alexander Volfovich, Chairman of the Security Council of the Republic of Belarus, regarding the investigation into the attack on a Belarusian bus in Russia's Bryansk region.

On Sunday, all state media in Belarus disseminated a statement by Minister of Defense Viktor Khrenin.

"Belarus's military strategy is aimed at guaranteeing the security of its citizens, and is not aimed at getting involved in armed conflict," the minister stated. "The Belarusian side limits itself to observing the situation and maintaining a minimally necessary contingent of troops at its borders," he said.

In 2022, a strike on Kyiv was launched from the territory of Belarus with logistical assistance from the Belarusian side and the support of Lukashenka's propaganda apparatus. Tens of thousands of people died in Ukraine, and several regions were occupied. After the failure of the blitzkrieg, Russian ground forces left Belarus, but the Belarusian military-industrial complex and propaganda machine continued to serve the Russian army.

The deployment of Russian nuclear weapons and "Oreshnik" in Belarus has been declared, which changed the balance of power in the region and will provoke a corresponding NATO response.

The Belarusian opposition has repeatedly warned that complicity in aggression would make the country a hostage to Moscow's imperial ambitions and an object of retaliatory strike.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called on June 19 to do everything to prevent Belarus from being drawn into the war.

Mikalai Statkevich called on the authorities not to shoot down Ukrainian drones if they are flying towards Russian repeaters.

However, if strikes are also carried out against oil refineries and "Azot", Lukashenka will not be able to pretend that "everything is fine, dear Marquise," Statkevich warns.

Kyiv's rhetoric began to change at the start of 2026. On June 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued an ultimatum. He demanded the dismantling of repeaters in border regions of Belarus, used for guiding Russian drones to targets in Ukraine, within a week. Otherwise, Zelenskyy warned, Ukraine itself would do it. He also pointed to fuel supplies from Belarus to Russia. On June 20 and 21, he reiterated his warning twice.

This ultimatum comes against the backdrop of a stalemate on the Donbas, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy fronts, and the intensification of Ukrainian attacks deep into Russian territory.

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