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 Sweden to review Belarusian asylum application rulings amid criticism for using outdated country information.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
Key developments on Sept. 5: * Russian advance near Pokrovsk stalled in recent days, Syrskyi says * Russia pulls 60,000 troops to counter Kursk incursion, Zelensky claims * Officials say 55 killed, 328 injured in Poltava as rescue operations conclude * Romanian president signs decree on donating Patriot to Ukraine * Belarus confirms downing
Belarus' military confirmed the downing of a drone early on Sept. 5, shortly after the monitoring group Belarusian Hajun reported that Belarus had downed two Russian attack drones.
The Belarusian Air Force downed two Russian attack drones on Sept. 5 near the Belarusian city of Gomel, the monitoring group Belaruski Hajun claimed. If confirmed, the incident would appear to be the first successful interception of Russian drones by Belarusian forces over the country's airspace.
Belarus plans to host an international conference on combating illegal migration in November 2024, with participation from some European Union ministers, according to Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhenkov.
Sitting on NATO's eastern frontier, Lithuania has been punching above its weight when it comes to aiding Ukraine. Ranked among the top military donors in terms of GDP per capita, the country of 2.8 million has provided Ukraine with helicopters, drones, armored vehicles, and air defenses, not to mention
A Belarusian fighter jet attempted to down a Russian Shahed-type drone that flew into Belarus' airspace during an overnight attack against Ukraine on Aug. 29, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group said.
Belarusian opposition activist, journalist, and filmmaker Andrey Hnyot is awaiting a decision by the Serbian Court of Appeals on Belarus’ extradition request.
At least six Russian Shahed-type kamikaze drones flew off course and entered Belarus during Russia's mass attack on Ukraine on Aug. 26, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported on Aug. 27.
Key developments on Aug. 26: * Russia launches over 200 missiles, drones in largest attack on Ukraine since start of invasion * Negotiations with Ukraine have now lost their relevance, Kremlin says * Russian authorities claim Saratov Oblast attacked by drones * Wagner Group claims to no longer be fighting in Ukraine * Ukraine has
Kyiv has not yet made an official request for Minsk to withdraw Belarusian troops from the border with Ukraine, Belarus' Foreign Ministry claimed on Aug. 26, a day after Ukraine urged Belarus to withdraw its forces "to a distance greater than the firing range of Belarus' systems."
Wagner mercenaries are operating only in Belarus and Africa, and are not fighting alongside the Russian army in Ukraine, the Wagner Group claimed in a statement on Telegram on Aug. 26.
Belarus' Armed Forces are "concentrating a significant number of personnel" as well as weaponry along Ukraine's northern border with Belarus "under the guise of exercises," Ukraine's Foreign Ministry warned on Aug. 25, citing information gathered by the country's intelligence sources.
According to a joint statement, Beijing and Minsk pledged not only to strengthen security ties but also to improve cooperation in the finance and energy sectors.
Speaking on Russian state television, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko said earlier in the week, "Who needs Armenians? Nobody. Let them develop their economy and rely on their own resources.
Belarus has deployed additional air defense troops and aircraft to its border with Ukraine, Maj. Gen. Andrey Lukyanovich, commander of the Belarusian Air Defense Forces, announced on Aug. 19.
Key developments on Aug. 17-18: * Ukraine claims another key bridge destroyed in Kursk Oblast * Syrskyi says Ukrainian forces 'strengthen' their positions in Kursk Oblast * Belarus moved third of its army to Ukraine border due to what Lukashenko claims was misunderstanding * German Foreign Ministry refutes claims that Berlin will not provide
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko said he later managed to speak to Ukrainian officials through special channels and the situation was resolved through diplomatic means.
Hungary's decision to ease entry rules for Russians "may constitute a serious security risk," leaders of Nordic and Baltic countries said in a joint letter to European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson on Aug. 16.
The recent delivery of Belarusian military equipment is related to "an urgent request from the Russian side" due to losses and a lack of equipment in the Kursk Oblast and other areas, Belnovosti said, citing an undisclosed source in the Belarusian Defense Ministry.
Key developments on Aug. 10–11: * Ukraine pushing war into "aggressor's territory," Zelensky says * Russian forces start fire at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Ukraine says * July was 'deadliest month' for Ukrainian civilians since October 2022, UN says * Ukraine destroys another Russian patrol boat in occupied Crimea, military intelligence says * Ukrainian forces
Belarusian Hajun, an open-source intelligence project, called Lukashenko's allegation "nonsense."
Ukraine does not spot additional Belarusian troops being deployed to the border amid Minsk's claims of reinforcing the border, State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said on Aug. 11.
Belarus’ Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a "strong warning" to Ukraine’s Charge d’Affaires to Belarus Olha Tymush and threatened to end diplomatic relations after what Minsk claims was “a Ukrainian provocation.”
“Military units of special operations forces, ground forces, missile forces, including the Polonez rocket systems and Iskander (mid-range ballistic missile) complexes, were tasked with marching to designated areas.” the Belarusian defense minister said.
The British sanctions list includes Denis Tolstenkov, Andrei Palchyk, Filip Sturchanka, and Aleksey Lazarenko, the heads of four Belarusian penal colonies where political prisoners and activists are illegally detained.
At least nine Russian Shahed-type kamikaze drones flew off course and entered Belarus during Russia's attacks on Ukraine in July, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported on Aug. 8.
The news that the development of an IT system used by British nuclear submarine engineers was outsourced to Belarusian developers has led to calls that the U.K. must carry out an urgent review of defense supply chains, the Telegraph reported on Aug. 3.
The announcement came a few days ahead of the fourth anniversary of the 2020 Belarusian presidential election when dictator Alexander Lukashenko cemented his hold on power through electoral fraud and mass repressions.
German politicians are demanding an EU-wide response after Hungary simplified entry requirements for Russian and Belarusian citizens in July, German news outlet Bild reported on Aug. 3
At least five Russian Shahed-type kamikaze drones flew off course and entered into Russia-ally Belarus during an overnight mass attack on Ukraine on July 31, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported.
German citizen Rico Krieger has been sentenced to death by a court in Belarus after being accused of committing six crimes, including "terrorism," and "mercenary activity."
