Belarus Review by iSANS — 3 February 

Russian “Shahed” drones continued to be detected entering Belarusian airspace during the week under review. From January 27 to February 2, a total of 23 “Shahed” drones were reported to have flown into Belarus from Ukrainian and Russian territories. On January 28, nine drones were detected (one of which was shot down by Belarusian air defense forces in the Mozyr district). On January 29, one drone was recorded. On January 31, seven drones were detected. On February 1 and 2, three drones were observed each day. Later, most of these drones returned to Ukraine.

On January 25, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Belarus for Scientific Work, Viktar Tumar, reported that as part of experimental design work for the “Gyroplane” project, the development of a manned multi-purpose special purpose complex based on a gyrocopter is nearing completion. The prototype has allegedly successfully passed state trials, and the work is in its final stage.

On January 28, the official spokesperson for the State Border Committee of Belarus, Anton Bychkouski, stated that the situation on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border had normalized. According to Bychkouski, “Currently, the situation is controlled. Border service agencies are carrying out tasks on an enhanced schedule without losing vigilance. Although recently, a general trend towards the normalization of the situation can be observed.”

On January 28, it was reported that a service center for the repair of air defense systems is being created at the 2566^th Radio-electronic Armament Repair Plant in Barysaw. The project involves the Russian company “Concern VKO Almaz-Antey.”

On January 28, during a press tour for foreign journalists at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border, it was announced that the Belarusian Border Service is taking measures to combat drones. For instance, border patrols are armed with electronic warfare equipment and pump-action shotguns.

On January 28, an official spokesperson for the State Border Committee reported that in 2024, drones had violated the Belarusian-Ukrainian border approximately 20 times. In total, according to the State Border Committee’s data, about 350 drone flights were recorded in the vicinity of the border that year but only 20 of them entered the territory of Belarus. Since July 2024, Russian drones (predominantly “Shahed”) have regularly been detected in Belarusian airspace. According to the “Belarusian Hajun” project, 395 Russian drones were recorded in Belarus last year, of which 381 came from Ukrainian territory. Data on the total number of Russian drones detected in the Belarusian airspace or in the vicinity of its border closely corresponds in both sources.

On January 29, it was reported that in the Brest region, the low-altitude target detection radar system “Rosa-RB” had gone on combat duty. The system was deployed in one of the units of the 2284^th Separate Radio-technical Battalion, whose divisions are based in the Brest, Kamyanets, and Byaroza districts of the Brest region. The main advantage of this system is its ability to detect targets at an altitude of just 1 meter above the ground.

On January 29, the 11^th Mechanized Brigade opened a class for drone operators. The class is equipped with simulators that allow operators to hone their drone management skills. A similar class was opened on January 31 in the 6^th Mechanized Brigade.

On January 30, Chairman of the State Border Committee Kanstantsin Molastau announced that eight border post complexes are under construction on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border. Additionally, with funding from the “Union State,” a high-tech unit is being established on the Belarusian-Polish border. Its formation will allow a shift from regular patrols to real-time responses to changes in the situation.

On January 30, a briefing was held by the Head of the Joint Staff of the CSTO, Andrey Serdyukov. During the briefing, it was noted that in September, Belarus will host joint exercises: with the Collective Operational Response Forces “Interaction-2025,” with reconnaissance forces and assets “Poisk-2025,” and with material and technical support “Echelon-2025.” The plans for these exercises are set to be closely aligned with the goals of the Joint Strategic Exercises “Zapad-2025.”

On January 31, in an interview with state media, the commander of the “Rys” Special Forces unit of the Internal Troops reported that a drone aviation center had been established within the unit. Additionally, the unit had been reportedly re-equipped with special combat vehicles. To carry out tasks in the border area, “Rys” received an air-cushion vehicle and an all-terrain vehicle.

On February 2, Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus, Aliaksandr Valfovich, stated that, at present, there are no signs of aggression being unleashed against Belarus. Responding to a question about the likelihood of an escalation, Valfovich said: “It cannot be ruled out. As of today, at least, we do not see the signs that would threaten or suggest the unleashing of any potential aggression against Belarus. As of today, we do not see them. But the number of exercises and the steps taken by the coalition of Western countries, of course, do not calm us.”

During the period under review, the leader of the Belarusian democratic forces, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, thanked Belarusians for participating in events abroad during the so-called “elections”, emphasizing that they have shown they do not recognize Lukashenka’s illegitimate rule. “We stood together to reject lies, violence, and war. I know that if not for repression, there would have been hundreds of times more of us on the streets of Minsk, Salihorsk, Rahachow, and every other city in Belarus,” she stated.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the European Union foreign ministers in Brussels at the invitation of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell. During the meeting, discussions focused on the non-recognition of the rigged elections and the Lukashenka regime, peace negotiations regarding Ukraine, visa and legalization issues, as well as support for Belarusian civil society and democratic forces. “Isolate Lukashenka, but support Belarusians”, said Tsikhanouskaya.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial, alongside leaders from other countries. Speaking at the event, she stated: “The tragedy of the Holocaust is a reminder to the world of the destructive consequences of ideologies of aggression and hatred.” The visit marked the 80^th anniversary of the camp’s liberation and was attended by a number of Western politicians. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the importance of remembering the past to prevent such tragedies from happening again, stressing that only solidarity and humanity can counter the horrors of war. During the event, Tsikhanouskaya also had a conversation with Charles Kushner and his wife. Kushner attended the ceremony as the head of the American delegation on behalf of the U.S. president. They exchanged views on the situation in Belarus, the need for the release of political prisoners, and keeping Belarus at the center of international attention, as well as in U.S. foreign policy.

Belarus remains a key topic on the European agenda, and the EU will continue supporting Belarusian democratic forces, stated EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on January 27. “We had a good evening yesterday with Belarusian leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. We discussed the sham elections in Belarus, and of course, we support Belarus and its people,” Kallas said.

Canada has imposed new sanctions on individuals and entities linked to the Lukashenka regime, including his official wife, for ongoing severe and systematic human rights violations in Belarus and for supporting Russia’s breach of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the government’s press service. In its turn, the UK has imposed sanctions on nine individuals and entities in Belarus, coordinating with Canada. The sanctions target officials responsible for human rights violations and defense sector companies supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. Among those sanctioned is Ihar Karpenka, head of Lukashenka’s Central Election Commission, following what the UK called “sham elections” that silenced opposition voices. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy also emphasized continued support for the Belarusian people, stating that the UK and its partners will keep exposing those who suppress freedom and democracy. In total, Australia, Canada, the EU, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom condemned the “sham elections in Belarus and the ongoing human rights violations committed by the Belarusian regime.” Their joint statement also emphasized that these countries will continue to “support the Belarusian people’s aspiration for a free, democratic, and independent Belarus.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova has also joined the EU statement regarding the “elections” in Belarus, criticizing the Belarusian authorities’ decision to block international observation of the process. In turn, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine released a statement condemning the presidential “elections” in Belarus, emphasizing that the Belarusian people do not deserve to be “held hostage by one man for another five years.” The Ministry further stated that the Belarusian people “deserve a better future” and should not be deprived of their rightful place among European nations. The statement also criticized the elections as neither honest, transparent, nor democratic, pointing out the political repression in Belarus that deprived voters of any alternative choice, turning the elections into “a political show for one person.” Also, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski commented on the results of the presidential “elections” in Belarus. According to early data from the Central Election Commission, Aliaksandr Lukashenka allegedly secured 87.6% of the vote. “Only 87.6% of Belarusians love their ‘father’? Will the rest fit in prisons?” – he wrote on “X”.

On the day of the presidential “elections” in Belarus, the Belarusian opposition held a forum in Warsaw titled “Belarusians Deserve Better.” The event, which included speeches from opposition politicians, activists, and members of the Belarusian diaspora, focused on discussing the future of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, opening the forum, emphasized that while the world cannot be solely focused on Belarus, “we must bring Belarus back to the agenda.” The forum also featured discussions on social support for Belarusians abroad, with the opposition introducing a fund to provide urgent and long-term support, including medical aid and integration projects. Additionally, the forum touched on the “New Belarus” passport project, which the opposition intends to complete despite challenges, aiming for the passport to gain recognition by EU countries by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the Coordination Council delegation started its work at the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) session, marking their first participation in the assembly. During this visit, they held meetings with representatives from key political groups: SOC (Socialists, Democrats, and Greens), EPP/CD (European People’s Party), EC/DA (European Conservatives and Democratic Alliance), ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe), and UEL (United European Left). During the discussions, Coordination Council speaker Angelika Melnikova emphasized the importance of democratic changes in Belarus for ensuring true regional security and achieving peace, and Pavel Latushka highlighted the priority issue of securing support from Council of Europe member states and their parliaments to hold Lukashenka accountable through international justice mechanisms. In turn, PACE adopted a resolution rejecting the legitimacy of Lukashenka and the elections held in Belarus. The “Urgent Need for Free and Fair Elections in Belarus” resolution was adopted unanimously.

The UK and other members of the Informal Group of Friends of Democratic Belarus in the OSCE adopted a joint statement on elections in Belarus and the deteriorating human rights situation: “No election can be considered as free and fair or meeting international standards when it is held in a climate of ongoing repression.” In total, 38 states signed the statement.

The Lukashenka’s delegation spoke at the OSCE Permanent Council and called the criticism of the recent presidential “elections” unfounded. The text of the statement was published by the Belarusian embassy in Austria. Representatives of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the “elections” were allegedly conducted in accordance with national legislation. The state agency BelTA reported that at the OSCE Permanent Council meeting on January 30, the Belarusian delegation added a separate agenda item in which it “disavowed the critical attacks from Western representatives” regarding the “elections” held on January 26. At the same time, the diplomats presenting the position of the Lukashenka regime in Vienna noted that “normalization of relations” could help “address common challenges in the European region and the world.” Once again, employees of the Foreign Ministry, controlled by Lukashenka, attempted to convince their colleagues that “the continuation and intensification of sanctions pressure – whose dead-end and counterproductive nature has long been beyond doubt – will not affect the course chosen by the citizens of Belarus.” They also advised representatives of Western countries to “change their tone from arrogant to calm and respectful.”

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski spoke at a Civic Coalition rally in Poznan, expressing sorrow over the death of a Polish soldier “who sacrificed his life to defend the homeland” in June 2024. He condemned the attack on a Polish state officer at the border, calling the assailant a “plain criminal” rather than a refugee. Sikorski also announced that Poland would submit a protest note to the Belarusian chargé d’affaires, demanding the identification and extradition of the perpetrator to Poland for investigation. Meanwhile, the information about the death of another soldier appeared in the media and later on was officially confirmed. According to the information, the border guard committed a suicide on the night of February 1-2.

Last year, 598 Belarusians were recognized as a threat to Lithuania’s national security.

The head of the Belarusian Central Electoral Commission, Ihar Karpenka, did not rule out that in the future, the president would be elected through the Belarusian All-People Assembly.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not comment on Lukashenka’s latest statements about his country, saying that “my dialogue with Lukashenka is over”. Earlier, Lukashenka claimed that Yerevan itself is to blame for the latest war with Azerbaijan and criticized Armenia for developing cooperation with the European Union.

A criminal case was opened against Ihar Sluchak, a civic activist and a popularizer of the Belarusian language. He was accused of “facilitating extremist activities.” The case was initiated on May 22, 2024. On December 24, the materials on the case were transferred to the Ragachouski district department of the Investigative Committee. In the fall of 2023, Sluchak, along with his wife and two children, was evacuated from Belarus with the help of the BySol solidarity fund, but continued to be involved in activism. Therefore, the proceedings will be held in absentia.

The Investigative Committee reported that it had identified 365 participants of Belarusian protest actions conducted on January 26 against the “elections” of Lukashenka in different countries of the world. The Investigative Committee said that 581 person took part in these actions in different cities of Poland, as well as in other countries. The authorities managed to identify 203 persons in Warsaw, 11 in Wroclaw, 18 in Bialystok, 29 in Vilnius, 39 in New York, 11 in Prague, and others based on photos posted on the Internet. The authorities threatened these persons with prosecution in absentia and promised  their property and real estate will be taken away.

The Belarusian apartment of ex-political prisoner blogger Vadimati (Vadzim Yermashuk), who now lives in Poland, was searched in relation with his participation in the Warsaw march on January 26 against the “elections” of Lukashenka. He posted stories from the event on his social media. Yermashuk was released on June 29, 2024, having fully served a three-year imprisonment term for the “abuse of state symbols” and “insulting Lukashenka.” Yermashuk’s Instagram page was recognized as “extremist materials,” after which he left the country. Earlier, Yermashuk reported that his apartment in Grodno was arrested by the order of the investigator.

Barys Garetski, Deputy chair of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, was put on the international wanted list of Belarus and Russia. The wanted database does not indicate what he is accused of.

On January 29, the court of the Central District of Homiel decided to recognize as “extremist” the documentary “The Forest” about Stalin’s repression in Belarus. The film was released last year. The documentary covered several true stories of the 1930s. It included archived video and audio materials and interviews with eyewitnesses of the repression.

On January 30, Belarusian “parliament” adopted draft amendments to the laws on criminal liability. Pavel Sapelka, a lawyer at “Viasna” Human Rights Center, noted that the list of articles on which a person can be tried in absentia was significantly expanded and included such charges as inciting discord, discrediting the Republic of Belarus, insulting the president and a government official, an act of terrorism, abuse of state symbols, and disclosure of state secrets. “This creates opportunities for new large-scale repression. More than 3,500 people have already been convicted under the listed charges,” he noted. According to another important amendment, “a special procedure” can be applied in other cases by decision of the Prosecutor General, the Chair of the Investigative Committee or the KGB, which means that a trial in absentia can be held for any crime.

On February 1, it became known about the release of Palina Sharenda-Panasyuk. This was announced on Facebook by her husband Andrei Sharenda, who wrote that she was released after completing her fourth term of imprisonment. In 2021, she was sentenced to two years of imprisonment on the charges of using violence against police officers and insulting them, as well as insulting Aliaksandr Lukashenka. After that, she was accused of “malicious disobedience to the colony administration” three times; a year was added to her prison term each time. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented: “I am very relieved that Palina Sharenda-Panasyuk is finally free after more than four years of suffering and can be reunited with her family. She lost her health, but not her principles. We must continue to fight for those who are still unjustly imprisoned.”

The Hrodna Regional Court considers the case of the spouses Leanid and Antanina Tserabei on charges of insulting Lukashenka, participating in protests, inciting social hatred, slandering Lukashenka and abusing state symbols. They were detained in June 2024. It is known that they have a child, so the mother was kept at large until the trial. Pro-government channels suggested that she would probably be given a non-custodial sentence, while Leanid will have to spend some years behind bars.

“Viasna” Human Rights Center reported first trials for “election violations.” On February 3, the Pervamaiski district court of Minsk is starting to consider the case against Bagdan Litvinau on charges of “violating legislation on elections, referendums, and exercising the right of legislative initiative of citizens”. Under the same charge and on the same day, Andrei Tsymashenka will be tried by the court of the Navabelitski district of Homel. There is an information about six similar trials.

On February 3, the trial of Mikalai, Alena and Mikita Liapeshka begins in the Central District Court of Minsk. The whole family is accused of actively participating in actions that grossly violate public order.

In Homiel, seven teenagers will be tried for participating in the “extremist formation” of the “Dukh Rusi” (Spirit of Russia). The KGB recognized the “Dukh Rusi” Telegram channel, which at that time had 12 subscribers, as an extremist formation in December 2024. The alleged creators and participants of the “formation” have been behind bars for six months. All of them are minors. They face up to seven years of imprisonment. It is noted that the arrests occurred earlier than the KGB recognized the Telegram channel as an “extremist formation.”

On January 24, the International non-governmental organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) filed a submission to the International Criminal Court regarding Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s crimes against humanity, the victims of which were journalists. “For five years, the Belarusian regime has systematically persecuted all independent voices, starting with journalists…We urge Prosecutor Karim Khan to investigate and bring those responsible to justice,” said Jeanne Cavelier, head of the RSF’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Desk. RSF, together with the Belarusian Association of Journalists, have documented 589 cases of unjustified arrests of employees of independent media in Belarus. At least 43 of them are still in custody. Some journalists have been arrested repeatedly. From 500 to 600 journalists were forced to leave Belarus. Submissions to the ICC by NGOs differ procedurally from the referrals submitted by state parties to the Rome Statute. Unlike the referrals, the ICC Prosecutor is not required to respond to NGO submissions. He, however, can take them into consideration.

Poland put two Belarusian citizens on the Interpol wanted list in connection with the forced landing of a Ryanair plane in May 2021. The so-called Interpol red notices (arrest requests for further extradition) were issued in their names. There is yet another suspect, the procedure for issuing a red notice in whose name is still in the process of completion. The case of the seizure of control over the Ryanair plane flying from Athens to Vilnius is being investigated by the Polish Internal Security Agency and supervised by the Mazowiecki Department for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption of the National Prosecutor’s Office. According to the case file, employees of the air traffic control service provided the plane crew with the false information about an explosive device on board, which caused the pilots to make an emergency landing in Minsk. The situation has led to a threat to the lives and health of people, including Polish citizens, and the unlawful deprivation of liberty of the crew and passengers of the aircraft. During the investigation, orders were issued to charge three Belarusian citizens, Leanid Ch. (the former director of Belaeronavigatsja), Yauhen Ts. (the shift supervisor) and KGB officer Andrei A. In September 2024, the court applied a preventive measure to them in the form of temporary arrest for a period of three months from the date of detention. The Polish prosecutor’s office has initiated a search for suspects.

On January 29, independent human rights experts, Nils Muižnieks, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus; Alice Jill Edwards, Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; Laura Nyirinkindi (Chair), Claudia Flores (Vice-Chair), Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Ivana Krstić, and Haina Lu, members of the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls, expressed deep concern about the lack of effective investigations into allegations of gender-based violence and ill-treatment of women in pre-trial detention centers and correctional colonies in Belarus. According to reports, staff in detention facilities, the Department of Correctional Services and the Public Prosecutor’s Office may have been complicit in covering up abuses. “The conditions of detention for women prisoners in Belarus are appalling,” the experts said. “We call on the authorities to immediately launch effective and transparent investigations into all reported cases of abuse and ensure the protection of witnesses from retaliation.”

On January 29, the UN Group of Independent Experts on Belarus expressed profound concerns over the re-election of Aliaksandr Lukashenka and its likely impact on the already dire human rights situation in Belarus. The Group regretted that by not inviting international independent observers, Belarusian authorities failed to hold genuinely democratic elections. This was also the case during the 2020 presidential election. Since then, real and perceived members of the opposition have been subjected to arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, and denied fair trial rights. Some of these violations may amount to crimes against humanity. The pattern of human rights violations documented so far was clearly part of a government strategy aimed at silencing dissent including any form of freedom of expression and association. The extensive repression has proven effective. With hundreds of thousands of Belarusians having sought exile abroad in recent years, and more than 1,200 political prisoners remaining in detention, there were no candidates to mount genuine opposition to the current ruler. “With Aliaksandr Lukashenka set to stay in office for another five years patterns of repression and human rights violations will continue,” the Group members concluded.

Political prisoner and 2020 presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich, who was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. The nomination was made by Lithuanian MEP Piatras Austryavicius. Belarusian political prisoner and human rights activist Ales Bialiatski was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 together with the Russian human rights organization Memorial and the Ukrainian Center for Civil Liberties.

On January 30, the CoE Parliamentary Assembly adopted a resolution in which it did not recognize the legitimacy of Aliaksandr Lukashenka and the “elections” held in Belarus. “The so-called elections organized in Belarus on 26 January 2025 did not meet the minimum international standards for democratic elections and lacked any democratic credibility, and there are no grounds for recognising the legitimacy of Aliaksandr Lukashenka as president,” the Parliamentary Assembly concluded at the end of an urgent debate called “The urgent need for free and fair elections in Belarus”. The Assembly therefore called on CoE member states to reject the legitimacy of these elections, “to make clear their non-recognition of the election of Aliaksandr Lukashenka to the post of President of Belarus” and “take decisive steps to broaden and intensify targeted sanctions against the regime and those who support its unlawful activities.” The resolution adopted also called on member states to “continue and intensify support for the structures of the Belarusian democratic forces,” led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, “maintain and expand efforts to investigate human rights abuses” and “actively support mechanisms that ensure accountability for those responsible”, as well as “explore measures to facilitate entry and stay in safe and dignified conditions” for Belarusian citizens who flee the Lukashenka regime. The resolution was adopted unanimously. A delegation of the Coordination Council participated in the CoE Parliamentary Assembly meeting for the first time.

During the period under review, representatives of the Lukashenka regime continued to pay great attention to the so-called “presidential elections” held on January 26, once again attempting to convince both domestic and foreign audiences that the process was conducted in accordance with the law and that Belarusians “made the right choice.” During a meeting with the CIS Secretary General and the head of the CIS observation mission, Sergey Lebedev, on January 27, Aliaksandr Lukashenka stated that during the electoral campaign, he and his team tried to ensure everything was done “democratically,” so that “even the very last enemy would not find anything to latch onto.” “I tried not to interfere in the elections, not to conduct excessive campaigning,” he added. That same day, Minister of Internal Affairs Ivan Kubrakou held a meeting dedicated to summing up the work of the ministry during the campaign. “Despite the fact that the elections went smoothly, we must not relax. The situation in the country remains under our control,” he noted.

On January 27, Minister of Information, Marat Markau, told Russian propagandist Konstantin Pridybaylo that the Ministry of Information had sent a written appeal to Google, demanding attention to “violations of the law.” According to him, Google’s alleged interaction with “criminal organizations” raises concerns and “greatly affects Google’s own reputation.” By “criminal organizations,” Markau likely meant independent media outlets exiled from Belarus, which the Lukashenka regime labels as “extremist.”

On the same day, ONT propagandist Ihar Tur, in another episode of his show “Propaganda,” attempted to respond to criticism from opponents and explain why all candidates in the “elections” were “more or less close to the authorities”: “This only means that there were no candidates who simply called for tearing everything down and starting to build something new – supposedly brighter and much better.” The next day, in his Telegram channel, he addressed certain members of the opposition in exile who intend to “initiate public calls for the U.S. and EU to lift unilateral criminal sanctions against Belarus as a reasonable first step towards building dialogue.” He urged them to “continue their political activities,” noting that such work “is being seen and evaluated,” and that the “Homeland provides support to such a “coalition of self-exiles” – “from media assistance to operational support.” In his view, the interests of the Lukashenka regime and this group overlap, while the “gang/sect that begs for sanctions against Belarus” or at least asks for existing sanctions not to be lifted, “must be silenced” – though not in a physical sense”.

On January 28, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to a statement from Australia, Canada, the EU, New Zealand, and the UK, in which these countries negatively assessed the electoral event of January 26, 2025. Among other things, the ministry accused Western countries of using “cliched labels and sanctions threats” and pointed to the existence of “systemic problems” and the “degradation of the so-called collective West’s position on the international stage.” “Such a stance, as objective experience over the past decades has shown, will lead to nothing but further deterioration of relations with Belarus. In turn, normalization of these relations could be beneficial primarily to the initiators of this statement in addressing common problems in the European region and the world,” the ministry stated. On the same day, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Belarus, Ihar Karpenka, called his inclusion in the UK and Canadian sanctions list “the highest possible assessment of our commission’s work in conducting the electoral process.” According to him, those who impose sanctions are interested in making the election results “convenient for the West,” but that will not happen because Belarusians hold elections “in the interest of their country.”

During a broadcast on Radio Minsk on January 28, pro-government politician and one of the “spoiler candidates” Aleh Haidukevich stated that “every presidential candidate knew from the start that Lukashenka would win.” He claimed that supporters of all parties, despite the participation of their leaders in the campaign, still voted for Lukashenka because the country “needs a national leader.” “I want such elections to always take place: without a fifth column, only constructive political forces,” Haidukevich said.

On January 28, pro-government propagandist Aliaksandr Shpakouski urged colleagues and readers of his Telegram channel not to place high hopes on an improvement in foreign policy under Donald Trump’s presidency, since the “peacemaker” Trump had ordered “American NATO satellites” to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, and “the first to rush to comply were the Baltic limitrophes.” “Washington’s desire to ‘create the strongest military’ coupled with the planned doubling of Western countries’ military spending will lead to symmetrical responses from China (USD 296 billion) and Russia (USD 109 billion). Consequently, global military spending will continue to rise. And if military spending and arms production increase, what does that indicate? That is right – preparation for war. And if humanity is preparing for war, then how should we view a possible truce in Ukraine? That is right – as a strategic pause,” Shpakouski argued.

In an interview published by the Russian newspaper Izvestia on January 29, Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhankou claimed that the Belarusian authorities had allegedly experienced “interference in our electoral campaigns” and blamed it on “European institutions” and the EU as a whole, which allegedly “took a course towards non-recognition of the elections” because the victory of the “incumbent head of state” was supposedly not part of their plans. Therefore, Ryzhankou noted, [for the Lukashenka regime] “Russia will always have the key position.” “If the West today forces Russia and Belarus to choose between civilizations, there will simply be no other option. They do not consider that someone could apply such power. But such power can be applied by Russia. We are together with Russia. We have signed an agreement with Moscow on joint security guarantees, which includes the use of nuclear weapons. Moreover, there are agreements to deploy ‘Oreshnik’ in Belarus. This is the most modern weapon, unparalleled even abroad. This is our response – but a deterrent one, not an offensive one,” Ryzhankou ominously predicted. He also stated that “denazification of Ukraine” is necessary: “Honestly, no matter which of my Western colleagues I talk to, I tell them all – stop scaring your people that the Russians will come again to Berlin or Paris, as they did 80 or 200 years ago. There is no such goal, and there cannot be one. Today, there is only one goal – to solve the issue of Ukraine’s denazification and the challenges Russia faces today.” It is worth noting that the term “denazification of Ukraine” was used by Vladimir Putin in his speech on February 24, 2022, to justify launching a full-scale war against the neighboring country