In 2024, Belarus, under dictator Alexander Lukashenko, continued to descend into totalitarianism, imprisoning people at will and providing full-fledged support to Russia in its brutal all-out war. Lukashenko signed a number of bilateral treaties with Russia's Vladimir Putin, helping him facilitate the major East-West prisoner swap that saw spies and
The EU imposes new sanctions on Belarusian officials and companies supporting the regime of Alexander Lukashenko. In response to Belarus and Russia’s artificial migration crisis, the EU pledged 170 million euros for border security and backed Poland’s plan to suspend the right to asylum. Belarus labels exiled National
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko sign a security pact, announcing the potential deployment of Russian Oreshnik missiles in Belarus. Lukashenko frees 29 more political prisoners amid an ongoing pre-election civil society clampdown. Exiled Belarusian activists to face a record 17 in absentia charges for aiding
Russian troops operated a torture chamber on Belarusian state-owned property in 2022, journalistic investigation reveals. Over 150 Russian drones flew into Belarusian airspace in November — three times the previous monthly record of incursions. The European Parliament urges stronger sanctions on Belarus, Iran, and North Korea for aiding Russia’s war
Thirty-eight Russian combat drones enter Belarus on Nov. 24-25, marking the most significant overnight incursion so far and nearing the previous monthly record. Alexander Lukashenko threatens to shut down the internet in Belarus should protests occur during the 2025 presidential election. A Belarusian who fought on behalf of Ukraine as
Belarus’ authorities are on full alert ahead of upcoming presidential elections in January 2025, new wave of police raids target relatives of political prisoners. Belarusian police conduct counter-protest drills to prevent “manifestations of extremism and terrorism” during the election campaign. Russia’s military doctrine was updated, covering Belarus with a
Two of Alexander Lukashenko’s “challengers” in upcoming 2025 presidential elections drop out before race even starts, pledge support for Belarusian dictator. Lukashenko pardons 31 political prisoners as pre-election police raids intensify. Lukashenko allows the family to visit Maria Kalesnikava in jail, ending over 600 days of holding the prominent
Belarus concludes registration for the 2025 presidential election, allowing six token candidates to “challenge” dictator Alexander Lukashenko at the ballot. Ahead of the upcoming election, Belarusian law enforcers conduct sweeping raids, human rights group Viasna reports. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto argues against sanctions, engages with Belarus, Russia at Eurasian
Belarus rushes forward with a presidential election, seeking to hand Alexander Lukashenko a victory six months ahead of the official term's end. In an interview, Lukashenko says North Korean troops fighting against Ukraine would be an “escalation.” Belarus and Russia to hold major joint military drills in September 2025. Belarus
Belarus schedules next presidential election for January 2025. Belarus reportedly shoots down the second Russian drone amid ongoing incursions into its airspace. The EU supports Poland’s migration plan, including suspended right to asylum amid the continued artificial migration crisis at the Belarus border. Subscribe to the Newsletter Belarus Weekly
The Polish government approves Donald Tusk's controversial migration strategy, suggesting to temporarily suspend the right to asylum amid the artificial migration crisis orchestrated by Belarus. Lukashenko says Russia’s nuclear weapons deployment in Belarus was long overdue, confirms Russian control over nuclear warheads. Belarusian political prisoner Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk re-sentenced for
One of three Russian drones that crossed into Belarus as Alexander Lukashenko was flying from his residence crashed in a populated area, witnesses of the crash arrested. Poland expresses support for Lithuania's ICC Referral over Lukashenko's alleged crimes. Seven defendants sentenced in absentia to 25 years in prison for damaging
Lithuania urges the International Criminal Court to investigate dictator Alexander Lukashenko and his regime for crimes against humanity, citing mass repression, deportations, and persecution of Belarusians. Vladimir Putin of Russia announces amendments to nuclear doctrine, threatening nuclear response for aggression against Belarus. IAEA director general confirms safety of controversial Belarusian
In a meeting with a top Russian militant, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko admits to a decade-long cooperation with occupied Donetsk and complicity in hosting abducted Ukrainian children. The U.S. condemns Belarusian state-owned TV channel for broadcasting “repentance” of U.S. citizen turned Belarusian political prisoner Yury Ziankovich. Far-right German
In the fourth round of pardons since July, Lukashenko frees another 37 political prisoners, with around 1,300 remaining behind bars. Prosecutors in the Russian-occupied Donetsk Oblast pressed charges against a Belarusian Kalinouski Regiment fighter held in captivity for two years. Latvian parliament passes a bill banning Belarus-registered vehicles from
A Russian drone with an armed warhead crashes in Latvia after crossing Belarus. Minsk officially confirmed the downing of a drone in its airspace, as reported by Belarusian Hajun monitoring group. Poland issued arrest warrants for 3 Belarusian officials accused of orchestrating the 2021 forced landing of a commercial Ryanair
Belarusian fighter jets reportedly shot at a Russian drone in Belarusian airspace for the first time. Sweden to review Belarusian asylum application rulings amid criticism for using outdated country information. Belarusian activist awaits Serbian court’s extradition ruling, fears persecution and torture at home. Subscribe to the Newsletter Belarus Weekly
Minsk rejects Kyiv's calls to remove troops from the border amid rising tensions between Ukraine and Belarus. Russian drone incursions into Belarusian airspace becoming the norm: In the latest Russian attacks on Kyiv, at least three Shahed drones entered Belarusian airspace. Belarus and China agreed to strengthen ties, signing free
In an interview with Russian state TV, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko claims he deployed a third of his army to Ukraine's border earlier this year. Lukashenko pardons 30 Belarusian political prisoners, while another 1,400 remain behind bars on politically motivated charges. Lithuania builds a military base for 4,000
Minsk summons EU, Ukrainian diplomats, and addresses UN, OSCE over alleged drone incursion from Ukraine. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko pushes a bill to criminalize violence and threats against incumbent or former presidents of Belarus, unauthorized reports on movements of the Belarusian military. The U.S., and allies impose new sanctions
EU hits 28 Belarusian judges, propagandists, law enforcers with personal sanctions over human rights violations. Russian drones again cross into Belarusian airspace in Russia's most extensive drone attack on Kyiv in 2024. Belarusian political prisoners excluded from historic East-West prisoner swap, sparking despair among Belarusian opposition. Subscribe to the Newsletter
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko pardons German citizen facing death penalty in Belarus as part of a major prisoner swap between Moscow, Washington and Berlin. Security concerns prompt the European Commission to ask Hungary to clarify its decision to ease immigration requirements for Russian and Belarusian citizens. Lukashenko meets Vladimir Putin
Belarus sentences a German citizen to death for alleged terrorism, Berlin pulled into negotiations over his fate. After handing down the death sentence to a German citizen, Minsk says it will extend visa free travel to Belarus for 35 European countries. Poland gives Alexander Lukashenko’s regime three conditions to
Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko claims he withdrew troops from the Belarus-Ukraine border to “de-escalate.” Four Russian kamikaze drones entered Belarusian airspace over the past week. NATO warns that deepening military integration between Russia and Belarus undermines regional stability and alliance defenses. Media reports of disturbances at the Belarus-Poland border linked
Belarus joins the Shanghai Cooperation Organization led by Russia and China, aiming for political legitimacy and developing “anti-sanction measures.” Chinese and Belarusian militaries conduct joint drills near NATO and Ukraine borders. Dictator Alexander Lukashenko releases 18 political prisoners while adding 17 more to the list. Subscribe to the Newsletter Belarus
The EU imposes new sanctions on Belarus, targeting sanction circumvention. Amid rising border tensions between Ukraine and Belarus, Belarusian official bolsters nuclear threats. Ukraine returns five of its citizens held in Belarusian prisons in a latest prisoner swap with Russia. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko suggests possible release of seriously ill
Belarus signals willingness for border security talks as Poland mulls full border closure and turns to China for solutions amid intensified migration crisis. The U.S. designates Belarus as State Sponsor of Human Trafficking in a 2024 report, highlighting forced labor, complicity in abduction of Ukrainian children, and worsening migration
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says no Armenian official will visit Belarus as long as Alexander Lukashenko remains in power following a diplomatic scandal over Belarus’ support for Azerbaijan. The U.S. expands sanctions on over 300 entities in China and Belarus to thwart Russian sanction circumvention. Twelve human rights
Following the death of a Polish soldier stabbed at the Polish-Belarusian, Warsaw reintroduces its buffer zone and demands that Belarus extradite the suspected attacker. Belarus joins in the second stage of Russian nuclear drills, simulating the combat use of tactical nuclear warheads, with the aim of undermining Western support for
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó visits Belarus, despite EU sanctions. Poland to reinstate 200-meter buffer zone at Belarus border amid surge in attacks on border guards and worsening of the Belarus-instigated migration crisis at EU border. EU approved tariffs on Russian and Belarusian grain products to cut funding for Russia's
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus meet in Minsk to discuss security and economy after both countries recently announced exercises involving tactical nuclear weapons. As Putin visited Minsk, former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's plane was spotted landing in the Belarusian city of Homel. Belarusian political analyst Alexander
The regime of dictator Alexander Lukashenko cracks down on the 257 candidates registered to join the exiled opposition council. Over a hundred Belarusians living abroad accused of ‘forming an extremist group’ and ‘discrediting Belarus’ by celebrating Freedom Day in their countries of refuge. Subscribe to the Newsletter Belarus Weekly Join
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