Russia warned the West and Ukraine on Friday of "disastrous consequences" if Kyiv moved against close Russian ally Belarus, making clear it would intervene to defend a country where it has deployed tactical nuclear weapons.

Russia has warned the West and Ukraine of severe repercussions if Kyiv acts against Belarus, a close ally where Russia has deployed tactical nuclear weapons. Moscow expressed concerns about increased activity on the Belarusian border and indicated potential intervention to defend Belarus.

"I have always advocated freedom of speech, but the issue of Telegram is not a matter of freedom of speech, it is a matter of national security," Ukraine's military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov,

Ukraine has limited the use of Telegram for government, military, and security officials due to national security risks. The National Security and Defence Council stated that Russia might access personal data and messages on the app.