France has refused to provide Ukraine with the means to allow its aircraft to fly over Belarus – Ukraine's neighbor and faithful Russian ally – whose regime has posed a constant threat to Kyiv since the start of the war.
Le Monde has learned the Ukrainian authorities asked Paris for a digital map of Belarus, essential for combat aircraft or drones to carry out low-altitude missions. When contacted, the Defense Ministry did not wish to comment.
These digital maps – called DTED (digital terrain elevation data) in pilots' jargon – detail the topography of an area but also provide data on obstacles, such as high-voltage power lines or wind turbines, and above all military equipment that could prove dangerous for an aircraft, such as radar equipment or anti-aircraft batteries. "It incorporates all the tactical data needed for very low altitude penetration, at night or with poor visibility," said a military source.
To justify its refusal, Paris argued that its support would be unwavering if it were solely to defend Ukrainian territory, but that participating in operations on foreign soil was out of the question. French military sources indicate that Ukraine had probably previously made this request to other members of the coalition supporting its efforts against Russian aggression. Kyiv would have reportedly only turned to France after having been refused.
According to an expert interviewed by Le Monde, these maps – which are drawn up using satellites and constantly updated – could help the Ukrainians configure drones to strike a site in Belarus, as they have already done on several occasions in Russia, notably in the Belgorod region. "The maps can be used to program a flight profile with the lowest possible altitude, to avoid being spotted," said a military source.
