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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 others to leave the country to continue their work. Maria moved to Kyiv and helped establish a new media outlet, Zerkalo. Maria is the author of Belarus Weekly, the largest English-language newsletter about her native country.

Articles

Belarus Weekly: Russia continues to use Belarus as a launchpad for its missile strikes, Kyiv continues to bolster its border defenses

Belarus Weekly: Russia continues to use Belarus as a launchpad for its missile strikes, Kyiv continues to bolster its border defenses

by Maria Yeryoma

This week marks the second anniversary of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko proclaiming himself president for the sixth consecutive term in an election deemed as neither free nor fair. Weeks after the fraudulent count, Lukashenko proceeded to brutally crush the nation’s attempt at popular upheaval, turning Belarus into a very

Belarusians kicked out of Ukraine en masse

Belarusians kicked out of Ukraine en masse

by Maria Yeryoma

As Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko sided with Russia in its attempt to curtail Ukrainian independence, those fleeing Lukashenko’s oppressive regime found themselves unwanted in Ukraine as well. Since February, Belarusians in Ukraine have been facing a set of financial and bureaucratic restrictions forcing them out of the country. The

Belarus Weekly: Ukraine’s Armed Forces release address to Belarusian counterparts urging them to stay away from Ukraine

Belarus Weekly: Ukraine’s Armed Forces release address to Belarusian counterparts urging them to stay away from Ukraine

by Maria Yeryoma

Thirty-two years ago, on July 27, the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic issued a declaration "On State Sovereignty,” approaching the country’s independence from the Soviet Union. The country’s Independence Day was celebrated on July 27 before strongman Alexander Lukashenko took power and canceled the holiday. The Kyiv Independent is

Does Belarus' military have the capacity to attack Ukraine?

Does Belarus' military have the capacity to attack Ukraine?

by Maria Yeryoma

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began simultaneously from four main directions, one of them involving Belarusian territory. Soon after, Belarusian troops were expected to join the war directly. However, four months into Russia’s war, Belarus' autocrat Alexander Lukashenko continues to hold out on sending his soldiers to war.

Belarus Weekly: Minsk continues to keep Ukraine on high alert by conducting military drills near border

Belarus Weekly: Minsk continues to keep Ukraine on high alert by conducting military drills near border

by Maria Yeryoma

Belarus continues to keep Ukraine on high alert by conducting military drills near the border. Government-sponsored disinformation is inciting panic, claiming that Belarus’ border is being breached by Ukrainian forces. Russian military vehicles are also seen withdrawing from the country. Belaruskali, Belarus’ main potash company, struggles to receive payments under

Belarus Weekly: Lukashenko continues to threaten to invade Ukraine, creates southern military command, conducts drills near border

Belarus Weekly: Lukashenko continues to threaten to invade Ukraine, creates southern military command, conducts drills near border

by Maria Yeryoma

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko continues to threaten to invade Ukraine, has created a separate southern military command, is conducting military exercises on the border with Ukraine, and plans to establish a new defensive “people’s militia.” Amendments to Belarus’ criminal code making attempted acts of terrorism punishable by death have

Belarus Weekly: With troops at the border, broadened use of death penalty, and attacks on books and culture, Belarus cements its dystopian image

Belarus Weekly: With troops at the border, broadened use of death penalty, and attacks on books and culture, Belarus cements its dystopian image

by Maria Yeryoma

Unable to overcome a domestic political crisis in the country caused by the fraudulent 2020 presidential elections, the regime of Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko turned his country of 9.5 million people into a grim place. Furthermore, Lukashenko’s regime, held afloat by Russian President Vladimir Putin, became a co-belligerent

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