Ukraine Fortifies Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Against Possible Invasion via Belarus

A Der Spiegel investigation, reported August 10, 2026, revealed that Ukrainian forces have spent recent months digging trenches and defensive positions inside the Chernobyl exclusion zone, roughly 15 km from the Belarusian border. Construction equipment has excavated trenches and pits in the sandy soil, with excavated earth piled into mounds at road intersections concealing newly built underground defensive tunnels timbered with wood from the surrounding pine forests. Checkpoints have been established every few kilometers along zone roads, and engineers have strung anti-drone nets — plastic mesh stretched between metal poles — over roadways to snag incoming FPV drones. The preparations reflect Ukrainian concern that Russia could again use Belarusian territory to launch an advance toward Kyiv, as it did in the opening weeks of the February 2022 invasion, when Russian troops occupied Chernobyl and dug trenches in the highly contaminated Red Forest. Officials have not announced any change to the zone's radiological monitoring or evacuation status as a result of the works.