Belarus Accuses Ukraine of Drone Incursion Amid Escalating Tensions
On August 16, 2024, Belarus has taken major steps in response to allegations of a Ukrainian drone incursion. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry summoned diplomats from both the European Union and Ukraine to address claims that Ukrainian drones crossed into Belarusian airspace on August 9, 2024. The ministry stated that Belarusian military forces intercepted and downed these drones.
The EU Charge d’Affaires to Belarus, Steen Noerlov, was summoned on August 12. The Belarusian authorities expressed concerns about a potential “radical escalation” and urged the EU to influence Ukraine to prevent such “provocations.” Belarusian officials also claimed that some parts of the downed drones had EU markings.
On August 10, Ukraine’s Charge d’Affaires, Olha Tymush, received a stern warning from Belarus. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry indicated that if Ukraine could not prevent further “provocations,” it would reconsider the need for Ukraine’s diplomatic presence in Minsk. Belarus also reached out to the United Nations Security Council and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe regarding the alleged incident.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Heorhiy Tykhiy, dismissed the claims, suggesting that Belarus is known for making unfounded statements. He characterized the allegations as lacking substantial merit and not warranting a formal response.
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko had previously described the incident as a Ukrainian provocation. However, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group contradicted this, reporting no evidence of Ukrainian drones in Belarusian airspace on August 9, 2024. The group labeled Lukashenko’s claims as “nonsense.”
In another development, Lukashenko proposed a bill aimed at criminalizing violence and threats against any incumbent or former Belarusian president. The proposed legislation includes penalties of up to eight years in prison for such offenses. The bill also seeks to criminalize the unauthorized release of military information, with potential prison terms ranging from three to six years.
Lukashenko’s proposal comes amid his ambiguous statements about his future political plans. He has previously expressed both intentions to run for re-election and statements suggesting a potential departure from office. His conflicting remarks have been a recurring feature of his political career.
On August 9, 2024, marking the fourth anniversary of the disputed 2020 presidential elections in Belarus, Western nations including the United States, Canada, and the UK imposed new sanctions against Lukashenko’s regime. The sanctions target individuals and companies linked to Lukashenko’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. They also affect Lukashenko’s presidential plane and entities involved in sanction evasion.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury emphasized that the sanctions were a response to Lukashenko’s corrupt and anti-democratic actions, as well as his support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The UK also imposed sanctions on officials and companies involved in human rights abuses and military support.
In a related development, Belarusian authorities sentenced a 63-year-old woman, Natallia Malets, to three and a half years in prison for providing financial aid to political prisoners. Malets had been convicted of aiding extremist activities, including making money transfers to political prisoners.
The Viasna Human Rights Group reported that Malets’s case is part of a broader trend of increasing repression in Belarus. A recent study indicates a record high in politically motivated criminal cases, with a significant rise in the number of political prisoners and trials of independent media.
The study, “Barometer of Repression in Belarus,” highlights the ongoing crackdown on dissent and predicts continued pressure on political opposition leading up to the 2025 presidential elections. The number of recognized political prisoners in Belarus has surged, reflecting the intensifying repression of political and civil freedoms.
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