Ukrainian officials said the country received heavy fire from neighboring Belarus, a Russian ally that has not taken part in the fighting.
Twenty rockets aimed at the village of Desna in the northern region of Chernigiv in “a massive bombardment,” according to the military command of northern Ukraine. There were no casualties on Saturday.
Belarus has provided logistical support to Moscow since the start of the February 24 invasion, according to a report.
Ukraine said it suffered a “massive bombing” on Saturday from Belarus, the day after announcing a withdrawal from the strategic city of Severodonetsk.
“Today’s strike is directly related to the Kremlin’s efforts to lure Belarus as a co-belligerent in the war in Ukraine,” the Ukrainian intelligence service said.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has continued to be a supporter of Vladimir Putin.SPUTNIK / AFP via Getty Images
The bombing came as Russian President Vladimir Putin planned to meet on Saturday with Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus, in St. Petersburg.