Zelensky threatens to strike Russia 3000 km from border and demands Lukashenko abandon relay stations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine intends to expand the range of drone attacks to over 3,000 kilometres from the Russian border. Zelensky also reiterated warnings to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, demanding that he remove Russian attack-directing radio relay stations from Belarus, or else Ukraine will do so itself.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave an interview to the TSN television channel on 21 June 2026, in which he stated that Ukraine is expanding the range of drone attacks to over 3,000 kilometres from the Russian border. According to Zelensky, Russians must feel that the war has returned to Russia, the country that initiated the aggression.

Drones to Tyumen and beyond

Zelensky cited an example that Ukraine's new Fire Point drones had already attacked the Tyumen oil refinery on 20 June, at a straight-line distance of approximately 2,070 kilometres from the border, although the drones' actual flight path was around 2,500 kilometres. Tyumen region officials confirmed the attack on the Tyumen (Antinskoye) oil refinery.

"The Russians strike us every day and we respond every day. With each day, we are increasing our counter-strikes," said Zelensky. He added that Ukraine knows the location of all Russian military plants, oil bases and gas storage facilities, and increasing the range of drones to 3,000 kilometres would mean that locations such as Krasnoyarsk would fall within striking distance.

Warning to Lukashenko

Alongside military escalation towards Russia, Zelensky reiterated threats to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. The Ukrainian leader is demanding that radio relay stations be removed from Belarus, which are used to improve the accuracy of Russian and Iranian drones in attacks on Ukrainian civilians.

Zelensky emphasised that before issuing public warnings, he had taken several private steps to ease the situation and sent messages through intelligence officials and military personnel: "Stop helping the Russians.The relay station issue is not a recent matter. This is a long-term process with casualties only on the Ukrainian side. These stations technically coordinate more precise strikes against the Ukrainian population," said Zelensky. He added clearly: if Lukashenko does not shut down these devices, Ukraine will do so itself.

Zelensky also warned Belarus about supplying fuel to the Russian army: "We are asking you to stop supplying fuel to the Russian army. There are no threats here, we are simply saying that we see it. The first steps are always private, the next steps are different."

Kronstadt prepares for drone attacks

On day 1,580 of the war, it also emerged that in the Russian city of Kronstadt, concrete shelters have been installed for local residents where they can take cover during drone attacks. White block shelters marked "Shelter" are located in four different places, including near the central Anchor Square by the naval cathedral. Officials called on residents to keep the shelters in good condition.