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Belarus Weekly: European Parliament resolution urges more sanctions against Belarus
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
Estonian Defense Minister: 'Russian army has not changed in 100 years'
Estonia, a country of 1.4 million people bordering Russia, is one of the most vocal supporters of Ukraine. It's also one of the West's front line states facing an increasingly aggressive Russia. Before Russia launched its all-out war, Estonia was among the handful of countries that provided Ukraine with
Belarus Weekly: Lukashenko visits Iran, Russian aircraft explosion spurs mass arrests across Belarus
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
Belarus Weekly: Opposition leader Tsikhanouskaya sentenced to 15 years in prison in absentia
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,
Belarus Weekly: Lukashenko visits China as tensions mount
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
Belarus Weekly: Leaked document reveals alleged Kremlin plan to take over Belarus by 2030
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
Belarus Weekly: Hungarian foreign minister, German right-wing MP visit Belarus
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 Weekly: Minsk, Moscow plummet in latest Democracy Index
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
Belarus Weekly: EU proposes additional sanctions on Belarus, Lukashenko travels to distant ally Zimbabwe
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
Belarus Weekly: European Parliament calls for special tribunal for Putin, Lukashenko
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
Belarus Weekly: Direct Belarusian involvement in Russia’s war would spark ‘massive disobedience,’ Tsikhanouskaya says
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 Weekly: Nobel Peace Prize laureate on trial in Belarus
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
Even after sanctions, Russian economy can pay for war
The Russian economy has faced unprecedented sanctions since the Kremlin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. The latest events – the West's embargo on seaborn oil and price cap on Russian oil sales worldwide – are seen as a blow to the Russian economy, whose backbone is the energy
Belarus in 2022: War, death, and a very grim place
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
With the world looking away, Russia quietly took control over Belarus
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 Weekly: Minsk says 'Ukrainian S-300 missile' falls in Belarus
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
Belarus Weekly: Russia transfers more military equipment to Belarus, deploys closer to Ukrainian border
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
Belarus Weekly: Russia re-deploys MiG-31K supersonic aircraft to Belarus
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
Belarus Weekly: Minsk and Moscow sign a rushed classified protocol on regional security
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
Belarus Weekly: Russia transfers additional air defense systems to Belarus
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
Belarus Weekly: Ukraine says Moscow to strike Belarus in 'false flag' operation
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
Belarus Weekly: Ukraine builds fence along border with Belarus
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
Where is Russia’s anti-war opposition?
For many Ukrainians, watching queues of conscription-age Russians fleeing the specter of mobilization has proven bittersweet. Each body that crosses the border into Kazakhstan, Armenia, or Georgia is one less soldier to occupy Ukrainian soil. But why have the same crowds failed to appear at anti-war protests in a bid
Belarus Weekly: Lukashenko's regime bans 'Long live Belarus!' salute, adds 224 names to its list of 'extremists'
As military training grounds in Belarus expand after the creation of the Russia-Belarus joint military command force, Ukraine reports the deployment of kamikaze drones to a Belarusian airfield near the Ukrainian border. Meanwhile, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko reiterates his intention not to send Belarusian forces to Ukraine. After severing ties
Belarus Weekly: Russia deploys ballistic missiles to Belarus
As Belarusians mourn The Night of the Executed Poets, the climax of the Stalinist repressions against intellectuals, state-sponsored repressions continue almost a century later. Moscow deploys ballistic missiles to Belarus, and Minsk opens two military command centers to train Russian troops as part of the countries’ joint military command force.
Kremlin propaganda more aggressive as Russia steps up attacks
As Russia is escalating its war against Ukraine and using massive missile and drone strikes to destroy infrastructure, Kremlin propaganda is becoming even more bloodthirsty. The earlier disappointment of propagandists with repeated Russian defeats on the battlefield has been replaced with a feeling of schadenfreude. They are gloating over the
Belarus Weekly: Russia launches Iranian-made drones from Belarus, moves in more troops
Concerns over a potential offensive from Belarus continue as covert mobilization, and the movement of Russian troops to Belarus continues. Russia launches Iranian-made drones from Belarusian territory, continuing Belarus' role as a co-belligerent in Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko's regime makes critical changes to Belarus' electoral
Belarus Weekly: Minsk to welcome 9,000 Russian troops, as covert mobilization is ongoing in Belarus
Belarus to welcome 9,000 Russian troops. Meanwhile, a covert mobilization is ongoing in Belarus. Belarus' dictator Alexander Lukashenko warns of a so-called "increased risk of terrorist threats" in Belarus, as authorities give contradicting statements about an alleged "counter-terrorist regime" in the country. Ukraine is considering abolishing Kyiv's visa-free regime
Belarus Weekly: Minsk establishes joint command with Moscow, awaits arrival of Russian troops
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko supported Russia's missile attacks against Ukraine, adding that his country began the process of creating a joint regional military command with Moscow. Additionally, Lukashenko subordinated the KGB directly to himself, potentially fearing the arrival of a large group of Russian troops, which he welcomed as part
Could mobilization, battlefield defeats cost Putin his regime?
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has raised the stakes in his war against Ukraine, and he may be paying the price. By announcing the mobilization of conscripts on Sept. 21 and the illegal annexation of more Ukrainian territory on Sept. 30, he increased domestic instability in Russia. People who were content
Lukashenko says Belarus, Russia establish joint regional military command
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko gathered top military command on Oct. 10, as Russia was bombing multiple Ukrainian cities. Lukashenko supported Russia's attacks, adding that his country began the process of creating a joint regional military command with Moscow. He didn't explain what the new military formation would be tasked with.
Belarus Weekly: Belarusian authorities jail journalist, political prisoner Bialiatski wins Nobel Peace Prize
For the first time since the start of Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko acknowledges Belarus' involvement in Russia's war. As Belarus prepares to receive up to 20,000 Russian troops, Lukashenko accuses Ukraine of amassing troops on the border. The government-in-exile, led by opposition leader Sviatlana
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