Belarus' Support For Russia: Key Strategies And Motivations

Belarus has been a close ally of Russia and has supported its eastern neighbour in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Before the invasion, Belarus allowed the Russian Armed Forces to perform military drills on its territory and did not ask Russian troops to leave the country after they were supposed to finish. Belarus also allowed Russia to stage part of the invasion from its territory, giving Russia the shortest possible land route to Kyiv. Belarus has permitted Russia to station missile launchers on its territory and shoot at Ukrainian targets. In addition, Belarus has allowed Russian nuclear weaponry to be stationed on its soil.

Belarus allowed Russia to use its territory to invade Ukraine

Belarus has been heavily criticised for allowing Russia to use its territory to invade Ukraine. In the lead-up to the invasion, Belarus allowed the Russian Armed Forces to perform weeks-long military drills on its territory. However, the Russian troops did not leave Belarus after the drills were supposed to finish. This gave Russia the shortest possible land route to Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. Belarus also allowed Russia to use its military airbases, air defence and traffic control systems, and fuelling stations.

In the initial stages of the conflict, Belarus lent its territory to Russian soldiers to attack Ukraine, but there is no evidence that it sent its own soldiers to fight. On the day of the invasion, Russian troops entered Ukraine from Belarus via the unpopulated Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and seized the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Belarus also allowed Russian missile launchers to be stationed on its territory and shoot at Ukrainian targets.

In response to Belarus's involvement in the invasion, the UK, EU, US, and Canada imposed sanctions on the country.

Belarus has supported Russia in the UN

Furthermore, Belarus and Russia are both members of the United Nations and have a history of coordinating their efforts within the organization. For example, in a joint statement in 2012, the leaders of both countries vowed to "coordinate efforts to counter attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of the Union State and apply pressure through the introduction of restrictive measures or sanctions." This statement demonstrates the alignment of Belarus and Russia in the UN and their commitment to countering external pressure or sanctions.

Additionally, Belarus has supported Russia by revoking its neutral and non-nuclear status in a 2022 constitutional referendum. This allowed for the stationing of Russian tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian soil, which was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2023. This decision was met with condemnation from the Belarusian opposition leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In summary, Belarus has supported Russia in the UN by providing military access and coordination, participating in psychological operations, and revoking its non-nuclear status to allow the stationing of Russian nuclear weapons. These actions have contributed to the alignment of Belarus and Russia in the UN and their joint efforts to counter external pressure and sanctions.

Belarus has allowed Russia to station nuclear weapons on its soil

The decision to station nuclear weapons in Belarus is a result of a deal between Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Putin argued that this move would not breach non-proliferation agreements and that it was similar to arrangements the US has with its European allies. However, this decision marks the first time Russia has announced a plan to station nuclear weapons in another country.

The nuclear weapons deal between Russia and Belarus has been criticized by various parties, including Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who stated that the deployment "grossly contradicts the will of the Belarusian people." The Atlantic Council think tank described Belarus as a "puppet state" due to this decision.

In addition to allowing the stationing of nuclear weapons, Belarus has also played a role in supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Belarus allowed Russian forces to conduct military drills on its territory and provided Russia with the shortest land route to invade Ukraine. Belarus has also allowed Russian missile launchers to be stationed on its soil and fired at Ukrainian targets.

The involvement of Belarus in the Russian invasion has led to sanctions being imposed by the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan. Despite assurances from Lukashenko that Belarusian forces would not directly participate in the conflict, there have been reports of Belarusian troops fighting alongside Russians in Ukraine.

Belarus has arrested people for supporting Ukraine

Belarus has arrested hundreds of its citizens for showing solidarity with Ukraine and expressing anti-war sentiments. According to a report by the Viasna human rights center, at least 1,671 Belarusians have been detained, with at least 200 of them sentenced to prison terms ranging from one to 25 years on charges of "extremism" and "conspiracy against the state." The report also alleges that those detained were subjected to torture, inhumane conditions, and forced psychiatric treatment.

The crackdown on pro-Ukraine supporters in Belarus is part of a broader campaign by the authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko to suppress dissent ahead of the January 2025 presidential election, in which he is seeking a seventh term. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus for over 30 years, has been accused of intensifying the crackdown on political opponents, dissidents, and anyone deemed critical of his regime.

The arrests of pro-Ukraine supporters in Belarus have raised concerns among human rights activists and the international community. Ihor Kyzym, a Ukrainian diplomat and former ambassador to Belarus, stated that at least 12 Ukrainians in Belarus have been convicted on charges of "extremism" and alleged links to Ukrainian security agencies. He also noted that those sentenced include a 16-year-old student, a Ukrainian official, and individuals with relatives in Belarus.

The situation highlights the ongoing human rights abuses and repression occurring in Belarus under Lukashenko's rule. Human rights activists estimate that Belarus is currently holding approximately 1,300 political prisoners, many of whom are denied proper medical care and contact with their families.

In addition to the arrests, Belarus has also played a significant role in supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Belarus allowed Russian forces to use its territory to invade Ukraine and has permitted the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons within its borders.

Belarus has provided military hardware and munitions to Russia

Belarus has been a close ally of Russia and has supported its eastern neighbour in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Belarus has provided military hardware and munitions to Russia and allowed the Russian Armed Forces to perform military drills on its territory.

In the initial stages of the conflict, Belarus lent its territory to Russian soldiers to attack Ukraine, but did not send its own soldiers into the conflict. Belarus allowed Russia full access to its military airbases for Russian military aircraft to launch aircraft and its army installations to shoot artillery and missiles from its territory towards Ukraine.

In March 2022, Oleksandr Kamyshin, head of Ukrainian Railways, stated that there was no longer a railway connection between Ukraine and Belarus, so Russian equipment from Belarus would not be able to be delivered. However, in August 2024, Belarus announced the transfer of an Iskander missile, Polonez MLRS and special forces to areas bordering Ukraine, and the deployment of tanks to the Belarus-Ukraine border.

In addition to providing military support, Belarus has also allowed Russian missile launchers to be stationed on its territory and permitted them to shoot at Ukrainian targets. Belarus has also participated in Russia's psychological and informational operations that precede any new phase in the Russo-Ukrainian War. For example, leaked Pentagon documents revealed Russian efforts in the first half of 2023 to create the impression among Ukrainian intelligence of a potential second offensive originating from Belarus.

The involvement of Belarus in the conflict has been condemned by Western countries, including the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan, which have imposed sanctions against the country.

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