Alexander Lukashenko

Belarus opposition leader freed from jail in US-brokered deal

Former Belarusian opposition leader Siarhei Tsikhanouski was freed to Lithuania in a US-brokered deal.

 Belarus opposition leader Syarhei Tsikhanouski hugs wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya after, she said that, he was released from prison in this screengrab taken from a social media video released on June 21, 2025.
 Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko visit the Valaam Monastery in the Republic of Karelia, Russia July 24, 2023.

Belarus leader: I urged Wagner's Prigozhin to 'watch out'

 Polish soldier squats ahead of a press conference, a week before the National Army Day Parade, at Wesola military base in Warsaw, Poland, August 8, 2023.

Poland plans to send up to 10,000 soldiers to border with Belarus

 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks to journalists during his visit to a military-industrial complex facility in the Minsk Region, Belarus June 13, 2023.

Lukashenko taunts Poland again over Wagner troops near border


Tensions rising between Belarus and Wagner Group, Lukashenko tells Putin

The Belarusian leader reportedly showed Putin a map of the alleged movement of Polish troops near the Belarusian cities of Brest and Grodno along the border.

 Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attend a meeting in Saint Petersburg, Russia July 23, 2023.

Belarus leader says: I'm not the last dictator in Europe

Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus since 1994, dismissed claims that he was "Europe's last dictator" on Thursday.

 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attends a meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon in Dushanbe, Tajikistan October 11, 2022

Prigozhin back in Russia, Wagner deployment unclear - Belarus

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, is no longer in Belarus and there are reports that he may have returned to Russia.

Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group stand on a tank outside a local circus near the headquarters of the Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023

Putin wanted to wipe out Prigozhin during Wagner's mutiny in Russia - Lukashenko

Despite an agreement de-escalating the situation being struck shortly after the start of Prigozhin's brief mutiny, the Belarusian president said Putin wanted the Wagner leader "wiped out."

 Russian President Vladimir Putin gives an emergency televised address in Moscow, Russia, June 24, 2023, in this still image taken from a video.

Lukashenko confirms Wagner founder Prigozhin is in Belarus

"I see Prigozhin is already flying in on this plane," President Alexander Lukashenko was quoted as saying. "Yes, indeed, he is in Belarus today."

 Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin leaves the headquarters of the Southern Military District amid the group's pullout from the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023.

Jet linked to mercenary Prigozhin flies to Belarus from Russia

Following the cessation of the brief Wagner revolt in Russia, a deal was reached exiling Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to Belarus. Now, a jet linked to the Wagner leader arrived in Minsk.

 Embraer Legacy 600 jet

Rebel Russian mercenaries return to base under deal ending advance on Moscow

The deal de-escalating Wagner's brief mutiny has resulted in Wagner fighters pulling out of the Russian town they initially seized on their way to Moscow.

 Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin leaves the headquarters of the Southern Military District amid the group's pullout from the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023

Russian ally Belarus starts 'mobilization exercises'

Belarus allowed Russia to use it as one of the launchpads for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year. It has held frequent exercises with Russia and let Russian forces use its bases.

 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks to journalists during his visit to a military-industrial complex facility in the Minsk Region, Belarus June 13, 2023.

Deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus not time-limited - senior Russian diplomat

The deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus is Moscow's first move of such warheads outside Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union.

 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks to journalists during his visit to a military-industrial complex facility in the Minsk Region, Belarus June 13, 2023.

Belarus starts receiving Russian nuclear weapons - Lukashenko

The deployment is Moscow's first move of such warheads outside Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union.

 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks to journalists during his visit to a military-industrial complex facility in the Minsk Region, Belarus June 13, 2023.

Belarus on high alert after 'four aircraft shot down' over Russia - Lukashenko

Lukashenko's reported visit to the base was his first public appearance in almost a week, following speculation over the health of the 68-year-old leader.

Ukrainian military helicopter flies over a village, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine April 29, 2023