This time I used a Russian song ". Since the November 1996 referendum, Lukashenko has effectively held all governing power in the nation. Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko (as transliterated from Russian; also transliterated from Belarusian as Alyaksand(a)r Ryhoravich Lukashenka;[b] born 30 August 1954) is a Belarusian politician who has been the first and only president of Belarus since the establishment of the office on 20 July 1994, making him the longest-sitting European president.[4][5]. [199] Commenting on the war in Ukraine the President of Belarus has said that he didn't expect the conflict drag on this way. [200], Lukashenko's relationship with the EU has been strained, in part by choice and in part by his policies towards domestic opponents. Though never confirmed by the government, it is widely believed that Nikolai's mother is Irina Abelskayathe two had an extramarital affair when she was Lukashenko's personal doctor. Belarus Likewise, the Flora pattern camouflage produced in Belarus has a slightly different coloration to most of the Russian versions. [49] S-400 air defense systems and 9K720 Iskander tactical ballistic missiles were delivered in 2022. Lukashenka Calls Russian Media Attacks 'Dirty Propaganda', "Lukashenka Accuses Moscow Of Pressuring Belarus Into Russian Merger", "Belarus: Lukashenko accuses Russian mercenaries, critics of plotting attack", "Russia warns Belarus will pay price for contractors' arrests", "Belarus ruler Lukashenko says Russia lying over 'mercenaries', "Belarusian President Accuses Russia Of Trying To Cover Up Vagner Group Election Plot", "Belarus ruler says Russia lying over 'mercenaries', "Belarus Warns Against New EU Sanctions, Says Could Cut Gas", "Putin chides Lukashenko over threat to cut off gas to EU", "Ukraine says it was attacked through Russian, Belarus and Crimea borders", "Belarus leader calls for dialogue with European Union", "Belarus Denounces Iraqi Aggression: Lukashenko", "John Bolton's Belarus trip stirs threat to Putin", "Bolton Says U.S.-Belarus Dialogue Necessary, Despite 'Significant Issues', "Why National Security Adviser John Bolton's Trip to Belarus Matters", "Market Socialism in Belarus: An Alternative to China's Socialist Market Economy", "China Praises Lukashenko for His Successful Opposition to the West", "Xi and Lukashenko call for 'soonest' peace in Ukraine at China-Belarus summit", "President Assad receives Congratulations from the President of Belarus: Confidence in Syria Elimination of Current Crisis", "Statement released by the Foreign Ministry in connection with the missile strikes and bombings on Libya", "Lukashenko outraged by Gaddafi's treatment", "Libya: Belarusian President Lukashenko says NATO 'did worse than the Nazis', "Lukashenko highlights Belarus' cooperation with Latin America", "Australia places additional sanctions on Russia and Belarus", "Belarusian leaders and defence entities targeted under latest round of sanctions", "Japan hits Russia and Belarus with more sanctions over Ukraine invasion", "LUKASHENKO REFUSES TO RETRACT PRAISE OF HITLER", Jewish Heritage Research Group in Belarus, "Kirk-Hastings Letter Calls on Belarusian President to Apologize for Blatantly Anti-Semitic Remarks", "FM Livni condemns anti-Semitic remarks made by Belarusian President", Germany rebukes Lukashenko over anti-gay comment | euronews, world news, "Belarus's Lukashenko: "Better a dictator than gay", World News 'Better a dictator than gay,' Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko says, "In Belarus, Women Led the Protests and Shattered Stereotypes", "Dismissed as 'poor things', three women try to unseat male president of Belarus", "World bows to Jews, says Belarusian President Lukashenko in anti-Semitic outburst", "Belarus President condemned by Israel for saying world "bows" to Jews over Holocaust", "Belarusian president: Whole world 'bows' to Jews due to Holocaust", "Belarus leader: Jews caused the world 'to kneel' before them", "Political Grip Shaky, Belarus Leader Blames Longtime Ally: Russia", "The House That Lukashenko Built: The Foundation, Evolution, and Future of the Belarusian Regime", "Belarus presidential election: Will the lights go out on Lukashenko? 240,000 soldiers and officers were serving in the Belarusian Military District. On 16 October 2005, on the Day of Solidarity with Belarus, the political groups Zubr and Third Way Belarus encouraged all opposition parties to rally behind one candidate to oppose Lukashenko in the 2006 election. [255] His two elder sons also play ice hockey, sometimes alongside their father. Despite clearly contradicting Article 89 of the constitution, Belarusian authorities praised the decree and declared it fully complies with legislation and is constitutional. Copies of a report by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which linked senior Belarusian officials to the cases of disappearances, were confiscated. Since about 2001, territorial defence forces, which as of 2002 number around 150,000, have been forming, organised into battalions, companies, and platoons spread across Belarus.[23]. [129] The governments of the United States,[12] United Kingdom and Canada have also refused to recognise the results. Lukashenko stated that he personally ordered the evacuation for security purposes. [46], Upon the outbreak of the Kosovo War in 1999, Lukashenko suggested to Yugoslav President Slobodan Miloevi that Yugoslavia join the Union of Russia and Belarus. [88], The CEC said that Lukashenko won 79.65% of the vote (he gained 5,130,557 votes) with 90.65% of the electorate voting. However, relations with Russia have not always run smoothly under his tenure, such as during the Milk War. [173], In an interview from September 2020 Lukashenko claimed that detainees faked their bruises, saying, "Some of the girls there had their butts painted in blue". Australian military uniforms and equipment. Richard Woff, 'Minsk: making limited progress with reform,'. Under current law, the prime minister assumes the presidential powers if the presidency becomes vacant, but Lukashenko said that the prime minister will only become the nominal leader and all decisions would be taken by the 20-person security council, by secret ballot. [49] Lukashenko won in the first round with 75.65% of the vote. We left things alone until it got to the point where others started attacking us and the memory of our efforts,". (Limited numbers still used for training, others in reserve). [6], Belarus conducted military reforms in the early 2000s which reshaped its armed forces as a relatively effective force for a small state in somewhat difficult economic conditions. This is a list of the equipment used by the Armed Forces of Belarus. EU officials also dismissed the accusations as "speculation". The nation holds a PwrIndx* score of 1.0485 (a score of 0.0000 is considered 'perfect'). He stated that Western governments were trying to undermine Belarus at all levels, even sports, during the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. This was held on 17 October 2004, the same day as parliamentary elections, and, according to official results, was approved by 79.42% of voters. Special Forces units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) have been documented wearing a close copy of the US m81. This design has been observed on riot control and special police troops. The institute said it was "highly unlikely" Belarusian forces would take part in the war, noting it would strain the nation's limited military resources and undermine Lukashenka's hold on power in . and adding "We are tolerant and likeable. Video, 00:00:19Watch: Massive flames rise from Crimea oil tank, Baby meets father for first time after Sudan escape. and has said that he believes that the president should be a conservative person and avoid using modern electronic technology such as a tablet or smartphone. "The Belarusian armed forces receive around 100 brand-new and upgraded systems a year", said in late July 2018, Belarusian Deputy Minister of Defence for Armament and Chief of Armament Major General Sergei Simonenko. Add to Wish List Add to Compare. The Battle Banner is awarded to formations, brigades/regiments, battalions, divisions, air squadrons, training units, and military educational institutions. Starting with an interview given in 2009 Lukashenko has said that his actual birthday is 31 August, the same as his son's Nikolai's. [248], Lukashenko fathered a son, Nikolai, who was born in 2004. [18] [25][26] He served in that position until July 1994. The military forces of Belarus are almost exclusively armed with Soviet-era equipment inherited from the Soviet Union. [45] Although the ambassadors eventually returned after the controversy died down, Lukashenko stepped up his rhetorical attacks against the West. [66] Lukashenko later commented that the opposition in Belarus was financed by foreign countries and was not needed. [191][192] On 24 January 2020, Lukashenko publicly accused Russian president Vladimir Putin of trying to make Belarus a part of Russia. [10] His disputed victory in the country's 2020 presidential election led to widespread allegations of vote rigging, which strongly amplified anti-government protests, the largest during his rule. Medal "In memory of the 850th anniversary of Moscow" (1997), Winner of the international premium of Andrey Pervozvanny "For Faith and Loyalty" (1995), Order of St. Cyril (by the Belarusian Orthodox Church) (2006), Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir, 1st Degree (2007), Keys to the City of Caracas, Venezuela (2010), Order of Distinguished Citizen (Caracas, Venezuela, 2010), Order of Francisco Miranda, First Class (Venezuela, 2010), Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, 1st Degree (2015) , Badge of the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Belarus "For Merit" (, Order of Heydar Aliyev (Azerbaijan, November 28, 2016) , This page was last edited on 1 May 2023, at 00:40. It was established as the Museum of the History of the Belarusian Military District, opened in Minsk on February 21, 1978. A new social media trend takes off in Belarus: men destroying their military or police uniforms. By early 2013 the numbers of military personnel had been scaled down nearly fourfold since 1991. As a landlocked nation, Belarus has no Naval Forces. Vaccination will remain voluntary. "[175], In January 2021, an audio recording was released in which the commander of internal troops and deputy interior minister of Belarus Mikalai Karpiankou tells security forces that they can cripple, maim and kill protesters in order to make them understand their actions. The move was condemned by opposition figures, with Tsikhanouskaya saying that Protasevich "faces the death penalty" in Belarus. On 25 November, it was announced that 70.5% of voters, of an 84% turnout, had approved the amended constitution. [28][29] The presidential inauguration was held in the halls of the Government House, on 20 July 1994, exactly ten days after the election, during a special meeting of the parliament, the Supreme Council. Most soldiers are conscripts serving for a period of 18 months, although there is an alternative service option. They are afraid to say a single word out of place,". [132][133], In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. [34] The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly found neither the referendum nor the 1995 Belarusian parliamentary election which took place in the same month to have met conditions for free and fair elections. Why? [40], Units under the command of commandants include military police, honour guards and military bands.[42]. Awarded for extreme acts of bravery or unwavering commitment and service benefiting the Republic of Belarus. ", Lawyers file suit against Belarus' Lukashenko in Germany, "Lukashenko Sworn in as Belarusian President", Belarusian Identity: the Impact of Lukashenka's Rule, , "The official internet-portal of the President of the Republic of Belarus/State Policy", "National Bank to peg Belarusian ruble to foreign currency system in 2009 Economy / News / Belarus Belarusian Belarus today | Minsk BELTA Belarus Belarusian Belarus today | Minsk BELTA", "Ruble devaluation spreads panic among Belarusians", "Belarus eyes new IMF loans Xinhua | English.news.cn", "BBC News RBS agrees to end work for Belarus", "Lukashism" has the potential to spread beyond Belarus, "A museum to commemorate victims of communism", "Statement on the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004", "Belarus protesters go on trial as new rallies loom", "No lockdown here: Belarus's strongman rejects coronavirus risks. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage Cap Hat Officer Belarus Army Border guard Military Uniform Size 56 at the best online prices at eBay! List of equipment of the Armed Forces of Belarus, "List of equipment of the Armed Forces of Belarus", Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Fading Into Oblivion: Belarus Fighting Vehicle List", International Institute for Strategic Studies, "Belarus army land ground forces military equipment armoured armored vehicle pictures Information UK | Belarus Army land ground forces UK | East Europe UK", International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_equipment_of_the_Armed_Forces_of_Belarus&oldid=1152434928. This page was last edited on 4 July 2022, at 06:41. [86] Sannikov's wife, journalist Irina Khalip, was put under house arrest. Combat Support Elements of the Armed Forces included Reconnaissance, Electronic Warfare, Signals, Engineer, NBC Defence, Navigation and Topography, and Maintenance organisations. The Belarusian Army considers itself a successor to the military of the Soviet Union . From October 2005 to January 2015, the Republican Council of the BSO was headed by retired Lieutenant General E. Mikulchik, and until November 2017 was led by retired Major General V. Just over three weeks later, he was inaugurated in the Independence Palace in the presence of attendees such as former president of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma, Chairman of the Russian Communist Party Gennady Zyuganov and Belarusian biathlete Darya Domracheva. [116], On 9 August 2020, according to the preliminary count, Lukashenko was re-elected for his sixth term as the President of Belarus. The Military Balance 2018 listed a brigade with the S-300P and a brigade with the S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator/SA-12B Giant). The following 2 files are in this category, out of 2 total. It's Kolya Lukashenko the next dictator of Belarus", "The Belarus Boy Wonder: Nikolai Lukashenko, 7, Anointed to become President", "Lukashenko denies reports he is grooming Nikolai as his successor", "Lukashenko takes dip in icy waters near Minsk to mark Epiphany", , , , "Lukashenko fields questions, ranging from the serious to the personal, in an unusual interview", "Belarus President's team win amateur ice hockey tournament for 11th time", "Ice Hockey finals in Belarus still on schedule", "Situation in Belarus. [238], According to a leaked internal poll, a third of the population had trust in Lukashenko. It declared independence in July of 1990, although retains state ownership of the economy and is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). [142] Lukashenko kept many industries under the control of the government. This move was seen to empower his son, to be in the perfect position to succeed him in the next elections, to also prevent the opposition gaining power and as insurance against a "bad" prime minister. [74][75][76] On the night of the election, opposition protesters chanting "Out! [11][12] This was done to commemorate anniversary of the Lithuanian-Polish victory at the Battle of Orsha, which was considered to be a Day of Belarusian Military Glory. [117] US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that the election was "not free [or] fair". Additionally, the Belorussian SSR hosted the 103rd Guards Airborne Division, the 38th Guards Airborne Brigade, the 11th Air Defence Corps of the 2nd Air Defence Army, and the 26th Air Army, as well as units and formations of the Strategic Rocket Forces, Long Range Aviation, the Navy, and special forces. On May 6, 1992, the Belorussian Military District was abolished. [163][164][165] By early May, Belarus was reported to have 15,000 diagnosed cases, one of the highest per capita rates of infection in Eastern Europe. [119][120] Subsequently, opposition presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claimed she had received between 60 and 70% of the vote[121][122] and formed a Coordination council to facilitate the peaceful and orderly transfer of power in Belarus. A major devaluation took place in 2011 after the government announced that average salaries would increase to US$500. [176][177], However, a phonoscopic examination of the audio recording confirmed that the voice on the recording belongs to Karpiankou. [258] In an interview he said that he plays ice hockey three times a week. A new social media trend has taken off in Belarus: men destroying their military or police uniforms. The Russian language was also given the same status as Belarusian, and economic ties with Russia were strengthened, which furthermore led to the creation of the Union State with Russia, which allows Belarusians to freely travel to, work, and study in Russia, and vice versa. [261] Lukashenko was instrumental in getting the 2014 IIHF World Championship in ice hockey to be hosted by Belarus which was considered controversial due to Lukashenko's repressive regime. No le reconocemos pero hay que tratarle", " ", "Secret Lukashenko Inauguration Triggers Fresh Belarus Clashes", "Belarus' Lukashenko says he will leave his post, state media reports", "IOC EB TAKES PROVISIONAL MEASURES AGAINST NOC OF BELARUS", One of the defendants in the "assassination attempt on Lukashenko" case is seeking refugee status in Ukraine, FSB involved Ukrainian nationalists in "preparing a coup in Belarus. Military surplus is traditionally excellent stuff; it combines durability with very affordable prices. The president is yet to sign the decree and it would also be unconstitutional as Article 89 states how emergency transition of power is set up. Every Belarusian man from age 18 to 27 is required to serve in the countrys military for a year or more.