Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a stark warning, saying that Kyiv believes Russia is preparing to once again draw its ally Belarus into the ongoing conflict.

Citing an intelligence report from Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Mr Zelensky revealed concerns over “road construction in areas leading to Ukraine and the establishment of artillery positions… in the Belarusian border area”.

He added: “We believe that Russia will once again try to involve Belarus in its war.”

In response, Ukraine has reportedly issued instructions to warn the Belarusian leadership of “Ukraine’s readiness to defend its land and independence”.

Mr Zelensky also suggested that intelligence indicates Russia is “attempting … to carry out a regrouping of forces – most likely to compensate for a shortage of personnel”, which he believes explains the increased military activity within Belarus.

He did not provide further evidence.

Belarus, led by Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, allowed its territory – which borders Nato members Poland, Lithuania and Latvia – to be used as a staging ground for part of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

While Mr Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994, has publicly said he has no intention of committing Belarusian troops to the war, his country has agreed to host Russian tactical nuclear weapons and hypersonic Oreshnik missiles.

Mr Lukashenko remains under Western sanctions due to his support for the war and allegations of human rights abuses.

However, the United States has recently sought to improve relations, securing the release of 250 detainees, whom the West considers political prisoners, in March.

The US agreed to lift some sanctions but explicitly warned the Belarusian leadership against facilitating sanctions evasion or further supporting the war in Ukraine.