Belarus Review by iSANS — March 16, 2026 

According to Ukrainian monitoring channels, between 9 and 15 March at least 11 UAV flights were recorded in Belarusian airspace: nine Russian and two Ukrainian. On-duty aviation assets of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus (AF RB) were involved in interception efforts. Reports indicated that two drones crashed.

On 13 March, Aliaksandr Lukashenka stated that several days earlier a Ukrainian drone had crashed in Belarus, injuring a woman. He emphasized that Ukraine had not conducted a strike on Belarus and that the drone fell due to the influence of a Russian electronic warfare system. According to Lukashenka, this was not the first such incident, and both Russian and Ukrainian drones had previously fallen in the Homiel region. According to media reports, the incident occurred in the settlement of Lenina (Dobrush district), several hundred metres from the Russian border.

Another UAV crash was reported on 14 March in the settlement of Rassvet (Dobrush district), located about 20 km from the Russian border and 30 km from the Ukrainian border. The type of UAV and its national affiliation remain unknown.

The combat readiness inspection conducted by the Ministry of Defence continued throughout the week. The ministry reported that personnel from the medical unit of the 6th Mechanized Brigade carried out tasks as part of command-staff exercises. Reservists called up for training practised casualty evacuation, reception and examination of patients, and the provision of qualified medical care.

It was also reported that units of the Western Operational Command were preparing for a comprehensive exercise that will serve as a key stage of the ongoing inspection. Units conducted combined marches, moved to concentration areas, and prepared weapons and equipment for training combat tasks. Measures to counter UAVs and sabotage-reconnaissance groups of a notional adversary were also rehearsed.

According to photographs published by the Ministry of Defence press service, units were loading equipment onto railway platforms at the Porechye station (located near the Gozhsky training ground).

The combat readiness inspection conducted on the orders of Aliaksandr Lukashenka also continued. According to the BelTA news agency, on 9 March the inspection began in the Air Force and Air Defence Forces. During the inspection, units of the 15th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, the 120th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, and the 62nd Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment conducted marches to designated areas and assumed combat duty.

In the Chashniki district (Vitsebsk region), protection of the Belarusian State District Power Plant was rehearsed. For this purpose, Tor-M2K air defence missile systems were deployed, along with a unit of the 103rd Airborne Brigade.

According to State Secretary of the Security Council Aliaksandr Valfovich, the inspection assessed the ability of the Air Force and Air Defence Forces to repel enemy air attack assets. Aircraft from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, DOSAAF, the State Border Committee, and the Ministry of Defence were involved. Practical live-fire exercises were conducted by both aviation and air defence missile systems, while Internal Troops units acted as the simulated adversary.

Commander of the Air Force and Air Defence Forces Andrei Lukyanovich stated that during the inspection units carried out marches, assumed combat duty, reinforced the air defence system, and aviation units relocated to alternate airfields. Air defence missile troops strengthened the air defence network, while radio-technical troops expanded the radar coverage area. All activities were carried out within tight timeframes.

On 13 March, Aliaksandr Lukashenka stated that the inspection of the Air Force and Air Defence Forces had produced generally satisfactory results. On the same day, Aliaksandr Valfovich announced the completion of the combat readiness inspection conducted on Lukashenka’s orders.

On 9 March, the Belarusian Ministry of Defence announced that in 2026 two female cadets would be admitted to the Military Academy to study the specialty “operation of state aviation aircraft.” The cadets will train to operate both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. The press release noted that the decision was taken due to the growing interest among women in pilot training, as the academy had not admitted female pilots since 2010. In recent years, the number of specialties at higher military educational institutions open to women has gradually expanded.

On 12 March, during a meeting with journalists dedicated to the Day of the Internal Troops, Commander of the Internal Troops Mikalai Karpiankou spoke about the reorganisation of several units, according to the BelTA news agency.

The “Buran” special purpose unit (stationed in Homiel and Mazyr) has been transformed into a separate military unit (military unit 3033). In the near future, a centre for unmanned aerial aviation will be established within the unit. A similar expansion is planned for the “Storm” special purpose unit, stationed in Brest. In practice, this means that the staffing levels of both Buran and Storm will increase from company to battalion size.

In addition, the 1st Police Brigade (military unit 5448) will be reorganised into a operational-purpose brigade, while the 2nd Police Brigade (military unit 3310) will be converted into a special-purpose brigade.

On 12 March, Commander of the Air Force and Air Defence Forces Andrei Lukyanovich stated that in 2026 the on-duty forces of the Air Force and Air Defence had carried out five instances of “combat employment,” meaning real operational engagements by aviation and air defence missile units. As a result, three UAVs posing a threat were destroyed.

On 13 March, Aliaksandr Lukashenka commented on statements from Ukraine suggesting that the “Oreshnik” missile system deployed in Belarus should be considered a legitimate NATO target. According to Lukashenka, such statements are “complete nonsense.” He stressed that Belarus does not intend to strike Vilnius, Warsaw, or Kyiv, and views Oreshnik exclusively as a defensive system. At the same time, he indicated that Minsk expects neighbouring states to refrain from pressure, suggesting that disputes should be resolved “in a humane way.”

Lukashenka also emphasised the mobility of the Oreshnik system, noting that decoy vehicles could be used to conceal the real launcher. “Ten vehicles may move along a route. From above it will look like ten ‘Oreshniks’, but in fact there will be only one,” he said. This approach complicates the identification of the actual launch platform and increases the system’s survivability.

He also noted that the acquisition of the Oreshnik system became possible thanks to the personal assistance of Vladimir Putin, although Belarus, according to Lukashenka, purchased the system with its own funds.

On 9–14 March, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a series of international meetings in Italy and Latvia focused on support for Belarusian democratic forces, humanitarian issues, and regional security. In Rome, she met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Foreign Minister Antonio Taiani, and Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana, as well as with the parliamentary group “For a Democratic Belarus.” The discussions addressed the release of political prisoners, support for repressed individuals and their families, sanctions policy, and the Lukashenka regime’s involvement in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Tsikhanouskaya stressed the need to continue international pressure on the regime and called on Italy to support humanitarian initiatives, including the International Humanitarian Fund for Political Prisoners. Particular attention was also paid to issues concerning the Belarusian diaspora, visa policy, and parliamentary-level cooperation.

On 12 March, Tsikhanouskaya visited Latvia, where she met with President Edgars Rinkēvičs, Foreign Minister Baiba Braže, and the parliamentary group “For a Democratic Belarus.” The discussions covered sanctions pressure on the regime, support for released political prisoners, assistance to Belarusians in exile, and coordination of actions in international formats, including the NB8 and UN platforms. Tsikhanouskaya also emphasised the importance of supporting Ukraine and noted Belarus’s role in regional security.

On 13 March, during a working trip to the Dribin district of the Mogilev region, Aliaksandr Lukashenka commented on the content of Belarus–US contacts and confirmed the possibility of a new round of negotiations. According to him, Minsk is discussing a bilateral agenda with Washington – “ranging from restoring the normal functioning of the embassy to the release of so-called political prisoners.” At the same time, he emphasised that Belarus’s relations with Russia and China are “bracketed out” and not part of the discussions. Lukashenka also stated that the US side raises the issue of releasing prisoners during the talks. According to him, the regime intends to maintain a tough approach, warning that if anyone attempts to “repeat 2020,” the response will be “extremely harsh.” At the same time, his rhetoric on releases appeared to shift somewhat: Lukashenka no longer insists as categorically on deporting released prisoners from the country and stated that those released may remain in Belarus if they choose to do so, provided they continue to live “within the existing legal framework.”

On 10 March, Delfi.lt, citing sources in Lithuania, reported that US President’s Special Envoy for Belarus John Coale is expected to arrive in Minsk on 18 March.

According to statements by Aliaksandr Lukashenka on 12 March, Belarusian Minister of Natural Resources Sergei Maslyak was caught taking a bribe and is currently in pre-trial detention. Maslyak’s last public appearance was on 7 March, when he participated in the Minsk Ski Race.

On 10 March, Aliaksandr Lukashenka heard a report on the current activities of the National Bank and the tasks of the financial system in the context of the country’s economic development. The meeting was attended by National Bank Chairman Roman Halouchanka, Prime Minister Aliaksandr Turchyn, Head of the Presidential Administration Dzmitry Krutoi, First Deputy Prime Minister Mikalai Snapkou, and First Deputy Chairman of the National Bank Aliaksandr Yehorau. Lukashenka stressed the need to more actively develop foreign economic projects beyond traditional markets — particularly in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. As examples, he mentioned potential projects in Oman and Algeria related to the production of mineral fertilisers and the development of industrial cooperation. The meeting also discussed the production of organic fertilisers, the use of waste from the potash industry, and measures to increase soil fertility. According to Raman Halouchanka, the discussion also addressed the situation on the currency and financial markets, the state of international reserves, and the role of the banking system in supporting exports and international projects. He stated that Belarus’s financial system “feels quite confident,” has sufficient assets, and is ready to expand financing for exporters, including projects involving localisation of production abroad and the development of logistics infrastructure.

On 13 March, it became known that an Austrian court had definitively refused to extradite Ukrainian businessman Dmytro Firtash to the United States, recognising his diplomatic immunity obtained through Belarus. Since 2021, Firtash has been listed as an adviser to Belarus’s Permanent Representation to international organisations in Vienna, and the Belarusian side sent a diplomatic note to the headquarters of UNIDO designating him as a representative to the organisation. Although Austria’s Foreign Ministry and UNIDO itself did not grant him formal accreditation, the court ruled that diplomatic notes issued by the Belarusian embassy automatically conferred immunity from criminal prosecution. The Vienna prosecutor’s office attempted to challenge the decision but missed the appeal deadline due to procedural violations. On 6 March 2026, the Higher Regional Court of Vienna refused to restore the deadline, effectively allowing the ruling to enter into force. Firtash was first detained in Austria in 2014 at the request of the United States, which accuses him of bribing Indian officials to obtain a licence to develop a titanium deposit. He has since consistently challenged extradition.

On 12 March, Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev stated that Russia and Belarus plan to sign a framework agreement by the end of 2026 on the construction of a third power unit at the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant. According to him, the sides are already working on the financial and technical parameters of the project within a joint working group between Rosatom and the Belarusian Ministry of Energy. Belarusian Energy Minister Dzianis Maroz had earlier also said that preparation of the framework agreement had begun and is one of the key tasks for 2026. After the document is agreed, the sides expect to proceed to signing the main contract and an intergovernmental agreement between Belarus and Russia.

On 13 March, two German lawyers submitted a complaint to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague regarding the activities of the company Tsybulka-Bel, linked to Saxony state parliament member Jörg Dornau from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The lawyers claim the company may have used prison labour, including individuals detained for political reasons, linking this to broader allegations of crimes against humanity in Belarus — including forced labour, persecution, and politically motivated deprivation of liberty. The complaint was prompted by media reports about a contract between the company and a detention centre in Lida, under which detainees were sent to perform seasonal agricultural work. Earlier, the Saxony prosecutor’s office had refused to open criminal proceedings against Dornau, stating that the available evidence was insufficient to qualify the alleged conduct as a criminal offence under German law. The lawyers subsequently decided to turn to the ICC, asking it to examine potential responsibility both of the German politician and Belarusian officials. At the same time, international law experts note that the prospects of such a complaint are limited, as Belarus is not a party to the Rome Statute and the court’s jurisdiction in this case could extend only to the actions of the German citizen involved.

The hybrid crisis on the Belarus–Lithuania border continues to take the form of a low-intensity positional standoff.

On 12 March, six additional suspects were detained in Lithuania in connection with cigarette smuggling using balloons. Since the beginning of the year, the Lithuanian border guard service (VSAT) has reported intercepting 57 airborne smuggling consignments, with nearly 160,000 packs of cigarettes accumulating in customs warehouses. On 15 March, airspace over Vilnius Airport was temporarily closed again due to navigation signals resembling meteorological balloons.

Against this background, Lithuania is intensifying anti-Belarusian measures at both national and international levels. On 12 March, the Lithuanian Seimas accepted for consideration amendments extending national restrictive measures against citizens of Belarus and Russia until the end of 2027. On 13 March, during a visit to the border, the presidents of Lithuania and the Czech Republic characterised the actions of Belarus and Russia as systemic hybrid attacks.

At the same time, for the first time since December, the Belarusian MFA stated that Lithuania and Poland could purchase electricity from the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant (BelNPP), presenting this as a demonstration of “neighbourly openness” without altering Minsk’s basic approach to the crisis.

Since November 2025, the situation on the Lithuania–Belarus border has gone through several phases: escalation, Minsk’s tactical advantage, stabilisation, and a stalemate. Both sides are exerting pressure on each other leveraging various instruments. Possible scenarios for further developments on the Lithuanian border include: 1) continuation of a prolonged positional stalemate; 2) a negotiated exchange with international mediation; 3) a new wave of escalation initiated by Minsk.

On the Polish border, a certain revival of the migration crisis has been observed. According to Poland’s Border Guard, 10 attempted illegal crossings were recorded on 9 March, with another 10 attempts recorded between 13 and 15 March. In 2025, a similar seasonal increase was observed at this time of year, though at a significantly higher intensity — with 80–190 attempts recorded per day. On 12 March, the first module of a system designed to detect, identify and counter drones and other aerial objects became operational on the Belarus–Poland border, according to Polish Minister of the Interior and Administration Marcin Kierwiński.

On 5 March, the Minsk City Court delivered sentences in absentia to five Belarusian volunteers associated with the Kalinouski Regiment. Among the charges were “acts of terrorism” and “creation of a terrorist organisation”. Former Commander Dzyanis Prokharau was sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment in a high-security colony. He is required to serve the first five years in prison regime. He was also fined 700 basic units (approximately 9,300 Euro). Former Commander Pavel Shurmei was also sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment in a high-security colony with the obligation to serve the first five years in prison regime. He was fined 2,000 basic units (approximately 26,500 Euro). Vadzim Kabanchuk, a former Deputy Commander and the Representative for Defence and National Security of the United Transitional Cabinet, was sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment in a high-security colony with the first five years in prison regime and a fine of 700 basic units (approximately 9,300 Euro). Kabanchuk was also stripped of his military rank of senior reserve lieutenant. Instructor Aliaksei Nazarau was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment in a high-security colony. He was fined 700 basic units (approximately 9,300 Euro). Soldier Aliaksei Kavalchuk was also sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment in a high-security colony. He was fined 500 basic units (approximately 6,650 Euro).

On 6 March, at a closed session of the Minsk City Court, journalist Pavel Dabravolski was sentenced to nine years of imprisonment in an enhanced-security colony. He was found guilty of high treason. According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists, the charge was related to Dabravolski’s journalistic publications. He collaborated with various independent media. During the 2020 protests, he was detained and brought to administrative responsibility in connection with his professional activities. His last job in Belarus was at the BelaPAN independent media company. Some of its employees were recognised as an “extremist formation” in November 2021.

On 9 March, a new entry appeared on the list of “extremist formations” maintained by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The “Coalition of Publishing Houses ‘Foundation Kamunikat.org’, ‘Lohvinau Publishing House’, and ‘Andrey Yanushkevich Publishing’” was recognised as an “extremist formation”. The decision was made by the KGB on 3 March. Websites and social networks of publishing houses were also added to the list. In February, mass arrests of publishers and distributors of books took place in Minsk. Later, Gutenberg Publisher was recognised as an “extremist formation”.

The authorities continue to exert pressure on associations of Belarusians abroad. On 10 March, the Ministry of Internal Affairs recognised the Telegram chat “Belarusy in Valencia” as an “extremist formation”. The chat unites Belarusians living in Valencia (Spain) and has more than 360 members.

Lawyer Aliaksei Kubrakou, a political prisoner, was released. He was sentenced in February 2026 to two years of imprisonment and a fine of 22,500 rubles (approximately 6,650 Euro), but as he had been in jail since October 2024, his prison term had already come to an end. Three other individuals were tried together with Kubrakou. Another defendant in the case received the same sentence; each of the remaining two defendants was sentenced to three years of imprisonment. All defendants were accused of participation in an “extremist formation”. According to investigators, they were BYSOL couriers whose tasks included “receiving and transferring money to other members of the formation, and distributing it to the needs of participants of illegal protests and extremist activities”. The BYSOL Foundation commented that it has no “couriers” in Belarus.

The Brest Regional Court sentenced Dzmitri Banit in absentia to six years of imprisonment in a high-security colony and a fine of 1,000 basic units (45,000 rubles, or approximately 13,300 Euro). He was also stripped of his rank of junior reserve sergeant. Banit was accused of inciting hostility, slander, illegal actions with personal data, violence or threat of violence against an employee of internal affairs bodies, and insulting a government official.

KGB added 19-year-old Uladzislav Varonin to the list of “persons involved in terrorist activities”. He was convicted by the Homel Regional Court on charges of creating and participating in an extremist formation, hooliganism, inciting hostility, slandering Aliaksandr Lukashenka, discrediting Belarus, rehabilitating Nazism, propagandising terrorism, creating an organisation to carry out terrorist activities and illegal actions with personal data. For a prisoner, inclusion in the terrorist list means a ban on money transfers to him/her. At the moment, 1,425 people are on the “terrorist list”, of which about 700 are Belarusians. In February, Varonin was added to the “list of extremists”.

On 13 March, the Ministry of Internal Affairs added another 29 people to the “List of citizens of the Republic of Belarus, foreign citizens or stateless persons involved in extremist activities”. Among them were 25 people convicted of “facilitating extremism” and 69-year-old Minsk resident Volha Tikhanavetskaya, convicted of “insulting Lukashenka”. There are now 6,402 names on the list.

The Ministry of Information updated the “Republican List of extremist materials”. Among other things, it included the Belarusian Solidarity Centre’ s Instagram page cbs_help. The decision was made on 11 March by the court of the Kirauski district of the Mahileu region.

On 13 March, the human rights community of Belarus recognised 11 more people as political prisoners. All of them were deprived of liberty in connection with cooperation with initiatives recognised by the authorities as “extremist formations”. Among them were publishers and book distributors detained during the February wave of repression against the Belarusian book industry. Human rights defenders demanded the immediate release of these political prisoners, as well as the immediate release of all political prisoners and an end to political repression in Belarus.

At least three Christian families were detained in different cities of Belarus last week, “Viasna” Human Rights Centre reported. It is still unknown what exactly the detainees are charged with.

Answering questions from journalists on 13 March, Aliaksandr Lukashenka commented on the negotiations with the United States, during which the release of political prisoners was discussed, saying: “if someone tries to repeat 2020, the reaction will be severe. I will say more: without looking at any laws, I will react cruelly.” Lukashenka stated that he must act this way, first of all, “for the sake of children and future generations”. He stressed that people he “does not need” will be in prison orexpelled from the country.

Political prisoner journalist Andrzej Poczobut was awarded the Andrzej Wajda Prize in Krakow. His daughter, Yana Poczobut, accepted the award on her father’s behalf. The award ceremony took place during the opening of the Andrzej Wajda Year in Krakow. During the ceremony, the organisers emphasised the role of Wajda not only in the development of world cinema, but, above all, in the formation of moral views. The laureates were awarded prizes for their work in the spirit of social solidarity.

Former political prisoner, veteran opposition politician and candidate in 2010 presidential elections Mikalai Statkevich became the winner of the “Homo Homini” human rights award 2026. The award was presented by the Czech organisation People in Need. The ceremony was held on 11 March in Prague as part of the opening of the 28th One World Human Rights Film Festival. The award was announced by President of the Czech Senate Miloš Vystrčil. Since Statkevich could not attend the ceremony, his wife Maryna Adamovich received the award on his behalf. Statkevich was sentenced in 2021 in the “Tsikhanousky case” to 14 years of imprisonment. In September 2025, he was among 52 political prisoners who were released and expelled to Lithuania, but refused to leave Belarus and at the boder crossing point ran out of the bus and went back to the territory of Belarus. After that, he was held in prison in Hlybokae for several months, which became known only after his release for humanitarian reasons on 19 February. Earlier in prison, on 21 January, he suffered a stroke, and his speech is presently impaired. Although Statkevich is currently at home in Minsk, his documents have not yet been issued by the authorities, and his legal status remains uncertain. Statkevich spent a total of more than 12 years in Belarusian prisons.

On 12 March, a side event “Human Rights in Belarus”, dedicated to the human rights situation in Belarus, the situation of political prisoners and issues of international accountability, was held in Geneva during the 61^st session of the UN Human Rights Council. Nobel Peace Prize laureate and head of “Viasna” Human Rights Centre Ales Bialiatski, who was released last December after 1,613 days in prison, stressed the importance of the work of UN Group of Independent Experts and the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Belarus. “Even in times of numerous crises in the world, it is important that Belarus remains in the centre of international attention, as the human rights situation in the country is deteriorating. Every day we record new cases of political repression, and more and more political prisoners appear. Therefore, it is important to systematically continue work at the international level, including documenting all violations, so that this can later help bring those responsible to justice,” he said. Leanid Marozau, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, was critical of the way the release of political prisoners being used as a tool of “diplomacy”. “When the regime demands gratitude for the release of people whom it illegally imprisoned, it looks like a request to applaud the kidnapper for returning the hostages. People should never be a bargaining chip or a diplomatic currency. The only genuine humanitarian step is the release of all political prisoners and the simultaneous cessation of repression,” he said. Andrea Huber, Head of the International Accountability Platform for Belarus, and Karinna Moskalenko, Chair of the UN Group of Independent Experts on the Human Rights Situation in Belarus, also participated in the discussion.

On 12 March, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk met in Geneva with Ales Bialiatski, Head of “Viasna” Human Rights Centre, and Leanid Marozau, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs. They discussed the human rights situation in Belarus, including the situation of political prisoners and the role of international mechanisms in protecting fundamental rights and freedoms.

On 14 March, Belarusian opposition leader and former political prisoner Maryja Kalesnikava was finally handed the International Charlemagne Prize, awarded to her in 2022. The ceremony took place in the Coronation Hall of the Aachen Town Hall in Germany. At the official ceremony in 2022, Kalesnikava was represented by her sister Tatsiana Khomich, since Kalesnikava herself was imprisoned in Belarus. Kalesnikava described the award as a “great honour”, noting that the news of the award in 2022, when she was behind bars in Belarus, was a “great sign of solidarity” for her. “The fact that we can now receive Maryja Kalesnikava in Aachen is a powerful signal to all those who advocate for freedom and democracy in Europe,” said German politician Armin Laschet, who headed the organising committee of the award.

The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court opened an investigation into the crimes against humanity, committed by the Belarusian authorities. The website of the International Criminal Court explained that “since 30 September 2024, the Prosecutor’s Office has been conducting a preliminary examination following a referral from Lithuania” and concluded that “there is a reasonable basis to believe that Rome Statute crimes were committed at least in part on the territory of the Republic of Lithuania”. “Lithuania requested the Office to investigate alleged crimes against humanity committed in the Republic of Belarus, a non-State Party to the ICC, stating that part of the elements of the alleged crimes were committed on the territory of Lithuania, a State Party,” the ICC said in a statement. According to the ICC Prosecutor’s Office, “there is a reasonable basis to believe that the coercive acts leading to deportation constituted a course of conduct against actual or perceived opponents of the Government of Belarus, pursuant to or in furtherance of a State policy.” “The alleged crimes committed by the authorities were encouraged or approved by the highest levels of the Government,” it stated. “There is also a reasonable basis to believe that these crimes were committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population, considering their large scale, the number of victims, and the organised nature of the acts. The scope of the investigation covers transboundary crimes – any past and present allegations of crimes since 1 May 2020 in Belarus, where at least one element of the crime has been committed on the territory of Lithuania, in line with the parameters of the referral and the jurisdictional framework. As such, the new investigation includes crimes against humanity, such as deportation, and persecution through deportation against any identifiable group or collectivity on political grounds allegedly committed by the Belarusian authorities. These alleged crimes were pursuant to article 7(1)(d) and article 7(1)(h) of the Rome Statute, respectively,” concluded the statement.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys welcomed the decision of the ICC Prosecutor’s Office. “No regime should believe it can torture, deport, persecute, or silence its opponents and citizens without consequences. Justice must prevail. Widespread and systematic attacks on civilians must be met with a clear and consistently applied accountability mechanism – because accountability is not only justice for victims; it is deterrence for the future. Those responsible must be held to account,” he wrote on X social network.

Estonia supported the decision of the ICC Prosecutor’s Office to launch an investigation into crimes against humanity committed by the Lukashenka regime, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said. “Any form of violence, persecution, or repression directed at one’s own population must carry meaningful consequences. The regime’s systematic oppression and intimidation of any opposition is appalling. Accountability for all crimes against humanity is essential. Estonia stands united with Lithuania and the democratic forces of Belarus,” he commented on X.

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