Alexander Lukashenko
The Sad and Murky Tale of Roman Protasevich
One year after Belarus grounded a plane to arrest dissident blogger Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega, she’s languishing in jail while he supposedly has a new wife. What happened?
How Russia Used the War in Ukraine to ‘Occupy’ Another Neighbouring Country
Belarus has been turned into a vassal state by the Kremlin during the Ukraine war by allowing soldiers and munitions to pass through it, Belarus' opposition says.
‘We Can Hurt Them in Ways They Don’t Understand’: Ukraine on Russia Cyber-War
An apparent hack of the railway network in Russia’s ally Belarus hints at the prospect of a massive new wave of cyber warfare over Ukraine, security officials told VICE World News.
How Europe’s ‘Last Dictator’ Created a Migrant Crisis
After the Belarusian government crushed a pro-democracy movement last year, the EU responded with sanctions. Now the bloc is accusing the country’s authoritarian leadership of purposefully pushing thousands of migrants across its borders.
‘Hero’ Activist Makes Heart Symbol As She's Jailed for 11 Years
Maria Kolesnikova had been hailed for her bravery when she ripped up her passport to prevent authorities in Belarus from forcibly deporting her. She was similarly defiant in the face of her lengthy sentence.
Watch This Activist Defy Europe’s Last Dictator by Dancing at the Start of Her Trial
Last year Maria Kolesnikova ripped up her passport so the regime could not deport her. She faces 12 years in prison for helping organise pro-democracy protests.
Activist Who Helped People Flee ‘Europe's Last Dictator’ Found Hanged in Park
Police said they would investigate whether Vitaly Shishov had been murdered, as Belarus opposition figures warned that the regime of Alexander Lukashenko was becoming more brazen in its crackdown on dissent.
Olympic Sprinter Whose Own Team Tried to ‘Kidnap’ Her Now Seeking Asylum
Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, a 24-year-old sprinter, refused to fly back to her authoritarian homeland, citing fears for her safety after she publicly criticised Olympic team officials.
Belarusian or Russian Agents ‘Stalked’ Roman Protasevich During His Holiday in Greece
Russian passport-holders tracked the dissident blogger for days in Crete before he boarded a fateful flight home, a Greek official told VICE World News.
‘Nobody Will Escape’: Why Belarus Risked Everything to Arrest a 26-Year-Old Blogger
Friends and colleagues of Roman Protasevich tell VICE World News they’re still in shock at how he was snatched from the skies by Belarus' strongman president.
Belarus ‘Hijacked’ a Passenger Plane to Arrest a 26-Year-Old Journalist
Western governments have reacted with fury after a Ryanair flight was forced to land in Minsk so Belarusian authorities could detain Roman Protasevich, who reportedly told fellow passengers he could face the death penalty.
The Ex-Cops Trying To Take Down Europe's Last Dictator
A secretive group of cops turned activists is taking on a regime's brutal security forces. And they believe they can win.