Belarus Review by iSANS — June 22, 2026 

According to Ukrainian monitoring channels, six Russian drones were detected in Belarusian airspace between 15 and 21 June 2026. Throughout the week, Belarusian Air Force aircraft on alert duty were scrambled almost daily to intercept them. No reports were received regarding the crash or destruction of the drones.

On 15 June, Aliaksandr Lukashenka, in an interview with Al Arabiya, apologised to Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his previous insulting remarks. At the same time, he acknowledged that Belarus is militarily vulnerable and lies “in the palm of the hand” of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

From 17 to 19 June, the Third International Security Industry Exhibition “National Security. Belarus-2026” was held in Minsk. According to the State Authority for Military Industry, Security Council State Secretary Aliaksandar Valfovich stated at the opening ceremony that “the international situation has reached a boiling point” and that “the global and regional security architecture built over decades has essentially collapsed”. At the same time, he described the forum as a contribution to strengthening peace.

The exhibition’s main thematic areas included unmanned technologies and counter-drone systems, electronic warfare, satellite and secure communications, cybersecurity, armoured vehicles, small arms and personal protective equipment. Particular attention was also paid to IT solutions designed for law enforcement agencies and other security structures.

A significant share of the exhibition consisted of Belarusian developments. Among them were a laser anti-drone rifle capable of destroying drones at distances of up to 200 metres and damaging their cameras at up to 500 metres, the Groza-R5 electronic warfare rifle, and the Adunok-M250 robotic chassis. Visitors were also shown the VTOL reconnaissance drone Vtolodron. Other counter-drone systems included the Veresk complex with the Shmel interceptor drone and the Rokot mobile fire system.

Russian products also occupied a prominent place at the exhibition, with some being displayed in Belarus for the first time. Rostec presented the Falcon tactical drone with a range of up to 180 km and the Lightning-13 with a range of up to 50 km. The Kalashnikov Concern showcased the KUB-10ME loitering munition, capable of striking targets at distances of up to 100 km, and the RUS-PE reconnaissance-strike system with a range of up to 70 km. The latter uses artificial intelligence elements for target acquisition. The Russian display also included the Lancet-E loitering munition and the SKAT 350M reconnaissance drone.

From 17 to 26 June, a mobilisation exercise involving regional military commissariats is taking place in Hrodna Region. According to the Ministry of Defence, the exercise rehearses the full transition of military commissariats from peacetime to wartime operations, as well as selected mobilisation procedures. These include reinforcing military commissariats with reservists, notifying reservists and ensuring their arrival at assembly points, receiving and equipping personnel, and conducting unit combat coordination.

According to state media, the exercise covers all district military commissariats in the region. Up to 500 reservists are expected to be called up to reinforce the Hrodna Region commissariats, while approximately 8,000 reservists will be notified. Similar exercises are conducted annually in different regions of Belarus: Mahiliou Region in 2021, Homiel Region in 2022, Minsk Region in 2023, Vitsebsk Region in 2024, Brest Region in 2025 and Hrodna Region in 2026.

On 18 June, Aliaksandr Lukashenka chaired a meeting on adjustments to the Armed Forces Construction and Development Plan for 2026–2030. The discussion was prompted by the results of a combat readiness inspection of the Belarusian Armed Forces conducted between January and March 2026. According to Lukashenka, the review identified “a number of factors and aspects” that required analysis and incorporation into the revised plan.

Lukashenka identified three priorities for the updated plan: improving air defence effectiveness, countering drones and training officers. Speaking about unmanned aviation, he argued against excessive reliance on strike drones. In his view, priority should instead be given to domestically produced electronic warfare and air defence systems. He described officer training as the “number one issue”. Lukashenka also stressed the need for enhanced protection of the southern border with Ukraine, describing this requirement as beyond question.

Following the meeting, Defence Minister Viktar Khrenin announced additional areas under discussion. These included the creation of new branches within the Belarusian Armed Forces, a review of troop deployment arrangements and changes to the air defence concept in response to the threat posed by fixed-wing drones. Khrenin did not specify which new branches are planned.

From 16 to 18 June, anti-terrorist exercises under the official title “Storm-Antiterror 2026” were held in Mahiliou Region. The exercises involved units of the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry for Emergency Situations, Investigative Committee, State Security Committee (KGB), and representatives of local authorities. Similar inter-agency anti-terrorist exercises have been regularly conducted in different regions of Belarus since late 2022.

The exercises rehearsed the blocking of populated areas and operation of checkpoints, terrain reconnaissance using drones, filtration measures, coordination through unified command posts, and the suppression and “elimination” of a simulated illegal armed group. One of the main training locations was the Drybin District.

On 19 June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demanded that Aliaksandr Lukashenka dismantle relay stations allegedly used to guide Russian drone strikes against Ukraine, setting a one-week deadline and warning that otherwise Ukrainian forces would do so themselves. On 20 June, Zelenskyy clarified that Ukrainian intelligence had identified four such relay stations in Homiel and Brest regions, which allegedly assist strikes against targets in Zhytomyr, Rivne and Volyn regions. Official Minsk has not yet publicly responded to the ultimatum.

In subsequent statements, Zelenskyy argued that Belarus must demonstrate in practice its stated unwillingness to participate in the war and cease any technical support for Russian strikes. In subsequent statements, Zelenskyy argued that Belarus must demonstrate in practice its stated unwillingness to participate in the war and cease any technical support for Russian strikes. He also said that Belarus supplies Russia with fuel and thereby continues to facilitate Moscow’s aggression against Ukraine.

On 20 June, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stated that the democratic forces take seriously Ukraine’s warnings about the risk of Belarus being drawn into the war. She recalled that Russia’s 2022 invasion began from the Belarusian territory and that the Lukashenka regime continues to support Russia’s aggression. Tsikhanouskaya referred to a roundtable in Kyiv attended by the Mission of Belarusian Democratic Forces in Ukraine, experts and representatives of BELPOL, where Belarus’s militarisation and Russia’s plans were discussed. She stated that Lukashenka must stop supporting aggression and that Belarusians must not become instruments of “someone else’s war”.

On 17 June, a drone struck a bus carrying a Belarusian youth football team in Russia’s Bryansk Region. According to Russian authorities, the bus was carrying 44 people, including 28 children, travelling from Rechytsa to the Russian resort city of Gelendzhik on the Black Sea coast. A Belarusian citizen accompanying the group was killed, while several others, including children, were injured. Russian investigative authorities classified the incident as a terrorist attack. The Russian and Belarusian sides blamed Ukraine for the incident. The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded official explanations from Kyiv, while Lukashenka stated that available information indicated the strike had been carried out by a drone of Ukrainian origin. The Ukrainian side categorically rejected the accusations. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that Ukrainian drones had not been used against targets in Bryansk Region during the period in question. Kyiv described the allegations as false, while a number of Ukrainian commentators and media outlets suggested the possibility of a Russian provocation. No independent confirmation of the circumstances of the incident has so far been presented.

On 22 June, the United Nations Security Council is scheduled to hold a meeting on “Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine”. Belarus has been invited to participate in the discussion. Belarus’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Valiantsin Rybakou, is expected to address the meeting.

On 15 June, the full version of Lukashenka’s interview with Al Arabiya, recorded on 12 June, was published. Most of his remarks concerned Russia’s war against Ukraine, relations with the United States, and the regime’s efforts to portray itself as a party interested in de-escalation. Lukashenka stated that Belarus does not intend to enter the war because doing so would make the country vulnerable to Ukrainian strikes, extend the frontline, and could lead to a direct confrontation between Belarus and Russia on one side and NATO on the other. He also claimed that Ukraine “knows” Belarus poses no threat and described Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s statements as “clumsy” and “unnecessary”. Separately, Lukashenka again proposed a trilateral negotiating format involving himself, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to him, Belarus, Russia and Ukraine should “sit down at the negotiating table together” and agree on how to overcome the consequences of the war. He also stated that he does not rule out a meeting with Donald Trump, but stressed that any such talks would need to be carefully prepared in advance and include a broad package of issues, including embassies, the economy, finance and the release of convicted persons.

On 19 June, Reuters reported that supporters of Anatol Kotau had appealed to the United States, Poland, the European Union and the United Nations to investigate his disappearance. The appeal was also sent to U.S. presidential envoy John Coale, who has been involved in negotiations with Minsk over the release of political prisoners. According to Reuters, Coale said that he would raise Kotau’s case with Minsk. Kotau’s current whereabouts remain unknown. Earlier, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office said that European governments and the United States had been informed about the case.

U.S. President’s Special Envoy John Coale promised new releases of political prisoners in Belarus. This was in response to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Facebook post published on the anniversary of the release of 14 political prisoners, including her husband Siarhei Tsikhanouski. “One year ago, I hugged my beloved husband Siarhei Tsikhanouski after five long years apart. I want every family of every political prisoner in Belarus to feel the same joy. I am deeply grateful to all who helped make his release possible, especially John Coale and Christopher Welby Smith,” — she wrote. Coale reposted the message and replied, “There will be more!”

On 19 June, the European Council once again referred to Belarus in its conclusions on Ukraine. EU leaders called on Russia and Belarus to immediately ensure the safe and unconditional return to Ukraine of all illegally deported and displaced Ukrainian children and other civilians. The European Council also condemned military support provided to Russia by Iran, Belarus and North Korea and called on all countries to cease any direct or indirect assistance to Moscow’s war against Ukraine. The document reaffirmed EU support for Ukraine, welcomed the opening of the first cluster of accession negotiations, called for the rapid adoption of the 21st sanctions package and agreed to extend sanctions against Russia for another year.

On 16 June, Pavel Latushka appealed to the European External Action Service regarding problems faced by Belarusians in opening and using bank accounts in the EU. According to the United Transitional Cabinet, restrictions affect Belarusian citizens who are awaiting decisions on residence permits or international protection and are legally residing in EU member states but have not yet received residence cards. Latushka stated that the problem had worsened following the “consular decree”, while cautious interpretations of regulations by banks were leading to the blocking of banking services. He proposed that the EEAS issue clarifications, recognise temporary documents as sufficient and recommend that banks refrain from restricting access to basic payment services.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs added another 25 people to the “List of citizens of the Republic of Belarus, foreign citizens or stateless persons involved in extremist activities”. There are now 6,728 names on the list.

As of 16 June 2026, at least 129 people have been convicted under the charge of high treason, “Viasna” Human Rights Centre reported. The trials under this charge are held behind closed doors, so their essence remains unknown. The penalty for this crime ranges from imprisonment (from seven to 15 years) to the death penalty. At least six families (14 people) and 16 women are among the convicts. People of various professions are found guilty of high treason, including independent journalists, workers, a priest, a musician, a media manager, a businessman, an IT specialist, a cultural manager, former security forces and military officers, and politicians. At least 43 Belarusians are convicted on this charge for supporting Ukraine. 15 politicians and activists received sentences in absentia. At least four convicts are of retirement age. At least 11 convicts in this group have serious health problems.

“Viasna” Human Rights Centre reported that at least 159 people have been convicted in Belarus for money transfers to solidarity funds and other initiatives recognised by the authorities as “extremist” and “terrorist”. According to human rights activists, there are 26 IT specialists and 33 women among them. 44 people were convicted for donations in support of Ukraine. 46 political prisoners convicted of donating money were pardoned, but hundreds of Belarusians, under threat of criminal charges, were forced by the authorities to pay off with non-procedural donations in multiple amounts. The maximum term of imprisonment for money transfers to “extremist” and “terrorist” organisations is nine years. Five individuals were sentenced to this term. Mikalai Vasilevich, a massage therapist, was sentenced to a record nine and a half years imprisonment. He was tried twice, for 54 donations to various foundations.

Human rights defenders know of 200 people convicted in the Belarusian Hajun case. The total number of detainees is believed to be much higher. Detentions continue to this day all over Belarus, and trials take place almost every day. It is known that some people are released on bail pending trial. Some of the defendants are being offered to pay off criminal liability through “voluntary contributions” to government organisations. The proposals are received at the stage of detention or before the trial. Confirmations of such transfers are attached to the case file as mitigating circumstances, but it is not known whether they affect the verdict. The defendants who made the contributions were sentenced to both “restriction of freedom” and imprisonment. The widespread use of the practice of “voluntary contributions” has been known since the summer of 2025. At first, political prisoners wrote to their relatives asking them to do “charity work”, then the same requests began to be received through defence attorneys. Human rights defenders know of a case where a detainee in the Belarusian Hajun case was forced to make a “voluntary contribution” for release without initiation of a criminal case. For one message to the Belarusian Hajun chatbot, he was offered to transfer several thousand USD to the account of the Republican Centre for the Organisation of Medical Response. “He paid. They didn’t give any papers to confirm it, there was only an oral agreement: if he pays, they forget about him,” a source reported to “Viasna”. It is known that after the transfer, he remained at large.

Since 2021, more than 80 environmental organisations have been forcibly liquidated, and about 60 more have stopped working voluntarily due to pressure from the authorities. This was stated in an analytical review prepared by Ecodome with the support of Zelenaja Belarus (Green Belarus) alliance and Zelenaja Set’ (Green Network). In total, more than 140 thematic NGOs have been liquidated. Among them were the oldest and most influential eco-organisations – Akhova ptushak Batskayshyny, Ecodome, Bagna, and Minskoje Velosipednoje Obshestvo (Minsk Bicycle Society). Ecodome was recognised as an “extremist formation” in 2022, and Zelenaja Set’ – in July 2025. A number of environmental media resources were included in the list of “extremist materials”, some activists and experts went through administrative and criminal prosecution and were forced to emigrate. The authors of the report noted that until 2020, the environmental sector actively interacted with government agencies, participated in the development of relevant legislation and public discussions. However, after the 2020 presidential “elections” and the subsequent mass protests, the situation has changed dramatically. Some environmental activists faced administrative arrests, criminal prosecution, searches, dismissals and forced emigration. As of early May 2026, at least 19 political prisoners in Belarus are associated with the environmental movement.

Political prisoner Aliaksandra Kasko, who was sentenced to ten years of imprisonment, underwent surgery in custody. Kasko’s health had seriously deteriorated, she had been diagnosed with a cyst on her ovary, but the administration of IK-4 in Homel did not respond to her complaints. As a result, the cyst ruptured, and Kasko urgently needed surgery. She has already been returned to the squad. Kasko was detained in February 2023 after returning to Belarus from abroad. She was tried on charges of inciting hostility, creating an extremist formation, illegal actions with respect to personal data, facilitating extremist activities, insulting Lukashenka, slandering Lukashenka, insulting a government official, and insulting a judge. The security forces opened another criminal case against her in the spring of 2025. The verdict is still unknown.

A prisoner of Homel women’s colony IK-4 attempted suicide and then fell into a coma, the human rights initiative Dissidentby reported. It is known that the woman was not convicted under a political article.

Last week, the persecution of individuals related to  the European Humanities University has continued. Earlier, it became known that a criminal case had been opened related to the financing of the EHU, starting in 2016. According to “Viasna” Human Rights Centre, at first security services were coming to people’s apartments to conduct searches and interrogations. Now KGB officers call people who are somehow involved in the EHU and invite them to a “conversation”. It was not specified what happens at such “conversations” and what their consequences are.

Another five members of Kalinouski Regiment are going to be tried in absentia. The Investigative Committee completed a preliminary investigation and handed over the case file to the Prosecutor General’s Office for referral to the court. The special procedure (in absentia investigation) against Mikalai Boyka, Yury Makitau, Natallia Nikitsina, Krystsina Stankevich and Mikhail Chuprynski was launched on 27 May. They are accused of creating or participating in a criminal organisation, conspiring to seize state power, creating or participating in an “extremist formation”, participating in an armed formation or armed conflict on the territory of a foreign state, facilitating extremist activities, undergoing education or training to participate in extremist activities, and organising the activities of a terrorist organisation and participating in it.

The Dissidentby human rights initiative reported confirmed cases where people who were awaiting a decision on international protection in Poland were convicted under criminal political charges after being deported to Belarus. Those deported in 2026 were convicted in cases initiated back in 2022. Earlier there have already been reports of cases of deportation of people who were waiting for a decision on international protection. Dissidentby called on Belarusians who are at risk of persecution in Belarus to contact organisations that help with migration and protection issues and closely monitor all decisions of government agencies. The sooner a person finds out about the decision, the more time they have to appeal it, and missing the appeal deadline may deprive them of the chance to remedy the situation.

On 15 June, Belarusian activist Viktar Klimus was detained in Armenia at Yerevan airport. The Armenian border guards reported that his name was in the international search database. Klimus flew from Poland to Armenia “on a working visit”. He was released later that day. “Alive. Healthy. Free. Thank you to everyone who was worried and supportive!” he wrote on Facebook. The abuse of Interpol and multilateral treaties on legal assistance are among the tools of transnational repression frequently used by the Lukashenka regime.

On 17 June, speaking at the plenary session of the European Parliament, where he was invited as a Sakharov Prize laureate, former political prisoner, journalist and Polish community activist Andrzej Poczobut said that repression in Belarus must be stopped. He thanked the European Parliament and Roberta Metsola personally for their position and statements in defence of Poles in Belarus, political prisoners, and victims of repression. “I want you to know that your voice is heard not only in the free world. It breaks through the prison walls,” Poczobut said, speaking in Polish. According to him, this voice can soften the jailers, who know that people still remember an imprisoned person, despite the years spent in jail. Poczobut was welcomed by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. She declared her support for Belarusian political prisoners and stressed that the European Parliament will continue to seek their release.

On 19 June, Andrzej Poczobut received another award, which was awarded to him during his imprisonment. The World Association of Polonia Mass Media awarded Poczobut a statuette “For Freedom of Speech” shortly after his detention. Last week at the headquarters of the Polish Press Agency, along with the statuette, Andrzej Poczobut also received a special gift and a letter signed by journalists and agency staff.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Belarus, Nils Muižnieks, presented his regular report at the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council. It stated that Belarus continues to systematically and grossly violate its international human rights obligations through ongoing politically motivated repression and a complete crackdown on freedom of expression, assembly and association. The Special Rapporteur examined continued severe ill-treatment in detention facilities, the continuing trend of transnational repression through trials in absentia and denial of documents, harassment of families, indefinite extensions of the deprivation of liberty for individuals convicted on politically motivated charges, the misuse of counter-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation and the violation of rights of persons who have been released from detention. He stressed that while the release of persons – more than 150 in 2025 and 250 in March 2026 – recognised by human rights defenders as political prisoners is welcome, the forcible expulsion from Belarus of many of those released indicates the lack of an overall improvement in the state of civil and political rights. He called for Belarus to end persecution for the legitimate exercise of civil and political rights; release and provide redress to all persons detained on politically motivated charges, including those held incommunicado; and put an end to transnational repression and the persecution of persons living in exile. The Special Rapporteur separately analysed violations of cultural rights through targeted repression and coercive restructuring of cultural space, education, language use and historical narratives, where manifestations of cultural and national identity and linguistic affiliation are increasingly treated as markers of political opposition, and made relevant recommendations.

On 16 June, the European Parliament adopted a resolution “Countering transnational repression – towards an EU strategy to protect Europe’s sovereignty and democratic values” (2025/2179(INI)). The resolution stated that TNR constitutes a serious and growing threat to democracy, a human rights violation, and a form of foreign interference, undermining democratic governance, the rule of law, fundamental rights and the sovereignty and security of host states and their ability to ensure the protection of persons residing on their territory and may constitute a crime against humanity within the meaning of Article 7(h) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, taking into account the systematic and widespread nature of such acts. The resolution named Belarus among prominent perpetrators of TNR in Europe and globally along with Russia, China and Iran. “Belarus conducts TNR at an alarming scale, including on EU territory, notably through physical violence, the abuse of Interpol mechanisms, denial of travel documents, the use of spyware, coercive consular practices, forced returns, asset seizures and intimidation. It uses Interpol’s Red Notice system to target political opponents in exile, and targets the diaspora and dissidents, including those residing in the EU, through criminal cases, special in-absentia trials and coercion-by-proxy,” the resolution said. The European Parliament stressed TNR committed on territories of EU member states is part of a broader strategy of foreign interference aimed at weakening democratic institutions and societies and directly interferes with the Union’s internal democratic space by silencing voices, fragmenting communities and generating fear and self-censorship, while also undermining the EU’s external action by restricting the ability of individuals residing in the EU to advocate for democracy, human rights and accountability in non-EU countries, and recommended EU bodies and member states to undertake measures aimed at preventing exploitation of the ordinary operation of administrative, financial, and migration systems, including compliance-driven financial controls, rigid documentation requirements and fragmented data-handling practices.

On 18 June, the European Parliament adopted a resolution “Deteriorating situation of political prisoners in Belarus, in particular the case of Aliaksandra Pulinovich”. Parliament strongly condemns the continued repression of political prisoners in Belarus, highlighting the case of Aliaksandra Pulinovich, who was detained in 2024, at the age of 16, and sentenced to more than ten years of imprisonment after being accused of involvement in anti-war graffiti actions in the ‘Black Nightingales’ case. Members of the European Parliament called for the immediate and unconditional release of Pulinovich and all political prisoners, condemning the Belarusian authorities’ misuse of anti-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation to criminalise anti-war expression and solidarity with Ukraine, and to silence peaceful dissent, including among young people. They denounced the ongoing ill-treatment of detainees and urged the authorities to end torture, incommunicado detention, denial of medical care, and restrictions on access to lawyers and family members, as well as to investigate deaths in custody and allegations of torture. Parliament stressed that the release of all political prisoners and an end to repression remain prerequisites for any meaningful political dialogue or economic cooperation with Belarus. MEPs also called on the EU and international partners to step up efforts to secure the release of all political prisoners, strengthen and strictly enforce targeted sanctions against those responsible for repression, and support international accountability efforts for crimes committed by the Lukashenka regime.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Seamus Boland released a joint video message “Freedom for all political prisoners in Belarus”. It was recorded in Brussels on 17 June 2026. Tsikhanouskaya stressed that hundreds of people still remain behind bars and urged not to forget about them. Boland stated that the EESC will continue to support the Belarusian civil society and advocate for the release of all political prisoners.

OCCRP, the Belarusian Investigative Centre and Deutsche Welle published an investigation into the disappearance of Anatol Kotau, a former Belarusian official and opposition figure who left the post of deputy head of the Department for Financing State Bodies at the Main Financial Directorate of the Office of the President of Belarus in 2020. Kotau, who lived in Poland with his wife and young son, travelled to Türkiye in August 2025 and disappeared on the day of his arrival. He had previously been sentenced in absentia by the Lukashenka regime to 12 years’ imprisonment on charges of “conspiracy to seize power” and “leading an extremist formation”. The investigation found that Kotau boarded a yacht in Trabzon that was heading towards Sochi and was likely intercepted near Abkhazia by a Russian coast guard vessel. Kotau was reportedly taken from the yacht onto a patrol boat and then disappeared. The circumstances of the case, which suggest possible coordination between Russian and Belarusian security-linked networks, also raise questions about the role of the Turkish authorities, who did not open a full investigation into Kotau’s disappearance. The suspected abduction and enforced disappearance of Kotau are viewed by observers as a likely case of transnational repression by the Lukashenka regime in cooperation with Russia. If confirmed, the operation would represent one of the most significant known cases of Belarusian transnational repression against an opposition figure residing in the European Union.

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Best regards, iSANS team