Ukrainian forces are reinforcing the Chernobyl exclusion zone to prepare for potential Belarusian incursions. This buildup follows warnings from President Volodymyr Zelensky that the neighboring nation may join Russia's invasioon.

The $135 million legacy of the 2022 Russian occupation

The current fortification efforts follow a period of intense instability in the region, most notably during the initial Russian invasion in February 2022. As reported by The Globe and Mail,Russian troops seized the Chernobyl zone on the first day of the war, holding approximately 300 nuclear plant staff hostage.

Upon their withdrawal five weeks later,inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency discovered that the occupation had caused significant damage to the facility . The report notes that Russian forces left behind $135 million worth of damaged equipment, including radiation dosimeters and essential computer systems.

Zelensky’s warning regarding Belarus’s 500 potential strike targets

President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued several warnings regarding the potential for Belarus to escalate the conflict. According to the report, Ukrainian intelligence services have identified the construction of new roads and artillery positions on the Belarusian side of the 1,000-kilometer border.

In response to these developments, the military's posture has become increasingly aggressive. Robert Brovdi, the commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, stated he has identified a list of 500 targets within Belarus that could be struck if the neighboring country moves to support the Russian invasion.

Defending the 12-kilometer gap near Reactor No. 4

Ukrainian soldiers from the 28th Chornobyl Regiment are actively digging trenches and installing anti-drone netting near the abandoned city of Pripyat. These defensive measures are critical because the Belarusian border sits just 12 kilometers from the site of Reactor No. 4, the epicenter of the 1986 nuclear disaster.

The proximity of the border to the decommissioned power plant raises significant fears that any combat in the area could trigger a new radiation leak. Soldiers like Nestor, a 30-year-old infantryman, and Karen, a drone operator, are currently patrolling the zone near disused Soviet-era radar stations to monitor for threats.

The uncertainty of Ukrainian troop deployments in the exclusion zone

While physical fortifications like tank positions are visible , the exact scale of the Ukrainian military response remains unverified. The report notes that the Ukrainian military has declined to comment on how many additional troops have been deployed to the northern border to counter the potential Belarusian threat.

It also remains unclear if Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko will act on his alliance with Moscow. While Lukashenko has publicly stated his soldiers would not become "cannon fodder" for Russia, the recent joint miliary exercises involving simulated tactical nuclear weapons have kept the region on high alert.