Ukraine is still fortifying its border with Belarus years after Russia invaded from there
Hanna Arhirova, Dmytro Zhyhinas And Efrem Lukatsky
Published: July 25, 2026 at 12:02 AM
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Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Ukrainian border guards patrol Ukraine-Belarus border in an undisclosed location in Ukraine Tuesday, July 7, 2026. /Efrem Lukatsky)
More than four years after Russia launched its assault on Kyiv from Belarus, Ukraine is still fortifying the border it shares with Moscow’s ally. What was once a busy crossing between the two countries is now a quiet, mine-laden stretch of land closed off to civilians
Roads near the 1,084-kilometer-long (673-mile-long) border are covered for long distances by anti-drone netting. The surrounding landscape is dominated by rows of razor wire and concrete anti-tank barriers known as “dragon’s teeth.”
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The Associated Press visited parts of the border in northern Ukraine earlier this month, following a rise in tensions between the two countries; Ukraine demanded that Belarus shut down communications relay stations Russia had installed to boost the range of its drones attacking Ukrainian cities
Belarus obliged and rhetoric between the two governments has eased since then. While Ukrainian officials say they see no signs of a Russian troop buildup in Belarus, they are determined to strengthen their border against any possible threat
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly said he has no plans for his troops to enter the war unless his country is attacked. Still, people living near the border say the possibility of Belarus becoming more involved in Russia’s war remains a
For many residents, the extensive defenses are both a reminder of the early days of the war and aarios
Ukrainian border guards patrol the area around the clock using armored vehicles, drones and other surveillance systems. Ukrainian officials say the addition of more defenses will remain a priority well into the future because Belarus is Russia’s closest military ally
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Associated Press journalist Volodymyr Yurchuk in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission
