Ukraine has issued a bombshell threat to take military action against Belarus as soon as next weekend in a move that could significantly widen its ongoing war with Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky has given Vladimir Putin’s ally Alexander Lukashenko seven days to dismantle relay equipment on his territory which he alleges helps direct Russian drone strikes to kill and maim Ukrainian people.

The Ukrainian president said: "I think one week will be enough for him to do this. Why do I say one week? Because every day now, our civilians are dying and children are being injured because of this. If he does not do this, we will do it ourselves." Such a move by Ukraine would threaten to widen the war with Russia already seeking to pull Belarus into the conflict, which Lukashenko has so far resisted.

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