Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker two Russian Air Force helicopters landed at the Baranovichi airfield in Belarus This is the first such occurrence since August 2023 reports the monitoring group Belaruski Hayun arrived at the Baranovichi airfield from Sischi (Bryansk region "This marks the first and so far only military helicopters since the withdrawal of the Russian helicopter group from Belarus in August 2023," the report stated the Baranovichi airfield currently hosts two reconnaissance Su-24MR aircraft and at least four Su-30SM fighter jets from the Russian Air Force along with one Mi-24 and one Mi-8 helicopter the Lida airfield hosts an Il-22PP aircraft of the Russian Air Force," added the monitoring group Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin traveled to meet Belarusian regime leader Alexander Lukashenko Lukashenko replaced the Chief of the General Staff of the Belarusian Armed Forces During a press conference in Minsk, Putin claimed he was not rejecting negotiations with Ukraine but was prepared to engage only with the "legitimate authorities." Ukrainian President Zelenskyy promptly responded to Putin's statement which arrived to escort Putin's twin aircraft departed Belarus along with Putin's planes overnight on May 25 (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Military exercises continue on both sides of the border as Minsk focuses on improving offensive operations while Kyiv bolsters its demining and defensive efforts Belarus allows Russia to use two military bases for 25 more years Minsk also unveils the first units of the long-awaited "people's militia." Belarusian volunteers fighting alongside Ukrainian forces take part in Ukraine's counteroffensive in Kherson Oblast The regime of Belarus' dictator Alexander Lukashenko slashes the independence of self-employed entrepreneurs by proposing an increase in income tax which experts believe will perpetuate the decrease in the labor force The European Parliament calls to "reconsider" its diplomatic relations with Minsk calling the detention of its senior diplomat in Minsk "unacceptable and deplorable." the EU also establishes a "contact group" to foster regular dialogue with the Belarusian civil society and democratic opposition forces Russian use of two Belarusian military bases – Baranovichi and Vileika – was prolonged for 25 more years The previous agreement was signed in 1995 and expired in May 2021 yet remained in possession of Russian forces The Baranovichi station detects and coordinates missile launches while the Vileika station is a Russian naval communication hub Belarusian territory has been used as a staging ground for the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine since February 2022 Although Belarusian troops haven't joined the offensive directly Belarus offered its infrastructure and facilities to conduct airstrikes and rocket launches against Ukraine It is reported that Moscow now also controls Ziabrauka airport in the southeastern part of Belarus Russian military forces were also spotted in the southwestern Brest region Lithuanian border guards published a surveillance camera video showing masked people coming from Belarus and damaging the fence at the Belarusian-Lithuanian border Migrants later used the breach at the border Lithuania and Poland reported increased illegal border crossings, with over 100 attempts registered on Sept Lithuania prolonged the state of emergency in the areas bordering Belarus To curb the inflow of illegal migrants, Poland and Lithuania built 5-meter tall fences 186 km and 550 km long The published video proves that the border breaches occurred with the help of Belarusian border control officers spotted with metal-cutting scissors The migration crisis at the Belarusian border began in July 2021, when the regime started luring migrants from the Middle East to Minsk with the false promise of easy entry to the EU The crisis climaxed in November 2021 when an estimated 20,000 migrants were present in Belarus 5,000 migrants were stuck between borders facing pushbacks from Polish border guards and coerced to attempt new crossings from the Belarusian side Human Rights activists report violence and abuse in the Belarusian Bruzgi refugee camp stationed over 4000 refugees seeking to cross the border On Sept. 11, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Belarus Andrei Matsievich met with 22 members of the newly formed "people's militia" in Lobzha One of the militia members was previously prosecuted for assault Lukashenko ordered the creation of people's militias in Belarus on May 27 up to 50 people in every town should comprise the unit of people's militia and receive weapons in case of war or civil unrest he warned against the uncontrolled distribution of firearms Ukraine's Interior Ministry reported that Ukrainian forces conducted military exercises in Zhytomyr and Volyn oblasts near the country's border with Belarus on Sept The exercises conducted by Ukrainian troops involved demining The Ukrainian drills reportedly responded to Belarusian exercises held from Sept in which simulations allegedly focused on crossing the Belarusian border with Ukraine Deputy Chief of Ukraine's General Staff Oleksii Hromov said Belarus' drills likely focused on taking parts of Ukraine that Minsk deems so-called "lost territories," potentially including parts of Ukraine's Volyn Franak Viachorka, an advisor to Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, suggests that Belarus' drills are intended to keep Ukraine on "high alert." Ukraine's military has noted that the chance of a Belarusian offensive against Ukraine remains low The "Terror" Battalion, comprised of Belarusian nationals fighting as part of Ukraine's military, took part in Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces in Kherson Oblast over 1,500 Belarusian volunteers are fighting alongside Ukrainian troops The EU condemned the detention of EU chargée d'affaires in Belarus Evelina Schulz on Sept calling the move "unacceptable and deplorable." Belarusian authorities detained Schulz for two hours at a police station in Minsk after she attended a trial held for political prisoners last week two Belarusian human rights activists were sentenced to 15 and 6 years in prison The European Parliament issued a statement on Sept 8 saying the detention was a "blatant violation of international agreements ratified by Belarus itself," including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations It demanded a review of the EU's diplomatic presence in Minsk The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers has decided to establish a "Contact group" through which it will hold regular exchanges with Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and other Belarusian democratic opposition forces and civil society Ireland has prioritized institutional support for those who wish to build a democratic and free Belarus one that will work with its European partners to protect human rights and promote the rule of law," said the Committee of Ministers chair the Committee of Ministers "suspended all relations" with Belarusian authorities due to its role as a co-belligerent in Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine According to Tsikhanouskaya, the ultimate aim is for Belarus to join the Council of Europe once Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko is ousted from power Members of the local Belarusian and Ukrainian diaspora protest on Aug (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images) The first all-female unit trained by BYPOL, the organization of exiled Belarusian law enforcement that opposes Lukashenko's regime, has reportedly completed training in Poland The women are being trained in line with BYPOL's "Peramoha," or Victory, plan, an initiative intent upon training forces to resist Lukashenko's regime and to restore the rule of law in Belarus the trained forces will be equipped to withstand aggression from the regime's security forces BYPOL was founded in 2020 amid the mass protests that followed Lukashenko's fraudulent presidential election win Created in August 2021 and supported by Belarusian opposition leader Tskikhanouskaya over 200,000 Belarusians are said to have registered for the initiative Belarus' Supreme Court has labeled BYPOL a "terrorist organization." Belarusian Economy Minister Aliaksandr Charviakou said in a meeting with Belarus' Council of Ministers on Sept. 9 that a bill had been drafted to bar self-employed entrepreneurs from using the country's simplified taxation system The income tax required of entrepreneurs will reportedly rise from 16% to 20% in 2023 and 25% in 2024 Lukashenko has also said he wants to restrict the types of activities self-employed entrepreneurs can engage in although he did not provide further details Ales Aliakhnovich, the economic reforms representative at Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office, noted that the drafted bill would likely worsen the conditions under which many self-employed entrepreneurs in Belarus work. This new measure may also force many Belarusians to shut down their businesses. The agreement between the governments of Belarus and the Russian Federation on the development and series production of the Osvey twin-engine light multipurpose aircraft is being prepared for ratification. The corresponding draft law has been published on the National Legal Internet Portal, BelTA has learned. Share on FacebookShare on VKShare on TwitterThe main contractor from the Russian side is Ural Works of Civil Aviation, the co-contractor from the Belarusian side is 558 Aircraft Repair Plant based in Baranovichi. In accordance with the agreement, the Belarusian side shall set up a serial production of the Osvey aircraft. The Russian side shall place orders with 558 Aircraft Repair Plant to manufacture at least 178 fuselages in the period up to 2038. The Belarusian plant shall also manufacture 50% of the Osvey aircraft as part of the comprehensive program for the development of Russia's national aviation industry through 2030 (at least 89 aircraft). As it has been reported, Belarus and the Russian Federation is set to produce a prototype of the Osvey aircraft in late 2026 - early 2027 and begin testing it. 20222:06 PM UTCSatellite images show build-up of Russian forces near UkraineRussia has massed tens of thousands of troops on its borders with Ukraine and Western states fear Moscow is planning a new assault on a country it invaded in 2014 [1/27]A view of missiles at the Osipovichi training ground Courtesy of ©2022 Maxar TechnologiesMOGILEV [2/27]An overview of military deployments in Novoozernoye Courtesy of Satellite image ©2022 Maxar TechnologiesNOVOOZERNOYE [3/27]An overview of troops at the Lesnovsky training area Courtesy of Satellite image ©2022 Maxar TechnologiesBARANOVICHI ©2022 Maxar Technologies/via REUTERSYELNYA [5/27]Russian battle group deployments and artillery support equipment at Pogonovo training area near Voronezh ©2022 Maxar Technologies/via REUTERSVORONEZH [6/27]Armoured personnel carriers and trucks at Klimovo storage facility in Klimovo ©2022 Maxar Technologies/via REUTERSKLIMOVO ©2022 Maxar Technologies/via REUTERSYELNYA [9/27]A closer view of Russian tanks and artillery tents at Pogonovo training area near Voronezh ©2022 Maxar Technologies/via REUTERSVORONEZH [11/27]A satellite image shows Russian tanks and artillery support equipment parked in Yelnya ©2022 Maxar Technologies/via REUTERSYELNYA [12/27]A satellite image shows an overview of Russian deployments at Pogonovo training area near Voronezh [13/27]A Russian battle group deployment in Kursk Training Area ©2021 Maxar TechnologiesKURSK TRAINING AREA [14/27]A Russian battle group deployment in Opuk Training Area Maxar Technologies/via REUTERSOPUK TRAINING AREA [15/27]An overview of a Russian brigade-level unit in Bakhchysarai Maxar Technologies/via REUTERSBAKHCHYSARAI [16/27]An overview of a Russian battle group training in Opuk Training Area [17/27]An overview of a Russian battle group deployment in Opuk Training Area Maxar Technologies/via REUTERSOPUK TRAINING AREA [18/27]Russian armored units training in Pogonovo Training Area near Voronezh Maxar Technologies/via REUTERSPOGONOVO TRAINING AREA [19/27]A Russian battle group deployment in Pogonovo Training Area near Voronezh Maxar Technologies/via REUTERSPOGONOVO TRAINING AREA [20/27]A closer view of military troop tents and armoured vehicles in Yevpatoria Courtesy ©2022 Maxar Technologies/via REUTERSYEVPATORIA More in this CollectionSee all picturesItem 21 of 27 A Russian battle group deployment in Pogonovo Training Area near Voronezh Maxar Technologies/via REUTERS[21/27]A Russian battle group deployment in Pogonovo Training Area near Voronezh Maxar Technologies/via REUTERSShare this gallery , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved The russian government and the belarusian Ministry of Defense have signed urgent contracts for the repair and restoration of aviation equipment of the russian federation This was reported by the Defense Intelligence of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine The Defense Intelligence of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine notes that mainly Belarusian "guest workers" perform work mainly with MiG-29 fighter jets and their modifications Chris Biggers is a public and private sector consultant based in Washington DigitalGlobe imagery from June 2016 shows the departure of Russia’s SU-27SM from Baranovichi The Russian Air Force appears to have recalled their Su-27SM from Belarus a review of satellite imagery of the 61st Fighter Airbase in Baranovichi suggests Russia had 4 Su-27SM Flanker parked in revetments on the Quick Reaction Alert apron since December 2013 The multi-role fighters originally deployed as part of an advanced element that would eventually form a full forward deployed squadron Space snapshots acquired between May and September have not shown the return of the aircraft to the apron A review of other active and reserve airfields also indicate they were not redeployed within the country Although no official reporting has mentioned the relocation, their absence may be a further sign that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko managed to quell Russian plans for an airbase on the territory Belarus may have even found a way to get new equipment to support the declining air defence arm the country signed a deal with Irkut to procure new Su-30SM fighters Details regarding their potential sale were not made public The SU-30SM are expected to replace Belarus’ ageing MIG-29 of which 10 were recently refurbished by the 558th Aircraft Repair Plant. Five of the aircraft were recently pulling QRA duty with the Russian fighters. Kazakhstan also took delivery of four SU-30SM fighters from Russia last year Russia’s move to support separatists in Ukraine has created additional unease in Minsk Lukashenko’s loyalty doesn’t appear to be what it once was A battered economy highly exposed to Russian sanctions has pushed Eastern Europe’s last strongman to consider further Western style reforms Between 19 September – 01 October, Belarus is hosting another IMF mission in the attempts to secure a $3 billion loan The Washington-based organization is hoping to push for greater structural changes which include increasing the role of private companies and reducing that of state owned enterprises Russia also has other levers to influence Belarus’ decisions and further promote its own interests The supply and subsidy of Russian oil and gas is a tried and true measure that highly affects Belarus’ GDP growth Q4 oil supplies from Russia were recently announced which put overall oil deliveries to the country at 18 million tons This year oil cuts alone have accounted for a Belarusian GDP reduction of .03 per cent according to the Belarusian Prime Minister Bottom Line: Russia’s neighbor is economically vulnerable With Belarus decommissioning a sizable part of its air force — its entire fleet of Su-24s and Su-27s — developments with Russia This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Learn about the EBRD's journey to investing more than €210 billion in over 7,400 projects business services and involvement in high-level policy reform We draw on three decades of regional knowledge and financial expertise to tailor our products and approaches to each client's needs Engage with us Contact us Cookies are pieces of code used to track website usage and give audiences the best possible experience Use the buttons to confirm whether you agree with default cookie settings when using ebrd.com We use Adobe Analytics cookies to measure usage of the website in order to improve it and respond to end user actions. We review anonymised data on how people reach the site, where they click and so forth. Learn more here about specifics of our cookie use We use Adobe marketing cookies to enable us to customise ebrd.com to tailor the website and email marketing services based on the interests of each end user Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article Area 12,500 square miles (32,300 square km) A special wedding was held on 20 May in Baranavichy. According to intex-press.by They met through a common passion for dog training That is why they took German shepherds as "witnesses" to the wedding. There could be no other ideas for the witnesses our dogs Teddy and Flora became them," says the bride Iryna. The dogs had special costumes made for the occasion Become a journalist!Report topic! Support usDonate Jelgava City Municipality has suspended cooperation agreements with cities whose countries have carried out military attacks on the territory of Ukraine. Jelgava cooperation agreements with the Russian city of Magadan and the Belarusian city of Baranovichi have been suspended. “This step has been taken in support of Ukraine and in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, who are experiencing severe military attacks”,- Chairman of Jelgava City Council Andris Rāviņš. A twinning agreement was signed with Baranovich in 2003 and with Magadan in 2006. [email protected] On July 6, Oleh Suprunyuk, a journalist with the “First Region” newspaper, was detained in Brest, Belarus, on charges of creating and distributing "extremist material," as ZMINA human rights center reported. the journalist was taken to the Leninsky District Court of Brest for consideration of a case concerning the preparation of editorial material in which the photo was previously considered "extremist." Suprunyuk faces a large fine or administrative arrest It is about the publication of the news about the inclusion of Volodymyr Hundar in the list of persons involved in “terrorist activities”. He was later tried for "violence or threatening an official". The publication about Hundar's detention used a photo of this Baranovichi activist in a shirt with an ornament. Law enforcement officers saw a swastika in the pattern of the ornament ”the First Region newspaper said in a statement Baranovichi activist Volodymyr Hundar was searched on December 30 2020 . He was charged with terrorism under Article 289 of the Criminal Code of Belarus as well as violence or threats against an official under Article 366 of the Criminal Code. Reprinting and disseminating our information is allowed but under strictly condition of reference to the source June 28 (Sputnik) – Russia’s Ural Works of Civil Aviation plant and the aircraft repair plant in the Belarusian city of Baranavichy are working together to develop a light multipurpose aircraft Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday “The Ural Works of Civil Aviation and the aircraft repair plant in the Belarusian city of Baranavichy are working together to develop a light multipurpose aircraft,” Putin said in a video address to the participants of a plenary meeting of the Forum of Regions of Russia and Belarus Russian and Belarusian companies have also begun to cooperate in the production of optical and photonic equipment for communications systems The two countries will implement a number of joint high-tech projects aimed at import substitution and the creation of new advanced production facilities Leave A Reply and website in this browser for the next time I comment commenced service in 1994 with outdated equipment and limited manpower but with the first of its kind and new style in the country’s broadcast media industry