The Belarusian police are summoning Ukrainians for interrogations more often, as well as increasing the number of searches of Ukrainians, according to Ukraine’s Resistance Center. The Kyiv Independent could not immediately verify this information.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Belarusian counterpart Viktor Khrenin signed an agreement in May 2023 to transfer tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, a process that Russian leader Vladimir Putin said had begun in June.
Late last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin moved ahead with his threat to deploy nuclear weapons on Belarusian soil. Echoing prior condemnation of this planned action, the U.S. State Department’s spokesman added: “we have seen no reason to adjust our strategic nuclear posture or any indications that Russia
Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko says nuclear weapons are already on their way to Belarus, claiming Russia will give nukes to any country that joins the Union State. Poland sanctions over 300 Belarusian officials and suspends freight traffic for Russian and Belarusian vehicles at its border in response to Minsk's decision
Eduard Babaryka, the son of jailed ex-presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka, goes on trial after spending three years in a pre-trial detention center. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. In an unprecedented move, Belarusian authorities "pardon" jailed Belarusian activist Raman Pratasevich, who was given an eight-year
Belarusian authorities publish footage of dictator Alexander Lukashenko conducting work trips in an attempt to refute rumors of his poor health. His voice remains hoarse, his hand bandaged, just like at the Victory Day celebrations, after which he disappeared from the public eye. The European Parliament issued a resolution calling
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko’s swift departure from the Red Square Victory Day events sparks rumors about the dictator’s health. Belarusian blogger and political prisoner Mikalai Klimovich dies in custody. The 61-year-old was sentenced to a year in prison for “liking” a caricature of Lukashenko posted on social media.
Viktar Babaryka, who ran against dictator Alexander Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential election and is now a political prisoner, was hospitalized with a punctured lung and signs of physical abuse. Belarusian authorities continue to crack down on political activists, as a Minsk court sentences activist Raman Pratasevich to eight years
President Volodymyr Zelensky visits northwestern Volyn Oblast and checks border with Belarus. Belarus prepares for the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear missile systems as local units complete training in Russia. The number of political prisoners in Belarus reaches 1,500 people, with experts suggesting the actual figure may be much
Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko meets in Minsk with the head of Russia’s proxies in occupied parts of Donetsk Oblast, offering to provide industrial and agricultural assistance. Meanwhile, Minsk continues to propel Moscow’s nuclear rhetoric, claiming that Belarus has the equipment, aircraft, and sites necessary to accommodate Russian nuclear
A European Parliament resolution calls for additional sanctions on Belarus. The statement also concerns the "so-called integration" of Russia and Belarus. A report issued by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights suggests that ongoing repressions against dissidents in Belarus may constitute "crimes against humanity." Belarusian authorities sentence TUT.by
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
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,
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
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin meet near Moscow to discuss further cooperation as Minsk prepares to produce Russian military aircraft. Meanwhile, a leaked document revealed that the Kremlin plans to take over Belarus by 2023, according to a joint investigation by the Kyiv Independent. Over
In February 2015, the leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany, and Russia met in Minsk to hold talks following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014. Following the 15-hour-long talks, the second Minsk Agreement was reached, intended to stop Russia’s war in Ukraine’s east. The agreement envisioned a ceasefire, withdrawal
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
In response to Belarus' year-long support of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, the European Union is preparing a fresh round of sanctions against Minsk. The new restrictions will align with those imposed on Moscow, helping to block the circumvention of sanctions through Belarus. One of Russia's military divisions completes training
The week marks the 160th anniversary of the 1863 uprising against Russian imperial rule. The January uprising led by Kastus Kalinouski was an attempt to re-establish a joint Polish, Lithuanian, and Belarusian independent state. The most prominent Belarusian military formation fighting for Ukraine bears his name. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko
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 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 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
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 dictator Alexander Lukashenko met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the second time in ten days. On Dec. 27, Lukashenko flew to St. Petersburg to meet with Putin for the ninth time in 2022. Publicly little was said about the results of these talks. One of the Russian MiG-31
Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Belarus on Dec. 19 didn't deliver any particular results. Routine statements about joint exercises, a new round of nuclear blackmail, and assurances that Russia will not annex Belarus were among the key talking points during Putin's press conference in Minsk. Russia again began increasing
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
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visits Belarus as Minsk and Moscow sign a rushed classified protocol on regional security. Belarus’ parliament is considering introducing the death sentence for officials and military personnel that “commit acts of treason.” Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko extends the list of criminal charges for which trials
Russia transfers additional air defense systems to Belarus. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko's aggressive rhetoric towards Ukraine continues, as he boasts that the ongoing war will mean the "complete destruction of Ukraine." The European Parliament issued a motion to condemn the repression of Belarusian civil society by Lukashenko's regime, as well
Up to 12,000 mobilized Russian conscripts are reportedly stationed in Belarus.
As Russian troops withdraw from Kherson amid a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive, concerns over false flag operations from Belarus intensify. Ukrainian intelligence warns of potential staged provocations by Russia at Belarusian critical infrastructure sites, which it says Moscow will blame on Kyiv. An independent Belarusian railway initiative says Minsk has transferred
Ukraine's General Staff published an urgent appeal to Belarusian citizens on Nov. 24, saying that Russian special services are preparing provocations on the territory of Belarus, targeting its critical infrastructure, particularly the nuclear power plant in Astravets in western Belarus, just across the border from Vilnius.
Kyiv constructs a wall to fortify its border with Belarus as Minsk prepares to hold large-scale mobilization drills at the end of the year. Belarusian monitoring group Belarusian Hajun reports additional Russian aircraft in Belarus. As regional military authorities requisition 50,000 mobilization summons, concern over covert mobilization in Belarus
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