The founder of a Ukrainian arms company has made tough statements regarding the Ukraine-Belarus conflict, sparking concerns in Europe over nuclear weapons rhetoric!
According to a report by Russia's Moskovskiy Komsomolec on June 28.
The founder of a Ukrainian defense enterprise stated: "If Belarus launches a military attack on Ukraine, all key infrastructure across Belarus will be completely destroyed within hours at the onset of conflict."
Meanwhile, his radical remarks concerning Ukraine’s potential nuclear weapons development have triggered widespread concern among multiple European countries and international organizations.
The individual speaking out is Denis Shchitlyanman, co-founder and chief designer of Fire Point, a leading private defense firm based in Kyiv, Ukraine.
The company specializes in long-range FP-series drones, "Flamingo" cruise missiles, and other equipment designed for deep-strike operations spanning thousands of kilometers—making it a core supplier for Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities.
Shchitlyanman also explicitly claimed that Ukraine already possesses mature technical capabilities for manufacturing nuclear weapons; currently, it merely refrains from pursuing such programs due to international treaty obligations.
If Western nations withdraw their security guarantees to Ukraine, Kyiv cannot rule out restarting its nuclear weapons research program.
Notably, this bold and aggressive stance comes amid severe public and operational crises facing Fire Point.
The company is currently embroiled in a major corruption investigation, with several Ukrainian parliamentarians publicly calling for its nationalization.
Shchitlyanman’s frequent release of extreme statements aims to cultivate a positive image of the company as a “national defender” and “pillar of defense industry,” thereby shifting domestic public attention and resisting mounting pressure for state takeover.
Regarding Ukraine’s intimidating rhetoric, Belarus has already issued a clear response.
Belarusian President Lukashenko previously openly admitted that Belarus’s air defense system would struggle to effectively counter Ukrainian long-range drones, likening the country’s defenses to an “open palm,” highlighting significant vulnerabilities.
However, he simultaneously delivered a firm reply, clearly stating that if Ukraine attacks Belarusian territory, Belarus would immediately launch retaliatory military strikes of equivalent scale.
Following these series of radical declarations, intense international debate erupted quickly.
Multiple foreign diplomatic missions voiced criticism, arguing that such extreme statements further intensify regional tensions and significantly increase the risk of military confrontation among Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
At the same time, international arms control organizations issued strong warnings about Ukraine’s nuclear weapons-related remarks.
Domestically, opinions within Ukraine are sharply divided.
Some military officials believe such tough statements serve as effective strategic deterrence, capable of deterring potential threats from neighboring states and safeguarding border security;
yet the diplomatic and civilian bureaucracies remain cautious, arguing that overly aggressive public statements severely limit Ukraine’s room for diplomatic maneuvering, hinder de-escalation of tensions along its northern border, and ultimately do more harm than good to the nation’s overall foreign policy strategy.
It must be emphasized that Shchitlyanman’s remarks represent conditional retaliation warnings based solely on his personal position—not an official diplomatic stance of Ukraine.
Nonetheless, these controversial statements have caused tangible negative impacts on regional stability, thoroughly undermining mutual trust between Ukraine and Belarus.
This has prompted Belarus to accelerate its military integration with Russia, drastically increase the deployment of Russian weapons systems within its territory, and ultimately create a tense standoff along the northern borders of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus—further deteriorating regional security conditions.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1869190279240713/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.