As Moscow announces "partial mobilization" of its citizens amid Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has yet to follow suit. However, Lukashenko cements his regime's role as a co-belligerent in Russia's war as he emphasizes his support for Russian forces. Tensions mount as Belarus is among a
Since launching the full-scale war against Ukraine, hardliners became the backbone of Vladimir Putin's regime. Russian officials, propagandists, and "military experts" have all been actively promoting Russia's land grab. Yet, the Kremlin's defeat in Kharkiv Oblast turned Russia's pro-war camp against its leader. Now, it looks like the Russian president
Military exercises continue on both sides of the border as Minsk focuses on improving offensive operations while Kyiv bolsters its demining and defensive efforts. Belarus allows Russia to use two military bases for 25 more years. Minsk also unveils the first units of the long-awaited "people's militia." Meanwhile, Belarusian volunteers
Russia is officially the world's most sanctioned country, but the Kremlin doesn't seem to care. Since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, trade bans from the European Union and the United States have seen imports grind to a halt. Meanwhile, hundreds of international companies have fled the
Ukraine imposes sanctions against Belarusian companies and officials seizing their assets in the country. The Ukrainian General Staff reports that Belarus holds military drills in which it simulates crossing the Belarusian border with Ukraine. Belarus’ dictator Alexander Lukashenko claimed that Belarusians who left the country and were convicted on charges
The number of Russian rockets hitting Ukraine from Belarus substantially increased after Belarusian autocrat Alexander Lukashenko “congratulated” Ukraine on its Independence Day. Meanwhile, Belarusian aircraft had been re-equipped to carry Russian nuclear weapons, while the newly created Belarusian territorial defense held exercises in Minsk. Lukashenko expressed regret that the Belarus
As Ukraine marks its 31st Independence Day amid Russian rockets flying in from Belarus, dictator Alexander Lukashenko wishes Ukrainians “a peaceful sky.” Belarus continues to expand its military facilities and serve as a co-belligerent in Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, helping Moscow restore its combat aircraft to circumvent Western
The Kyiv Independent is continuing to provide readers with a weekly roundup to help explain current events in Belarus. To receive the Belarus Weekly newsletter subscribe via this LINK. Maxar Technologies publishes satellite imagery identifying newly deployed Russian weapons and aircraft in the aftermath of explosions at the Belarusian Ziabrauka
Speculation regarding Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s health has been rife in recent years. Before February, it was purely in the realm of gossip. Yet the topic got a boost after Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine. Soon, activists, journalists, and even intelligence agencies were all publicly sharing information
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
Aug. 9 marks the second anniversary of the day when Belarusians had the chance to break free from decades of despotic rule. This date also marks the day when Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko declared himself president for his sixth consecutive term in an election internationally deemed as neither free nor
Editor's Note: The Kyiv Independent is providing readers with a weekly roundup to help explain current events in Belarus. To receive the Belarus Weekly newsletter subscribe via this LINK. Belarusian territory remains a staging ground for Russia’s military, as Russian airstrikes on Ukraine continue to be conducted from Belarus’
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
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
As Russia wages its war in Ukraine, it also continues to weaponize its energy resources, throwing the European continent into one of the worst energy crises in decades. After 10 days of waiting to see if Russia would resume gas supplies through the Nord Stream pipeline, the main route of
The Kyiv Independent is continuing to provide readers with a weekly roundup to help explain current events in Belarus. To receive the Belarus Weekly newsletter subscribe via this LINK. International rating agencies Fitch and Moody’s signal Belarus hit “default,” citing the country’s failure to repay Eurobond payments. Russia
The Kyiv Independent is continuing to provide readers with a weekly roundup to help explain current events in Belarus. To receive the Belarus Weekly newsletter subscribe via this LINK. Reports indicate increased Russian presence in Belarusian airspace as Belarus cedes control of one of its air bases to Russia. Belarus’
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.
The Kyiv Independent is continuing to provide readers with a weekly roundup to help explain current events in Belarus. To receive the Belarus Weekly newsletter subscribe via this LINK. Ukraine was again at the center of Belarus’ domestic agenda. Belarus' Independence Day was marred by allegations from the country’s
Although Russia surpasses Ukraine in terms of weapon capabilities, the number of troops it has committed to Ukraine is insufficient for the full-scale war it’s waging. Russia’s hawks have urged Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to introduce martial law and to initiate full or partial mobilization to expand the
The Kyiv Independent is continuing to provide readers with a weekly roundup to help explain current events in Belarus. To receive the Belarus Weekly newsletter subscribe via this LINK. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for the sixth time this year, taunting the world with
Russia is attempting to sow hatred between Belarusians and Ukrainians, Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said in a statement on June 28. “We cannot be divided, as it only helps the enemy,” Tsikhanouskaya said in her public response to an earlier address by President Volodymyr Zelensky. "Belarusians will do everything
The Kyiv Independent is continuing to provide readers with a weekly roundup to help explain current events in Belarus. To receive the Belarus Weekly newsletter subscribe via this LINK. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko permitted foreign military attachés to observe Belarus’ military drills and renewed the country’s commitment to providing
The peaceful lives of Ukrainians were abruptly shattered by the incoming missiles that marked the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion on Feb. 24. Many of those missiles were fired from Belarus. The regime under Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, held afloat by Russian President Vladimir Putin, has permitted Russian troops
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
The Kyiv Independent is continuing to provide readers with a weekly roundup to help explain current events in Belarus. To receive the Belarus Weekly newsletter subscribe via this LINK. Belarusian propaganda is bolstering its depiction of Ukraine as a vile state. Meanwhile, the military is mining the country’s borders
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
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
At the toughest moment in the history of relations between Ukraine and Belarus, the Kyiv Independent sat down to speak with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of the Belarus opposition in exile. Back in 2020, Tsikhanouskaya contested Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko in the presidential election. There is evidence that the election
Belarus' parliament approved a bill on May 4 to amend the country’s criminal code, introducing capital punishment for acts of "attempted terrorism." Previously, the death penalty was assigned to those that committed terrorist acts that resulted in casualties. Belarus’ State Security Committee, or KGB, has a long list of
As Russia fails to inflict quick defeat upon Ukraine after four days of fierce hostilities, Vladimir Putin is about to pull his Belarusian ally, dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko into his war of occupation. Amid many speculations, multiple sources say the decision has been made — and as soon as on Feb. 28
Russia's blatant "recognition" of its own puppet enclaves in Ukraine's Donbas bears a striking resemblance to the events of 2008, when the Kremlin tore off a part of Georgia and invented the “states” of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In its ongoing war in eastern Ukraine, Moscow has so far followed
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