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Maria Yeryoma contributing author

Maria Yeryoma is a Belarusian media manager and a contributing author at the Kyiv Independent. She recently led the commercial "special projects" at TUT.BY — the biggest independent online media in the country. In May 2021, TUT.BY was raided by Belarus authorities leaving 15 employees in custody and forcing the team to leave the country to continue their work. Maria moved to Kyiv and helped establishing a new media outlet — Zerkalo.

Articles

Belarus Weekly: Lukashenko visits Iran, Russian aircraft explosion spurs mass arrests across Belarus

Belarus Weekly: Lukashenko visits Iran, Russian aircraft explosion spurs mass arrests across Belarus

by Maria Yeryoma

Belarus’ dictator Alexander Lukashenko visits fellow Russian ally Iran to discuss the countries’ bilateral relations and look into ways to potentially bypass growing international sanctions. In Belarus, Lukashenko signed a law introducing the death penalty as punishment for civil servants and military personnel convicted of high treason. Belarusian authorities conducted

Belarus Weekly: Opposition leader Tsikhanouskaya sentenced to 15 years in prison in absentia

Belarus Weekly: Opposition leader Tsikhanouskaya sentenced to 15 years in prison in absentia

by Maria Yeryoma

As tensions mount between Kyiv and Minsk amid Russia's war, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko claims that the CIA and the SBU were behind the Machulishchy airfield explosion. Ukraine rejects involvement. Two high-profile trials come to a close, resulting in lengthy prison sentences for Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Ales Bialiatski,

Belarus Weekly: Lukashenko visits China as tensions mount

Belarus Weekly: Lukashenko visits China as tensions mount

by Maria Yeryoma

Two explosions rocked Machulishchy airfield near Minsk on Feb. 26, destroying a Russian A-50 warning and control aircraft. Belarus ups border security after explosions. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko pays a state visit to Beijing, claiming that “not a single issue in the world can be resolved without China.” Prosecutors order

Belarus Weekly: Minsk, Moscow plummet in latest Democracy Index

Belarus Weekly: Minsk, Moscow plummet in latest Democracy Index

by Maria Yeryoma

Belarus takes an unsurprising hit to its Democracy Index, published by The Economist Group, placing 153rd out of 167 countries. Russian military aircraft remain in Belarus after finishing announced joint flight exercises in what is likely an effort by Moscow to bolster its forces in the country. Belarus dictator Alexander

Belarus Weekly: Direct Belarusian involvement in Russia’s war would spark ‘massive disobedience,’ Tsikhanouskaya says

Belarus Weekly: Direct Belarusian involvement in Russia’s war would spark ‘massive disobedience,’ Tsikhanouskaya says

by Maria Yeryoma

Subscribe to the Newsletter Belarus Weekly Join us Joint Russian-Belarusian flight exercises begin in Belarus. The Institute for the Study of War notes that Moscow will likely deploy additional forces to Belarus. Meanwhile, exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s in absentia trial begins in Minsk. She continues to speak out

Belarus Weekly: Nobel Peace Prize laureate on trial in Belarus

Belarus Weekly: Nobel Peace Prize laureate on trial in Belarus

by Maria Yeryoma

Belarus prepares to host a joint military aviation exercise with Russia as echelons of Moscow’s military personnel continue to move into the country. Belarus claims that such efforts are “not directed against third parties.” Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko signed an amendment to the country’s citizenship law, allowing the

Belarus in 2022: War, death, and a very grim place

Belarus in 2022: War, death, and a very grim place

by Teah Pelechaty, Maria Yeryoma

Belarus entered 2022 gobbled in its ongoing political crisis and finished it as an accomplice in an unprovoked and brutal Russian aggression toward Ukraine. Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko conceded his country's sovereignty to Russia, becoming entirely reliant on President Vladimir Putin's will. Belarus reached technical default on its foreign debt

With the world looking away, Russia quietly took control over Belarus

With the world looking away, Russia quietly took control over Belarus

by Maria Yeryoma

Talks of dictator Alexander Lukashenko's Belarus becoming Russia's vassal gained ground in 2020 when the regime violently crushed all forms of descent, with Moscow's full backing. Two years later, Lukashenko's Belarus is barely independent from the Kremlin. The Belarusian economy is dependent on Russia's direct and indirect financial contributions, the

Belarus Weekly: Russia re-deploys MiG-31K supersonic aircraft to Belarus

Belarus Weekly: Russia re-deploys MiG-31K supersonic aircraft to Belarus

by Maria Yeryoma

Following a visit by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu last week, Belarus conducted a sudden inspection of troops' and continues to engage in covert mobilization. Russia deploys additional military aircraft to Belarus, including those capable of carrying Kinzhal ballistic missiles. As Belarus launches the first in absentia trials against several

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