Sviatlana Cichanouskaja warns of Russian nuclear blackmail in Belarus

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Cichanouskaja has warned that Russia is using Belarusian territory to escalate tensions and provoke NATO neighbors, specifically Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia. She reported receiving sensitive information regarding the construction of new military infrastructure near the borders of Ukraine and the European Union, including military antennas.

Cichanouskaja specifically highlighted the presence of infrastructure for 'Oreshnik' missiles in Belarus, stating that the regime is using nuclear blackmail to threaten NATO. This follows recent reports of hybrid attacks in Europe, such as a drone incident at Leipzig Airport in Germany attributed to Russia.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas emphasized the need for NATO to develop capabilities to combat in the 'gray zone' to counter such hybrid provocations. He suggested that nations closest to Russia, such as the Baltic states and Poland, are best positioned to lead these defensive efforts.