Belarus Review by iSANS — November 25, 2024 

Belarus Review (2024 edition, issue 44)

A weekly update on the ongoing political crisis in the Republic of Belarus was prepared for you by the International Strategic Action Network for Security (iSANS). 

Russian drones from Ukraine and Russia continued to fly into the airspace of Belarus. During the week under review, no less than 26 “Shahed” drones flew over the airspace of Belarus. Thus, on November 19, one drone overflight was recorded. November 20 – eleven drones. On November 21 – fourteen drones. Afterwards, most of them flew to Ukraine. According to unconfirmed information, one drone could have been shot down by the Armed Forces of Belarus.

On November 18-21, a delegation from the Command Academy of the Air Force of the People’s Liberation Army of China visited Minsk. During the meeting of the delegation with Commander of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces of Belarus Andrei Lukyanovich, the main directions of Belarusian-Chinese cooperation in the military sphere were discussed, as well as the prospects for their further development.

On November 19, it became known that the 740^th anti-aircraft missile regiment received new Belarusian production battery command posts. The delivery of a batch of modernized anti-aircraft missile systems “Osa” is also expected.

On November 21, Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said that the personnel of the rocket troops and artillery had successfully mastered the Polonez-M multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). In addition, the serial production and delivery to the troops of the BelGrad-2 MLRS was organized. The modernized Uragan-MB MLRS combat vehicle was also successfully tested.

On November 21, another battery of Tor-M2K anti-aircraft missile systems was delivered to Belarus from Russia. It was reported that the systems delivered to Belarus had been modernized considering the experience of their use in Ukraine. It was not specified what exactly the modification consisted of. The complex will be transferred to the 15^th anti-aircraft missile brigade. Given the new delivery, the Armed Forces of Belarus have now seven batteries of SAMs.

On November 21, the head of the Main Department of Combat Training of the Armed Forces of Belarus said that the peculiarity of the 2023/2024 training year (note: it begins on December 1) in the troops has been the conduct of unit cohesion events outside the ranges, on unfamiliar terrain. The focus has been made on training troops in new ways of fighting (e.g., small group operations, firing tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and armored personnel carriers from closed firing positions, use of drones). Bilateral exercises with units of the 6^th and 11^th Mechanized Brigades were also reported to have been conducted “with good quality”.

On November 23, more than 8,000 citizens called up for compulsory military service in the Armed Forces of Belarus took the oath of office. Another 1,600 recruits joined the ranks of the Border Guard Service.

On November 23, Defense Minister Viktar Khrenin said at the oath ceremony of the recruits that “the problem of understaffing, which existed for some time in the Armed Forces, has been solved for two years now.  Today more men are ready to serve in the army than there are positions.”

November 24, the state media reported that there are already examples when the Mi-35M helicopter destroyed drones, violating the airspace of Belarus. It was not specified which drones were destroyed using the helicopter.

On November 19-21, the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum took place in Vienna, Austria. It included in its final resolution a section on Belarus. In the section “Shrinking civic space”, the resolution contains a warning about continued and intensified crackdown on civil society in Belarus, which led to further consolidation of the Lukashenka regime. Further, the resolution contains another warning about the dangerous short- and long-term consequences of the Lukashenka regime and promoted diplomatic isolation of Belarus from international cooperation mechanisms, including Belarus’ withdrawal from the EU’s Eastern Partnership. As a result, the EaP CSF resolution calls on the EU, its member States and EaP countries to continue the Eastern Partnership policy and promote the role of civil society therein, including the EaP CSF. The resolution also calls on the international community to redouble its efforts and step up its commitment to the build-up of democracy in Belarus; urges EU Member States and the EU institutions to call for the release of all political prisoners in Belarus, leverage all available mechanisms to put pressure on the offending governments and stand in solidarity with political prisoners and their families. Moreover, the resolution urges the leadership of the European Union, its member States, and EaP countries’ authorities to continue providing staunch political support to Belarusian civil society and democratic forces and to draw a clear distinction between civil society in Belarus and the Lukashenka regime. The EaP CSF Belarusian National Platform, civil society, and the Belarusian democratic forces in the country and exile should continue to be regarded as the interlocutors of democratic Belarus in the relations with the EU, remain included in the EaP initiative, and remain connected regionally with democratically minded peers. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of the Belarusian democratic forces, also attended the EaP CSF in Vienna.

On November 20, in her speech at the EaP summit, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya proposed five steps that can already be taken within the EaP to support a democratic Belarus: joint projects and cooperations, more people-to-people ties and mobility through visas and exchanges, deeper regional cooperation, campaigns for the release of political prisoners, and global vision. Also, during her working visit to Vienna, the Belarusian democratic leader attended an event hosted by the OSCE, where she emphasized that “for the lasting peace in Europe, we must liberate Belarus not only from dictatorship but also from Russia’s clutches”. Tsikhanosukaya addressed key issues concerning Belarus that the OSCE should keep on its agenda: regional security, Belarus on Europe’s map, not going back to ‘business as usual’ with the regime, and OSCE mediation for the transitional period.

On November 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin updated the nuclear doctrine. The amendment came just after Ukraine struck deep inside Russia with the U.S.-made ATACAMS missiles. The updated nuclear doctrine lowers the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a broader range of conventional attacks. The biggest change in the doctrine was that Russia could consider a nuclear strike in response to a conventional attack on Russia or its ally Belarus that “created a critical threat to their sovereignty and (or) their territorial integrity”.

On November 21, it was announced that Poland appointed a new Special Envoy for Cooperation with the Belarusian democratic forces – Adam Hałaciński, who previously served as Poland’s Ambassador in Sweden and Poland’s Representative to the OSCE. Hałaciński replaced his colleague Artur Michalski, who was just recently appointed Ambassador to Ireland. The new Special Envoy already took part in the Friends of Democratic Belarus Group meeting at the EaP CSF in Vienna.

On November 21, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced in its press release the adoption of new sanctions against Russia’s Gazprombank and taking additional steps to curtail Russia’s use of the international financial system. OFAC’s action includes the designation of Gazprombank, more than 50 internationally connected Russian banks, more than 40 Russian securities registrars, and 15 Russian finance officials. OFAC also issued an alert describing sanctions risks related to Russia’s System for Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS), which the Kremlin created and uses to evade sanctions. Back in 2021, it was reported that all Belarusian banks were connected to SPFS.

During the period under review, the leader of the Belarusian democratic forces Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was on a working visit to Estonia, where she met with the leadership of the Estonian government. During the meeting with the Minister of Interior Lauri Läänemets, issues such as the legalization of stay for Belarusians in Estonia, draft guidelines for migration authorities in Estonia on handling Belarusian cases, visas and residence permits, and alien passports were discussed. The meeting with the Minister of Education Kristina Kallas focused on additional scholarships for Belarusian students, possibilities to have Belarusian language and history classes in some Tallinn schools, and the potential naming of a hall after Anton Luckievich at the University of Tartu. In the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Margus Tsakhna, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya focused on the sham presidential election to be held by the Lukashenka regime at the end of January 2025, Estonia’s support for Lithuania’s referral of the Lukashenka regime’s crimes against humanity to the ICC, increased pressure on the Lukashenka regime, including comprehensive sanctions for human rights violations, support for the democratic forces of Belarus, and contributions to the International Humanitarian Fund. During the meeting with the Minister of Culture Heidy Purga, the translation of Belarusian literature into Estonian, joint cultural events, and support programs for Belarusian actors were discussed. During her visit, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya presented the Cross of Good Neighborhood to Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsakhna as a gesture of gratitude for support and cooperation.

On November 23, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskya began her working visit to Canada with a meeting with Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly, during the Halifax International Security Forum. The following issues were addressed during the meeting: support to independent media, to which Canada has allocated USD 1 MN, and it is expected that the program will continue; contributions to the International Humanitarian Fund, which has already raised over EUR 2 MN; strategic consultations: the first session will take place on November 26, covering the most pressing topics for democratic forces and Belarusian civil society; support for Lithuania’s referral to the Lukashenka regime’s crimes to the ICC; advocacy for a democratic Belarus during Canada’s G7 Presidency, and other important topics.

Human rights activists report increased repression in Belarus. Since the beginning of September 2024, about one and a half thousand cases of political repression have been recorded: detentions, searches, arrests, and administrative trials. While during the summer 975 administrative cases of dissemination of “extremist materials” and picketing were considered by courts, according to “Viasna” Human Rights Center, during the period of early September – mid-November the number of such cases increased to 1,213. One of the features of the current repression wave is the focus on certain groups. “Earlier, we observed a raid on doctors, and psychologists. Now railway workers are being detained in Orsha,” says Natallia Satsunkevich, a human rights activist from “Viasna”.

Political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich informed his family about health problems; he fears for his life. Autukhovich had no contact with his relatives for a month and spent 21 days in the punishment cell of a prison in Hrodna. According to him, it was very cold in the punishment cell, as the heating was not working there. Autukhovich is limited in receiving medical care, his legs are “swollen”, as he suffers from joint disease. Moreover, Autukhovich, who has arterial hypertension, was “robbed of a tonometer”, for which he had permission to use. He told his family that “if something happens to me, it was done on purpose.” Autukhovich intends to complain about the detention in the punishment cell and the lack of access to medical care. On October 17, 2022, the Hrodna Regional Court found Mikalai Autukhovich guilty of ten charges, including an “act of terrorism” and “high treason”, and sentenced him to 25 years of imprisonment.

The Brest Regional Court sentenced Vital Chopik, who took part in politically motivated trials as an observer, to seven years in a high-security colony. He was found guilty of facilitating “extremist activities”, as well as “active” participation in actions grossly violating public order. The court also fined Chopik 40 thousand Belarusian rubles (approximately 11,5 thousand euros). Earlier, it was reported that Chopik, who was detained in March 2024, was “taken to an ambulance with traces of severe beating” after his arrest, while his skin was yellow, from which journalists concluded that this “may indicate liver damage due to beating.”

Pressure on the LGBTQ+ community has increased dramatically. In September 2024 alone, up to 20 Belarusians belonging to LGBTQ+ were detained under various pretexts. According to the authors of the report “LGBTQ+ in Belarus: isolation, repression and destruction of identity under the guise of traditions”, which was prepared by the human rights organization “Legal Initiative” based on data provided by the TG-House, this September might indeed become a new point of reference when the Lukashenka regime began openly persecuting LGBTQ+ people. The increase in the persecution is formally explained, among other things, by the fact that on March 19, 2024, the Ministry of Culture issued Resolution No. 24, in which it equated the demonstration of “non-traditional sexual relations” with pornography, effectively prohibiting any discussion of LGBTQ+ issues positively or neutrally. Moreover, by putting homosexual relations and transsexualism on par with zoo-, necro-, and pedophilia, which is a criminal offense, this Resolution not only stigmatizes LGBTQ+  persons but also leads to criminalization of their status. All this is publicly justified by the desire to preserve “traditional values.” As stated in the report, the security forces have already begun to use the Resolution as a legal basis for initiating criminal cases under the chargers of “the manufacture and distribution of pornographic materials or objects of a pornographic nature”.

On November 20, the trial of blogger Pavel Spiryn, was due to be released in a month. The trial is taking place in Babruisk. Spiryn was detained in September 2020. In February 2021, he was sentenced to four and a half years of imprisonment under the charge of incitement to hostility. He was supposed to be released in December 2024, but a new criminal case was opened against him under the charge of malicious disobedience to the colony administration. Pavel Spiryn was recognized as a political prisoner. According to human rights activists, prisoners of the colony are forbidden to talk to him. For communicating with Spiryn, they are punished by detention in a punishment cell.

On November 20, 32 more political prisoners were released by a pardon by Lukashenka. Eight women and 24 men, who were convicted of committing “extremist crimes”, were released. 17 of them have chronic diseases, one is disabled, 17 persons have children, two of them have many children, and nine of the pardoned are over 50 years old. The names of those pardoned were traditionally not announced. “All of them admitted their guilt, repented of what they had done, and petitioned for clemency,” Lukashenka’s press service said in a statement. It was stated that the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus “will ensure control over their law-abiding behavior.”

Propagandist Yury Vaskrasenski noted that before the New Year, the issue of the release of at least one more “batch” of prisoners will be considered at a meeting of the Commission on Return, which was given the authority to consider the petitions of political prisoners for pardon. Commenting on the words of the father of Maryja Kalesnikava, who said that his daughter was thinking about writing a petition for clemency, Vaskrasenski said: “We will think about whether to consider this petition and what decision to make. It seems to me that the decision will be negative for all instigators. The exception may be made if there is a deliberate desire of the West to get them out. Then they should lift all sanctions. …Then we can give in to our principles a little bit.”

“Viasna” Human Rights Center has analyzed whether the number of political prisoners in Belarus has decreased over the six waves of pardons. Human rights activists recalled that since July 3, six waves of pardons of political prisoners have been held in Belarus, during which 178 people were released. The last group of the pardoned was released on November 20. During this time, the human rights community of Belarus has issued 24 statements on the recognition of new defendants in criminal political cases as political prisoners — from July 3 to November 20, 223 persons received this status. These are persons from different regions of Belarus, of different ages and social status, accused under several political charges. Therefore, since July this year, 178 political prisoners have been released on pardon, and 223 other persons have received the status of political prisoner.

On November 20, in a joint statement by Belarusian human rights organizations, 13 more persons were recognized as political prisoners. Representatives of the Belarusian human rights community demand an end to the persecution of legitimate forms of expression and the immediate release of all political prisoners.

As of November 21, 2024, 112 people have already been convicted in absentia in Belarus since 2022. Almost all cases were politically motivated. These were activists, journalists, protesters, politicians and public figures. Of these, three persons were convicted in absentia twice.

On November 21, the Hrodna Regional Court sentenced in absentia the well-known social and political activist Jerzy Grigencha. He was sentenced to six years of imprisonment, as well as a fine of 40,000 rubles (approximately 11,5 thousand euros). Grigencha was found guilty of inciting social discord, promoting extremist activities, slandering Lukashenka, and insulting Lukashenka. Several searches took place at the activist’s former place of residence. The property of Grigencha and his wife was seized.

Over 1,000 days of full-scale war in Ukraine, at least 200 people have been sentenced to terms ranging from one year to 25 years of restriction of liberty or imprisonment for their anti-war position. Some of them were sent to psychiatric hospitals for compulsory treatment, “Viasna” Human Rights Center reported.

On November 19-22, the security forces conducted exercises in case of a “complication of the situation” during the elections. Exercises were conducted under the leadership of Interior Minister Ivan Kubrakov and included theoretical and practical parts. The training stages were held in Minsk, regional, and district centers. “During the exercises, law enforcement officers demonstrated their readiness to respond promptly to possible complications of the situation in the country during the electoral campaign,” the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported. “Law enforcement officers have worked out various scenarios to counter possible violations of public order. Each district was monitored and specific measures were taken to ensure that law and order and stability were ensured,” it said. The process of preparation for the seventh presidential election, scheduled for January 26, 2025, is under the control of the authorities, and the political field in the country has been cleared of active opponents of Aliaksandr Lukashenka. Representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces abroad call what is happening a “special operation to retain power”. Human rights activists point to an imitation of competition.

When collecting signatures during the election campaign, an administrative resource is involved, as well as traditional methods of pressure are used: threats of dismissal from work, eviction from the dormitories, etc., the lawyers of the “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” campaign said in a statement. According to the campaign’s lawyers, the electoral process “already in its early stages takes place in conditions of deliberate and consistent violation of the principle of freedom of expression of citizens.” Among other things, the authorities use “practices of pressure, intimidation and direct influence on the will of the voter”. The lawyers emphasize that Lukashenka “still does not intend to adhere to generally accepted and binding standards of human rights and the conduct of elections in particular.” They also believe that the 2025 elections cannot be called free. On November 14, Lukashenka claimed that 700 thousand signatures had been collected for his nomination as a presidential candidate. In this regard, lawyers of the “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections” campaign did not rule out manipulations during the counting of signatures and their recognition as reliable.

Aliaksandr Lukashenka threatened to turn off the Internet “altogether” if the situation of 2020 repeats. He also admitted that in the past, blackouts “almost always” occurred with his permission. “What do you think, I will watch and pray that you did not send a message to someone if the country is not there tomorrow?” his speech at Minsk State Linguistic University was quoted by BelTA state media. In 2020, the Internet practically did not work for three days on August 9-11 throughout Belarus. At that time, Lukashenka claimed that the Internet was being blocked from abroad to cause discontent among citizens. Later in 2020, the Internet was turned off during Sunday rallies. The operators acknowledged that the shutdowns were carried out at the request of the authorities.

Belarusian human rights organizations recognized journalist Ihar Ilyash as a political prisoner. Information about his detention appeared on October 22, when the videos with him were published by a Telegram channel close to the security forces. In one of the videos, the journalist said that he had previously been an employee of Belsat, and in recent years he had repeatedly given interviews to media recognized as “extremist formations” and comments to Ukrainian journalists. The security forces called Ilyash a “spy” and claimed that he “together with his wife was engaged in assisting extremist groups and collecting information for foreign intelligence services.” At the end of October, information appeared that Ihar Ilyash had been transferred to the Kalyadzichi pre-trial detention center, which indicated that he was criminally charged, but the chargers were unknown. Ilyash’s wife, Belsat journalist Katsyaryna Andreeva, was sentenced to eight years and three months of imprisonment for high treason. Her trial took place in 2022 behind closed doors. The details of the charges are still unknown.

On November 22, the trial of the leader of the liquidated Green party Dzmitry Kuchuk began in the Minsk City Court. He was accused of calling for sanctions and participating in actions that grossly violate public order. Kuchuk was detained in February 2024, when he came to the Russian embassy with flowers to honor the memory of Alexei Navalny. He was recognized as a political prisoner.

On November 23, another six persons have been recognized as political prisoners. Among them were two persons who were sent for compulsory treatment in a psychiatric hospital. Today, 1,274 people have the status of political prisoners in Belarus.

After the mass detentions in Smarhon, where at least 12 persons were “cleaned up”, several persons remain under arrest, including Yuras Kutuzov, a well-known public activist of the past years. He is held in the Hrodna pre-trial detention center. A criminal case has probably been opened against him, however, the charges are unknown, Viasna” Human Rights Center reports. Mass detentions in Smarhon occurred in late October and early November.

The Minsk City Court will begin considering the case of Aliaksandr Kuksa on December 5. He was detained this February as part of a raid within the framework of the case of the “Personnel Reserve for a New Belarus”. On February 26, a “repentant video” was published with him. He was accused of facilitating extremist activities and actively participating in actions that grossly violate public order. The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against representatives and participants of the “Personnel Reserve for a New Belarus” initiative announced by the United Transitional Cabinet on February 14. In August, Aliaksei Kiselyou, an inspector of the sports and tourism sector of the Verkhniadzvinsk district executive committee, was convicted in this case.

The Lead European External Action Service Spokesperson, Peter Stano, commented on the information about another “pardon” in Belarus, as well as data from human rights defenders, which indicate that the number of political prisoners in Belarus is increasing. “32 political prisoners are set to be released, some in critical health conditions. At the same time, the regime continues to arrest more people on politically motivated grounds. The repression must stop. EU calls for the release of all political prisoners, “ he stated on X.

On November 18, Aliaksandr Lukashenka at a meeting with Smolensk Oblast Governor Vasily Anokhin once again noted Russia’s support “in the most difficult and complicated times”. He emphasized that although Belarus and the Russian Federation are now different states, there is a “common fatherland” and Russians “do not object to it.” “It’s from Brest to Vladivostok. This is our Fatherland. It says it all. But it’s not our fault – we have two states – Belarus and Russia. According to Lukashenka, Putin has never demanded that Belarusians and Russians live in the same state, and that there’s no need for it, since the cooperation between Belarus and Russia is “closer than if we lived in one state.” During the meeting, the dictator traditionally emphasized the fact that he pursues his policy independently: “Whoever in Russia, I’m already saying, would say: ”Here, Lukashenka, multi-vector policy… Again, he released dozens of political prisoners. It means that he is already going to the West…”. Look, it’s such primitive thinking that it can’t go any further.”

On November 20, Pavel Muraveika, head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Belarus, said that the “Western countries are creating warehouses of weapons and equipment” and “deploying contingents” near the border with Belarus. According to him, “the economy of neighboring countries is ‘openly militarized,’ which is ”a peculiar factor that should be taken into account. “Today, the degradation of the geopolitical situation is openly manifested, strategic instability is growing. The inability of international institutions to influence the ongoing processes is becoming more and more vivid.” According to him, the confrontation between the West and the East “has reached a hot phase”.

Pro-government military expert Aliaksandr Alesin believes that the West is preparing a hybrid operation, in which “militants from the opposition” will play their role. “A direct attack by NATO countries on Belarus is impossible, because it will automatically lead to a direct war with Russia, and then to World War III. It is obvious that there will be a hybrid operation: first, illegal armed formations of the Belarusian opposition will attack and seize parts of the republic’s territory. Then they will declare themselves independent from the central authorities, possibly recognizing the jurisdiction of [Sviatlana] Tsikhanouskaya. And as such an ‘independent’ state, they will ask for help from the West,” he said. According to his prediction, “some kind of quasi-state” will be formed and “there will be a possible intervention of NATO troops, which the Western countries will recognize as legitimate.” Alesin believes that it is possible that NATO specialists will change their patches to “white-red-white” and act as militants of the Belarusian opposition.

On November 21, on the air of the program “Speak, don’t be silent” on Belarus-1, parliamentarian and pro-governmental historian Ihar Marzaliuk, discussing cooperation in the sphere of historical truth with “strategic allies”, said that Belarusians, Russians, and Ukrainians are “peoples of the Eastern European, Eastern Christian civilization”, but at the same time noted that he was “irritated by the mantra ‘we have a single history, we have a single language’. “We have a distinctive Belarusian history, we have a distinctive Belarusian language, which has lost its certain positions as a result of unfavorable conditions, when they wanted to make more Poles out of us than Poles themselves, and then more Great Russians than Great Russians themselves” the scientist believes.

On November 22, Aliaksandr Lukashenka visited Minsk State Linguistic University, whose students were noted for their active participation in the 2020 protests. At a meeting with students of universities in the humanities, he threatened to shut down the Internet if a similar situation occurs, since, in his opinion, the 2020 protests were coordinated online. The politician again voiced his belief that if he had not been able to “hold the country together,” NATO troops would have come to Belarus very quickly, which would have certainly ended in a war: “They [NATO troops] would have moved up to Smolensk. What would be the answer? How would Russia react? A war would have started, again on our territory. I understood all this. It’s on one side of the scale. I saw that the Internet is actively used for this – to show routes, what to hit, what to break <…>. And I weigh it and think: to save the country, we will turn off the Internet for two hours or an hour because the security services do not control our society [when the Internet is on]. That’s what it was done for.” Lukashenka reminded that he was “not asked,” but he wanted and should participate in the negotiations on the settlement of the situation in Ukraine, as the war is taking place near the borders of Belarus: “We are three Slavic peoples. No Americans, no Europeans – no one will do anything good and help us. We must sit down and agree. Why in Belarus? Because it’s at our fence, at our border. And our interests must be respected.” He also promised that Belarus could apply methods of information and psychological special operation, if necessary, because “otherwise it is impossible to resist in the current information war”. According to him, journalists play a “special role” in a situation when “there is a danger of unleashing a real, hot war.” “If you want to know the truth, read and watch the state media,” he recommended. The dictator also said he sees nothing wrong with propaganda: “All journalists, all politicians are propaganda, counterpropaganda and agitation. They are all engaged in it. Some from abroad say today, “Come on, this is a propagandist!” What are you? We propagandize our way of life, our culture, and so on. We agitate people for it. And who are you for? For those who give money.” In addition, Lukashenka persuaded the students to stay at home and not to go abroad where “no one is waiting for them. He said that his escaped opponents were allegedly “begging in droves to come back” because in Poland they allegedly put the citizens of Belarus in the “second class” and let them do only jobs that do not require high qualifications.

In an interview with propagandist Liudmila Hladkaya, devoted to the causes of the problem of illegal migration and ways to solve it, Deputy Interior Minister Yury Nazaranka said that Belarus “has become a hostage of the situation” and called it a “transit country”, and said that illegal migrants, which the Lukashenka regime instrumentalizes to wage a hybrid war against the EU countries, are refugees. “… Transit countries cannot influence destination countries either, which instead of eradicating the root causes of migration and expanding legal channels of entry, build “iron fences” hoping that this can save them from problems. Yes, it makes life difficult for refugees, and their routes are not easy. Unfortunately, some of them die, and some of them are simply killed… But these measures are also temporary, refugees will find other ways. The official called for “eradicating the root causes of illegal migration” and said that for this, “the West and the East need to act together”.

At a press conference in Brest on November 22, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhankou said that there are signals indicating that the “old” Europe had heard Belarus’s position on combating illegal migration. He accused Belarus’ neighbors of using this problem for their purposes: “… for our neighbors – Poland, Lithuania, Latvia – it’s an opportunity to inflate their political and economic bubble, to show everyone what defenders they are, to get money out of the EU, to “saw” this money. Then we saw these corruption schemes, which periodically slip through the media”. He also believes that throughout almost the entire existence of independent Belarus, attempts of the “collective West” to remove Lukashenka have been made “many times.” Still, in recent years, “such activities have acquired quite frankly terrorist forms.” “Behind the rosy words ’we will bring democracy to Belarus’ there are quite undemocratic mechanisms for the implementation of certain tasks, which in the end are associated with violence, murder, harm to specific people, and ultimately – with the decline in living standards and, in general, social order in our countries,” said Ryzhankou.

Best regards,
iSANS team