Belarus

Belarus stepping up its aggressive rhetoric, to form 100,000-150,000 strong volunteer military force

A senior Ukrainian presidential aide said on Tuesday Belarus was stepping up "aggressive and militaristic rhetoric" ahead of the first anniversary of Russia's invasion, but that Kyiv saw no imminent…

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Belarus says Ukraine army groups massed at border, risking its security

Belarus said on Tuesday that there was a significant grouping of Ukrainian troops massed near its border and warned that this posed a threat to its security. "At present, a…

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Belarus will only fight with Russia if it is attacked

Belarus will only fight with Russia if another country decides to launch an attack on it, its president said today. "I am ready to fight with the Russians from the…

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UPDATED: Belarus says Poland closing border crossing point is ‘catastrophic’ decision

Feb 10 (Reuters) - Belarus on Friday slammed a decision by Poland to close a border checkpoint between the two countries as "catastrophic", saying it could lead to a "collapse"…

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Belarus says it is now operating Russian Iskander missiles autonomously

(Reuters) - Belarus said that its armed forces were now in autonomous control of Russian-supplied nuclear-capable Iskander mobile guided missile systems after completing training in Russia as well as exercises…

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Belarus leader says he has been asked to seal a non-aggression pact with Ukraine

(Reuters) - Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said that he had been asked to conclude a non-aggression pact with Ukraine, the Belta state news agency reported, citing comments that suggested he…

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U.S. imposes visa restrictions over opposition trials in Belarus

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States imposed visa restrictions on 25 people including lawmakers for undermining democracy in Belarus with politically motivated trials such as that of exiled opposition leader…

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Russia-Belarus to conduct ‘defensive’ air drills, sparking fear in Kyiv of new offensive in Ukraine

Russia-Belarus conduct joint air drills Jan. 16-Feb. 1 Minsk says drills defensive, Kyiv fears new offensive Russia used Belarus as springboard for Ukraine invasion At least 30 dead after Russian…

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Fears of migrant deaths rise after bodies found in eastern Poland

WARSAW (Reuters) - Polish officials searched wetlands on the border with Belarus on Friday after three bodies were found in an area where thousands of migrants from the Middle East…

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Russia says Belarus may enter Ukraine conflict if ‘invaded’

Jan 13 (Reuters) - A Russian foreign ministry official said on Friday that Belarus may enter the conflict in Ukraine if Kyiv decides to "invade" either country. Russia used Belarus…

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Belarus detains former presidential candidate

Jan 12 (Reuters) - An opposition politician who stood against long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko in the controversial 2020 presidential election has been detained, his team said. Andrei Dmitriev, 41, an…

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Belarus strengthens military ties with Russia

(Reuters) - Belarus's defence ministry said that joint Russian-Belarusian air defence forces had been reinforced, with new missile units moved into position. "Anti-aircraft missile units advanced to designated areas and…

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EU pledges new sanctions against Belarus over support for Russia, von der Leyen says

The European Union will impose new sanctions on Belarus as it keeps up the pressure on Russia to end its war in Ukraine and extends measures to those countries that…

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Belarusian Opposition Leader Sees Signs Of Possible Mobilization

A Belarusian opposition leader says Belarusian authorities may soon begin a mobilization to provide military assistance to Russia in its war against Ukraine. Pavel Latushka, who is based in Warsaw,…

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Digital piracy against ‘unfriendly countries’ legalised in Belarus

In Belarus, digital piracy against “unfriendly countries” has been reportedly legalised. The new law allows the use of digital materials without the consent of foreign copyright holders, the Russian editorial…

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Belarus puts Nobel Prize-winning rights defender on trial

Jan 5 (Reuters) - Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Byalyatski went on trial in Belarus on Thursday, facing up to 12 years in jail in a case his allies see…

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Belarus to beef up joint military grouping with Russia

Jan 5 (Reuters) - Belarus and Russia continue to build up a joint military grouping in Belarus and are preparing joint air force exercises, the Belarusian Defence Ministry said on…

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Belarus says Russia-deployed Iskander missile systems ready for use

(Reuters) - The Iskander tactical missile systems and the S-400 air defence systems that Russia has deployed to Belarus are fully prepared to perform their intended tasks, a senior Belarusian…

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Belarus’s Lukashenko dismisses ‘conspiracy theories’ about manoeuvres

Dec 22 (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday that recent military manoeuvres were not aimed at Ukraine and dismissed "conspiracy theories" about deployments of Belarusian armed forces…

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Belarus military likely taken on significant role in training Russian reservists

Belarus has likely "taken on a significant but more discreet role in training thousands" of Russian reservists, according to the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD). In its daily update, the…

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Belarus restricts access to parts of region bordering Ukraine, Russia

(Reuters) - Belarus issued a ruling temporarily restricting access to parts of the southeastern Gomel region that borders Ukraine and Russia. The government said on its website it would "temporarily…

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Putin says Russia does not want to absorb anyone after talks with Belarus’ Lukashenko

Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at a joint press conference in Minsk with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Monday, said that Russia does not want to "absorb" anyone, and that…

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Russian troops stationed in Belarus to begin military exercises amid fears of new assault on Ukraine

Dec 19 (Reuters) - Russian troops that were moved to Belarus in October to become part of a regional formation will conduct battalion tactical exercises, the Russian Interfax news agency…

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Belarus puts southern military unit on alert in large-scale readiness exercise

(Reuters) - Russia's close ally Belarus announced a snap military inspection on Tuesday including increased combat readiness in the south of the country, the latest in a burst of exercises…

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Belarus to allow Ukraine grain transit with no preconditions – U.N.

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Belarus told the United Nations on Friday that it would allow, without preconditions, the transit of grain from Ukraine through its territory for export from Lithuanian ports, a…

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Flurry of military activity in Belarus stirs concern in Ukraine

KYIV (Reuters) - Constant Belarusian and Russian military activity in Belarus has stirred concerns that a new attack on neighbouring Ukraine could be possible in the coming months. Russia used…

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Belarus central bank to remove euro from currency basket weightings

Dec 8 (Reuters) - Belarus' central bank said on Thursday it will remove the euro from its currency basket used to calculate the official exchange rate for the Belarusian' rouble.…

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Russian troops take part in tactical drills in Belarus

MOSCOW, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Russia said on Thursday its troops were taking part in tactical exercises in Belarus, amid fears that Moscow is pressing its ally to get more…

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Eyes on Russia’s ally Belarus as Ukraine’s neighbour moves troops

By Tom Balmforth KYIV, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Russia's ally Belarus said on Wednesday it was moving troops and military hardware to counteract what it called a threat of terrorism, amid signs…

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Belarus foreign minister Makei dies – Belta

(Reuters) - Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei has died at the age of 64, state news agency Belta reported on Saturday. "Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei has passed away suddenly," Belta…

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Ukraine builds wall on border with Belarus – presidential adviser

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine said on Friday it was building a reinforced concrete wall and other fortifications on its border with Belarus, a close Kremlin ally that Moscow used as…

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Ukraine boosts forces near Belarus in case of attack

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine has boosted its forces in the northern region near Belarus to counter any possible renewed Russian attack across the border, Ukraine's General Staff said on Thursday.…

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Belarus takes legal action against senior opposition figures

Belarus has launched legal proceedings against senior opposition figures including Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The Investigative Committee of Belarus, a state-run law enforcement body, accused Tsikhanouskaya and other opposition figures of, among…

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Russian air force patrols ally Belarus’ borders

Oct 20 (Reuters) - Russia's air force held scheduled patrol flights at the borders of its ally Belarus on Thursday, Minsk said, as concerns remain that it could take a…

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Lukashenko orders purge in security service after senior officer flees Belarus

Belarus’ strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko has launched a massive purge of potential “traitors” after a high-ranking officer of the country's KGB security agency escaped to the European Union. Lukashenko has ordered…

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Belarus says it is unable to pay off debt due to sanctions

Oct 19 (Reuters) - Belarus said on Wednesday it was unable to repay its foreign currency-denominated debt due to sanctions imposed on it by the European Union and the United…

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Belarus to hold live-fire exercises with Russia

The Belarusian defence ministry said on Monday it will conduct live fire exercises and anti-aircraft guided missile launches as part of its joint grouping with Russian forces, Interfax reported. "Military units from the formations…

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Belarus says to host just under 9,000 Russian troops

This content was produced in Russia where the law restricts coverage of Russian military operations in Ukraine MOSCOW, Oct 16 (Reuters) - The defence ministry in Minsk on Sunday said…

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Russia threatens to equip Belarusian warplanes with nuclear missile capability

Moscow has said that it will equip the Belarusian warplanes with nuclear missile capability as Russian soldiers arrived in their neighbouring country. The Kremlin insisted that the manoeuvres were part…

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Belarus edges closer to joining Russia in war in Ukraine

(Reuters) - A flurry of military activity in Belarus this week has caught the attention of Ukraine and the West as a potential sign that President Alexander Lukashenko may commit…

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Belarus in state of heightened terrorism alert – Lukashenko

Oct 14 (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Friday he had placed his country in what he called a state of heightened terrorism alert because of tensions on…

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UPDATED: Belarus security forces given wide powers to deal with external threats

Oct 14 (Reuters) - Belarus has given its security forces broad powers under to prevent or respond to provocations from neighbouring countries, Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei told the Russian Izvestia…

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Russia’s war ally Belarus to hold armed forces inspection

LONDON, (Reuters) - Russian ally Belarus, which has let Moscow's army launch attacks on Ukraine from its territory, said it was beginning a military inspection to ensure "combat readiness". President…

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NATO members tighten security, G7 warns Belarus over Ukraine

U.S.-led NATO said on Tuesday its member states were boosting security around key installations after Russia escalated its attacks on Ukraine and stepped up threats against the West. Russian missiles…

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UPDATED: Belarus’s Lukashenko warns Ukraine, deploys troops with Russia

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday he had ordered troops to deploy with Russian forces near Ukraine in response to what he said was a clear threat to Belarus…

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Ukraine opposes Belarus bid to lead conflict diamond organisation

JOHANNESBURG, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Ukraine has accused Russia of trying to push its ally Belarus to the top of an international diamond certification body to protect Moscow's gems from…

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Belarus opposition leader says Lukashenko ‘weakened’ by his support for Putin’s war

PARIS (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, an ally of Vladimir Putin, is in a politically "very fragile" position due to Russia's military setbacks in Ukraine, Belarus' exiled opposition leader…

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Belarus bans consumer price rises in bid to tame inflation

Oct 6 (Reuters) - Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday he was imposing a ban on consumer price rises in response to "exorbitant" inflation across the economy, state media…

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Belarus’s Lukashenko accuses Ukraine of border provocations

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko accused neighbouring Ukraine on Tuesday of sending 15,000 troops to the border area to build defences and conduct reconnaissance, actions that he called "provocations". Lukashenko allowed…

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Russia’s Putin to meet Belarus’ Lukashenko later today

Sept 26 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on Monday in Moscow, Belarus state media reported. Russia and Belarus are close allies, with…

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Lukashenko says no mobilisation in Belarus

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said he was not planning a mobilisation after his close ally Russia announced it was calling up hundreds of thousands of reservists for the war in…

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Belarus starts military exercises near border regions

Sept 8 (Reuters) - Belarus has started military exercises by the city of Brest near the Polish border, its capital Minsk and the northeast region of Vitebsk, the defence ministry…

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Belarus President Lukashenko says Belarusian planes re-fitted to carry nuclear weapons

Aug 26 (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Friday that his military's SU-24 warplanes had been modified to carry nuclear weaponsand that Minsk would react immediately if the…

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Belarus officials behind hoax that grounded dissident’s flight, U.N. agency says

(Reuters) - The U.N.'s aviation agency on Tuesday for the first time blamed senior Belarus officials for a hoax last year that grounded a Ryanair Holdings PLC flight and led to the arrest…

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UK to introduce new sanctions on Belarus and Russian media

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain said it would on Tuesday introduce new economic, trade and transport sanctions on Belarus over its support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and also sanctioned six Russians…

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Belarus leader stands with Russia in its military drive in Ukraine

The president of Belarus -- Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's closest ally -- said on Sunday his ex-Soviet state stood fully behind Russia in its military drive in Ukraine as part…

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Poland condemns Belarus for vandalism of Polish graves

WARSAW, (Reuters) - Poland accused the Belarusian authorities of creating an "atmosphere of acquiescence" to acts of vandalism against Polish graves and demanded authorities punish perpetrators, adding to tensions between…

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