Belarus

Ukrainian evacuees reach Belarus as Melania Trump-brokered Oleshky ceasefire takes effect

The local ceasefire in Oleshky was reached thanks to mediation efforts by US First Lady Melania Trump with the pope's involvement.

People disembark a plane carrying residents evacuated from the Russian-controlled Ukrainian town of Oleshky, in Gomel, Belarus October 31, 2026.
CELEBRATING HIS VICTORY over Daniel Santos in Las Vegas on Nov. 14, 2009, alongside legendary promoter Bob Arum, after becoming Israel’s first major professional boxing world champion. Arum had told Foreman that promoting a Jewish world champion was one of his ambitions.

Fighting for belonging: A Jewish boxer's extraordinary journey through poverty, faith, and tragedy

FILE PHOTO: Released political prisoners arrive in Vilnius after a prisoner release from Belarus on March 19, 2026. Belarus freed 250 political prisoners on March 19, 2026 following negotiations with the United States.

Belarus frees 25 more prisoners in return for easing of US sanctions

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attend a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Russia and Belarus, in Moscow, Russia February 26, 2026.

Russia pumps up pressure on Belarus to open new front in Ukraine war, eyes anti-NATO ops. - WSJ


Ukraine ploughs funding into fortifying border with Russia, Belarus

Belarus, the Kremlin's closest ally, initially supported the Russian invasion, opening its borders to Russian troops marching on Ukraine's capital Kyiv.

 The Ukrainian border guard patrols the international border with Belarus.

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

"We move the army closer to the border with Belarus to scare away the aggressor so that it does not dare to attack us," Blaszczak said.

 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.

Monument to Shimon Peres erected in Belarus on his 100th birthday

The monument stands in the courtyard of the house where Shimon Peres was born in his hometown of Vishnyeva, Belarus.

 Shimon Peres in 1996.

Lukashenko taunts Poland again over Wagner troops near border

"I have to teach my military, because an army that does not fight is half an army," Lukashenko stated.

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

More Wagner fighters move closer to Polish border, Poland PM says

This month, Poland began moving more than 1,000 troops to the east of the country amid rising concerns that the presence of Wagner fighters in Belarus could lead to increased tension on its border.

 Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group pull out of the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to base, in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023

Putin hosts Belarus leader, calls Ukraine's counter-offensive a failure

Lukashenko has not committed his small army to join Russia's war, but the risk of a new attack from Belarusian soil compels Ukraine to protect its northern border.

 UKRAINIAN TROOPS fire on Russian forces, near a front line in Donetsk region, this week. The economy is receding globally due to the impact of COVID-19 and the Ukraine war.

Putin tells Poland any aggression against Belarus is attack on Russia

Russia has in recent weeks begun stationing tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus for the first time.

 Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the Security Council via a video link in Moscow, Russia, July 21, 2023.

Military drone crashes in southwestern Poland - RMF

"Information obtained shows that during a training flight by US soldiers, contact with the drone was lost and it then fell into a forest area," the defense ministry wrote.

Parts of a Russian suicide drone are seen at a compound of a tobacco factory damaged during a strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine May 28, 2023.

Poland to move soldiers to east of country due to Wagner risks

"Training or joint exercises of the Belarusian army and the Wagner Group is undoubtedly a provocation," Zbigniew Hoffmann told PAP.

Russian service members move into positions, as part of a counter-terrorist operation declared after an armed mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group, in the Moscow region, Russia, June 24, 2023. A sign on a bus reads: "Children".

Belarus forces holding exercises with Wagner fighters on border with Poland

"The armed forces of Belarus continue joint training with the fighters of the Wagner PMC (Private Military Company)," the Belarusian defense ministry said.

 Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group pull out of the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to base, in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023