Belarus Review by iSANS — April 27, 2026 

According to Ukrainian monitoring channels, between 20 and 26 April nine UAV flights were recorded in Belarusian airspace — eight Russian and one Ukrainian. Air Force duty units of the Belarusian armed forces were deployed to intercept them. No reports of crashes or shootdowns were recorded.

A delegation led by Zo Myo Tin, Quartermaster General of the Armed Forces of Myanmar, is on a visit to Belarus. The Ministry of Defence reported this on 23 April. As part of the visit, Minister of Defence Viktar Khrenin held talks with the head of the Myanmar delegation. The sides discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation, including its economic dimension. The programme of the visit also includes visits to several enterprises in Minsk and Vitebsk.

From 23 April, a dispatch of conscripts called up for compulsory military service to units of the armed forces begins, reported the Ministry of Defence. In total, around 10,000 personnel are planned to be assigned to staff of the Armed Forces of Belarus, other troops, and military formations. At the same time, around 600 individuals are to be assigned to reserve service. It should be noted that the officially declared number of conscripts has remained unchanged for many years.

A first batch of modernised T-72BM2 tanks has been delivered to a tank unit of the 11th Mechanised Brigade. The Ministry of Defence reported this on 25 April. The T-72BM2 is equipped with a multi-channel gunner’s sight, and firing conditions have been improved through the introduction of a mode allowing weapon control from the commander’s position. The tank is also fitted with modern television and thermal imaging devices, domestically developed reactive armour, and anti-cumulative screens. Its self-sufficiency has been increased through the installation of an auxiliary power unit. The T-72BM2 was developed by engineers and designers of the 140th Repair Plant in Barysau.

According to the commander of the 11th Mechanised Brigade, the delivered batch of T-72BM2 tanks is “only the first stage” of receiving new combat vehicles. Published footage shows at least six tanks. As the train with the delivery was not shown in full, it can be assumed that a company set — around 10 units — was delivered to the troops. It should be recalled that in November 2022, Chairman of the State Military-Industrial Committee Dzmitry Pantus stated that serial modernisation of T-72BM2 tanks for the Belarusian armed forces would begin in 2023. In February 2023, he specified that 20–30 tanks would be delivered annually. However, as noted above, the first deliveries took place only in April 2026.

OJSC “2566 Radio-Electronic Armament Repair Plant” is completing development work on the 9V914-1B calibration vehicle. The State Military-Industrial Committee reported this on 25 April. Its creation is part of a broader effort to deeply modernise the Osa air defence system, following earlier upgrades of its combat and transport-loading vehicles. The 9V914-1B is designed for calibration (precise adjustment and alignment of equipment parameters) of combat vehicles within the Osa system. As part of the modernisation, it has been transferred to a modern component base, significantly improving its operational and technical characteristics. The vehicle is built on the MAZ-6317 chassis.

On 26–27 April, Belarusian democratic forces and the diaspora marked the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster with a series of commemorative events and public statements. In her address, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stressed that up to 70% of radioactive fallout after the accident affected Belarus and linked the consequences not only to radiation but also to the “cover-up” by Soviet authorities. She drew parallels with current policies of Lukashenka, pointing to a lack of transparency around the Astravets nuclear power plant and the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons, which, she said, “turns Belarus into a target” and increases dependence on Russia. On 27 April in Vilnius, representatives of Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, including Denis Kuchynski and Anatol Liabedzka, together with a diplomatic corps from more than 10 countries, took part in a flower-laying ceremony in memory of the victims. On the same day, the “Chernobyl Path-2026” event took place in Vilnius, including a run, a cycling rally and a demonstration with participation of the Belarusian diaspora. “Chernobyl Path-2026” events were organised by Belarusians in other places, including Warsaw.

For reference:
On 26 April 1986, an explosion occurred at the fourth reactor of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the north of Ukraine. Belarus became the most affected country, with around 70% of radioactive contamination falling on its territory, primarily in the south-east. The consequences included mass resettlement, the persistence of exclusion zones and abandoned settlements, and a long-term increase in cancer rates. The disaster has had a lasting impact on Belarusian identity.

Lukashenka’s working trip to the Gomel Region on 24–27 April, traditionally timed to the anniversary of Chernobyl, focused on practical issues of agricultural policy, regional governance and social infrastructure. The trip prioritised the concentration of resources in core sectors (agriculture, infrastructure) and the expansion of the role of large state enterprises in regional development.

In particular, in the Mazyr District on 24 April, Lukashenka sharply criticised the situation in livestock farming, pointing to cases of cattle mortality and problems with fertiliser storage, and demanded tighter oversight. Following inspection reports, he told the regional executive committee head Ivan Krupko: “This is a horror… This is more than a criminal case.” At the same time, he insisted on the accelerated restoration of district-level agro-service networks — repair and maintenance centres intended to compensate for labour shortages and reduce dependence on factories.

On 25 April in the Petrykau District, Lukashenka inspected social infrastructure linked to the Petrykau mining and processing plant of Belaruskali company. He stated that Petrykau should become a “second Salihorsk”, as it falls within the company’s area of responsibility. The focus was on the district hospital, a kindergarten, housing for employees, and coordination between local authorities and the company. The integration of struggling agricultural enterprises into industrial holdings was also discussed, while maintaining personal control at the local level.

On 26 April at Agro-Liaskavichy in the Petrykau District, Lukashenka inspected a dairy complex built with wooden structures and advocated for low-cost, functional solutions in agriculture. His formula was: “The main thing is that it is technological, convenient for livestock — and profitable. There must be economic sense.” He criticised expensive calf-rearing facilities and suggested broader use of local timber: “Our forests are rotting at the edges. Build calf barns.” He also returned to the issue of cattle mortality: according to the head of the State Control Committee Valery Herasimau, the head of one farm had already been placed in pre-trial detention.

During  meetings in the Naroulia District on 27 April, the main focus was on the progress of the sowing campaign. By late April, spring sowing was approximately half completed, with early crops nearly finished. Lukashenka also addressed the return of lands affected by Chernobyl into agricultural use: “We must revive these lands. Whatever it takes — we must return to the lands we had in Soviet times.”

On 22–24 April, Viktar Lukashenka, the eldest son of Lukashenka, travelled to Oman and the United Arab Emirates in the capacity of a “special envoy”, delivering written messages from Lukashenka to the leadership of these countries. On 22 April in Muscat, he was received by Crown Prince Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, where “economic and investment” areas of cooperation were discussed. On 23–24 April, Viktar Lukashenka continued his visit to the UAE, where he met President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and separately Vice President Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Emirati side reported that discussions focused on the “expansion of bilateral cooperation”. The trip took place amid intensified contacts between Minsk and the Gulf states. Earlier in April, Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhankou visited Oman. The format of the visit with the delivery of personal messages and talks at the level of crown princes and UAE leadership indicates the use of a family channel by Lukashenka in pursuing foreign economic interests.

The hybrid crisis on the Belarus–Lithuania border has shifted into a mode of parallel signalling. Both sides declare readiness for contacts while maintaining firm positions on bilateral problems. At the same time, Latvia has become the main area of migration pressure last week, whereas the border with Poland remains quiet.

On 20 April, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry stated its readiness for a “constructive dialogue” and expectation of contacts with the appointed Lithuanian representative. The statement followed remarks by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys about a desire to “normalise relations” with Belarus, made at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, which was also attended by Belarusian representatives. However, on 22 April, Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry clarified that these remarks had been taken out of context and stressed that normalisation would not be possible without the release of political prisoners, the cessation of hybrid attacks, and a change in Belarus’s role in the war against Ukraine.

In parallel, Lithuania continues to consolidate its critical stance in respect of Belarus at the institutional level, using security arguments. On 23 April, the Seimas extended current restrictions on Belarusian and Russian citizens until 31 December 2027. Additional measures under discussion include restrictions on property purchases by Belarusians and new security provisions. Lithuanian intelligence services have simultaneously reinforced a deterrence-oriented stance. On 21 April, the head of the State Security Department warned of “significant risks” in engaging in dialogue with Minsk, citing ongoing Belarusian intelligence activities and influence attempts.

At the same time, pressure at the borders continues in a controlled manner.

The Polish section remains de-escalated: from 17 to 26 April, zero crossing attempts were recorded, according to Straż Graniczna.

A sharp increase is observed on the Latvian border, which has become the main channel of irregular migration pressure. Between 1 and 25 April, 1,501 individuals attempted to cross the border, compared to 297 in March, according to Valsts robežsardze. Smuggling activity also continues, including the transport of cigarettes by water using rafts.

On the Lithuanian border, another smuggling episode involving a UAV (600 packs of cigarettes) was recorded on 22 April.

Overall, the situation at the borders is becoming more complex. Minsk simultaneously applies pressure instruments while maintaining a negotiation window. Lithuania allows for technical contacts but firmly blocks political dialogue through conditions, sanctions and domestic restrictive measures targeting Belarusian exiles — some of which Minsk largely disregards and may partially perceive as advantageous. The Polish section remains under controlled calm, while Latvia has become the primary channel of active pressure.

On 23 April, the European Union adopted a new sanctions package against Belarus, expanding restrictions across several areas, including industry, transit, services, crypto assets, the digital rouble, and anti-circumvention mechanisms. The measures are justified by Belarus’s involvement in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and are primarily aimed at preventing the use of Belarusian territory, companies, and financial infrastructure to circumvent sanctions.

Key elements of the package:

Against the backdrop of sanctions pressure, including in the crypto sector, Belarus continues to develop its domestic crypto infrastructure. The National Bank plans to launch the Belarusian digital rouble in the second half of 2026, with preparations for pilot operations expected to be completed by 1 July. At the same time, the country is preparing to introduce crypto banks. According to the National Bank, these institutions will be allowed to operate with 26 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ton, Solana and Cardano, as well as stablecoins USDT and USDC. Crypto banks will be authorised to perform up to 11 types of operations, including asset custody, exchange, crypto-backed lending, staking, and the issuance of their own tokens.

On 22 April, the General Court of the European Union annulled sanctions against Belarusian businessman Viktar Shevtsov (case T-528/24), finding that the Council of the EU had not provided a “sufficiently specific, precise and consistent body of evidence” to justify their imposition. The court confirmed that Shevtsov had business interests in holography but stated that the EU had not demonstrated the existence of a state monopoly in this sector or that he had benefited from it. It also rejected later arguments by the Council, noting that his status as Honorary Consul of the Philippines did not in itself indicate support for the regime, and that alleged links to the Reshenie bank and the Dudutki museum complex had not been substantiated at the time of the sanctions’ renewal. The ruling concerns sanctions acts in force until 28 February 2026. A subsequent EU decision extending sanctions until 28 February 2027 was not examined in this case.

As of 1 April 2026, 139,343 Belarusian citizens held residence permits in Poland, according to data from the Polish Office for Foreigners. The most common status is temporary residence (83,971 individuals), followed by permanent residence (41,480). An additional 10,203 individuals have subsidiary protection status, 2,253 hold EU long-term resident status, and 1,028 have refugee status. The main grounds for legalisation are employment (64%), family reunification (25%), and education (4%). At the same time, 140,538 Belarusian citizens are registered in Poland’s social insurance system (ZUS), making them the second-largest group of foreign nationals after Ukrainian citizens.

On 22 April, a trial in absentia of Andrei Balmakou, Yauhenia Tachytskaya, Katsyaryna Astrava, and Antanina Naidovich began, “Viasna” Human Rights Centre reported. All of the defendants are charged with facilitating extremist activities, and Naidovich is additionally charged with insulting a government official. Tachytskaya had previously been convicted in absentia in the case of the bombing of an airplane at Machulishchi airfield.

On 23 April, the Investigative Committee issued a press release on the investigation into two criminal cases under the charge of high treason. One of them involves a pensioner from Valozhyn, who is accused of working for Ukrainian intelligence. In connection with another case, BELPOL was mentioned, as well as the Polish agency where Anatol Kotau, who disappeared in 2025, worked. The charges were filed under three articles of the Criminal Code: high treason, financing extremist activities committed by a group of individuals by prior agreement, and embezzlement by abuse of official authority, committed on an especially large scale.

On 23 April, the Ministry of Internal Affairs updated the list of “extremist formations”. The European Humanities University was  added to it. The list now also includes the electoral lists for the elections to the Coordination Council which were recognised as “extremist formations” by decisions of the KGB of 16 April.

The Mahileu Region Prosecutor’s Office reported on its fight against “extremism” in the first quarter of this year. According to the prosecutor’s office, during this period, its employees discovered more than 130 channels on social networks that were aimed “at destabilising the socio-political and socio-economic situation in the country, as well as popularising protest activity”. These resources were reported to the courts, and were subsequently included in the list of “extremist materials”. “In addition, in order to combat extremism, according to the decisions of the prosecutor of the Mahileu region, access was restricted to five Internet resources on which prohibited information had been posted,” the prosecutor’s office reported.

Two ancient icons seized from Catholic priest Henrikh Akalatovich, who was sentenced to eleven years of imprisonment on charges of “high treason” and pardoned in November 2025, were taken to the National Art Museum and put up for auction. The auction is scheduled for 14 May. The authorities thus continue to seize Akalatovich’s property. After his release and expulsion from Belarus, the authorities have already confiscated a car and a plot of land to pay off the “alleged debt” “in accordance with the court’s decision”.

The 65-year-old Catholic priest Anatol Parakhnevich, who served as rector in the Vilejka district and has been in custody for more than a month, suffered a heart attack. According to the available information, he is in serious condition but remains in a pre-trial detention facility. Parakhnevich is possibly accused of “high treason”. The details of the charges are unknown. His whereabouts are also unknown; presumably, he is being held in the KGB detention centre in Minsk. The arrest of Parakhnevich became known on 16 March. Unknown masked men came to arrest him in several cars. His house and church were searched, and then his house was sealed. Parakhnevich has no relatives, which makes it even more difficult to obtain information about him.

The repression of cultural figures continues, “Viasna” Human Rights Centre reported. Searches of people associated with socio-cultural organisations have been taking place in various cities of Belarus in the past week. Some were detained and sent to pre-trial detention centres. Searches and interrogations are conducted by employees of the KGB. They were reportedly looking for foreign financing.

The Belarusian Council for Culture/Belaruska Rada Kultury and a number of cultural initiatives have been recognised as “extremist formations” in Belarus. The relevant decision was made by the KGB on 9 April and published on 24 April.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs added 17 more people to the “List of citizens of the Republic of Belarus, foreign citizens or stateless persons involved in extremist activities”. Among others, neurologist Ruslan Badamshin was included in the list. In 2024, he was sentenced to three years of freedom restriction for participating in protests, and in 2026, he was sentenced to two and a half years of imprisonment for publicly calling for actions aimed at harming national security. A week earlier, the KGB included him in the list of persons involved in “terrorist activities”. There are now 6,543 names on the “extremist list”.

On 14 April, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution “Towards the universal abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances” (Doc. 16375 rev). The document confirmed the unwavering position of the Assembly: the death penalty is incompatible with the principles of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. As the speaker Gala Veldhoen noted, Belarus remains the last country on the continent where this practice persists. PACE condemned the continued use of the death penalty in Belarus, expressing particular concern about the secrecy surrounding the execution of sentences: convicts and their families are not notified in advance, bodies are not returned to relatives, and guarantees of a fair trial are not respected. It was emphasised that the scope of application of the death penalty had been expanded to crimes that do not meet the threshold of the “most serious crimes” under the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Belarus is a party. The use of the death penalty as an instrument of political pressure and repression was also noted. The PACE resolution called on the Belarusian regime to immediately impose a moratorium on the use and execution of death sentences, replace all existing sentences with imprisonment, and stop the practice of secrecy by notifying convicts, their families and lawyers, and returning the bodies.

On 20 April, the UN Group of Independent Experts on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus strongly condemned the Belarusian government’s decision to invalidate the passports of persons formerly detained on political grounds who were forcibly expelled from the country following their release in 2025 and 2026. The Group has conducted interviews with a large number of former detainees who, as a result of this measure, have been left without valid passports – contrary to international law and without legal grounds or justification. These individuals face significant legal and practical consequences, including restrictions on their freedom of movement, preventing them from re-entering their own country and separating them from their families, barriers to accessing legal status, employment, healthcare, and essential services, as well as heightened risks of statelessness or prolonged legal uncertainty. States have an obligation to protect their nationals and to ensure that any administrative measures affecting their rights are consistent with both domestic and international law. The invalidation of passports, while within the sovereign prerogative of States, must comply with applicable legal standards. It constitutes a legal violation when such action is arbitrary, discriminatory, disproportionate, or lacks a clear legal basis or due process. In particular, such measures may amount to violations of fundamental rights protected under international law, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and four articles of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including articles pertaining to freedom of movement, the right to enter one’s own country, the right to recognition as a person before the law, and the principle of non-discrimination. The Group called upon the authorities of Belarus to immediately remedy this situation, restore the rights of affected individuals, and ensure full compliance with their international human rights obligations.

On 20 April, UN experts, including Nils Muižnieks, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus; Matthew Gillett, Chair-Rapporteur, Ganna Yudkivska, Vice-Chair on Communications, Ethan Hee-Seok Shin, Vice-Chair on Follow-Up, Miriam Estrada Castillo and Mr. Mumba Malila, members of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; Gabriella Citroni, Chair-Rapporteur, Grażyna Baranowska, Vice-Chair, Aua Baldé, Ana Lorena Delgadillo Pérez and Mohamed Al Obaidi, members of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Claudia Mahler, Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by the older persons; Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; Alice Jill Edwards, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, expressed grave concern over allegations of prolonged incommunicado detention and detention conditions at the Navapolatsk Correctional Colony in Belarus. “We are gravely concerned that detainees in Navapolatsk Colony may be subjected to prolonged solitary confinement, disciplinary sanctions and physical punishments after suicide attempts, denial of essential medical care and reprisals for attempting to raise complaints, especially after confidential meetings with the Colony’s psychologist,” experts said. “If confirmed, such practices may amount to torture and ill-treatment, and, under certain circumstances, may entail the commission of enforced disappearance. Both torture and enforced disappearance are prohibited under international law, including customary international law,” experts noted, referring to the case of journalist and blogger Ihar Losik, which was the subject of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Opinion N° 45/2023. “Punishing detainees for suicide attempts rather than ensuring urgent psychological and medical care is profoundly disturbing and incompatible with basic human rights standards, including the rights to life, health and freedom from torture and ill-treatment,” the experts said. They also raised concern over the reported 2023 death in custody of an older detainee with health conditions, who was held in punitive isolation without adequate care. It remains unclear whether his death was investigated. “Deaths in custody amid allegations of isolation, denial of care and concealment of information from families, raise the most serious concerns under international law, including the rights to life, liberty and security, and health, as well as the prohibition of torture and enforced disappearance,” the experts said. They urge Belarusian authorities to ensure humane detention conditions, guarantee access to independent medical and psychological care and conduct credible investigations into all reported deaths and serious injuries in custody. They stated that measures must be taken to prevent similar violations from occurring in Belarusian penitentiary facilities and protect inmates against reprisals for their complaints.”

On 21 April, a meeting of the EU Council on Foreign Affairs was held in Luxembourg. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys appealed to the EU countries to unequivocally condemn the decision of the Supreme Court of Belarus to recognise the European Humanities University (EHU) as an “extremist formation”. “On 14 April, Belarus declared this institution an “extremist formation”, and the minister intended to draw attention to the consequences of this decision at the European level and call on the EU to respond,” the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. This may include the imposition of sanctions against Belarusian officials who are involved in the decision regarding the EHU. Budrys also called for additional financial and political support for the EHU. Vilius Šadauskas, EHU Rector, named the most obvious risks for university teachers and students. “The opportunity to return home for students and teachers who have relatives in Belarus poses a serious challenge. Every border crossing becomes a potential risk — sanctions or political or legal persecution due to ties with the university are possible,” he said. “We are probably the first university to be declared an extremist formation, although our activities are education, science and public education,” Šadauskas said and assured that the university would continue to work.

On 21 April, a meeting of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the topic of “Countering transnational repression” was held. The PACE Rapporteur on transnational repression, Konstantinos Efstathiou, presented the information received following the meeting with officials in Interpol. Efstathiou supported the position of the representatives of the delegation of the Coordination Council to PACE on the need to check requests to Interpol made by Belarus for possible political motivation, as well as to draw the attention of the Interpol General Secretariat to the repeated abuse of the organisation’s mechanisms by the Lukashenka regime. He noted that Belarus is a prime example of a country where the Interpol notification system is used for political persecution of dissidents abroad.

In its annual report “The State of the World’s Human Rights” published on 21 April, Amnesty International noted that the situation of human rights violations in Belarus has not improved: the authorities continue to restrict freedom of expression and assembly, suppress dissent, and use torture and other forms of ill-treatment. At the same time, the “sense of international isolation of Belarus” has weakened after the diplomatic initiatives of the United States, including the lifting of some sanctions in exchange for the release of political prisoners, Amnesty International stated.

On 22 April, the Polish Senate adopted a resolution on the 5th anniversary of the imprisonment of Andrzej Poczobut, a journalist, one of the leaders of the Polish community in Belarus and a Sakharov Prize laureate. In the document, the senators again demanded his immediate release. The resolution emphasised that the Polish parliament appealed to the Belarusian authorities to stop the repression, release all political prisoners and begin a political dialogue with the opposition both inside the country and in exile. The senators expressed their full solidarity with Belarusian activists who advocate for democracy and freedom. The Senate also recalled the 30th anniversary of “Viasna” Human Rights Centre, expressing its conviction that the efforts and sacrifice of Belarusian human rights defenders will become the foundation of a future free Belarus.

The head of the Polish Senate, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, met with the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, founder of “Viasna” Human Rights Centre, Ales Bialiatski. She noted that Poland does not forget not only about Andrzej Poczobut, but also about all political prisoners in Belarus. “This help and solidarity that we feel from the Polish society is an important incentive to continue our work. I am convinced that our joint work, your assistance to Belarusian refugees and pressure on the Belarusian authorities to release Belarusian political prisoners will bring results,” Bialiatski said. Bialiatski also met with Polish President Karol Nawrocki and held a number of political meetings in Lithuania, where, among other things, security threats for students and graduates of the European Humanities University and their families were discussed.
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