Three years of war. The persecution for supporting Ukraine
Today, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine is three years old. In our country, mass persecution for any support for Ukraine and expression of solidarity continues. As of February 24, 2025, at least 41 people in Belarus have been convicted of donating money to Belarusian volunteers. At least 30 people were convicted of intending to fight on the side of Ukraine. At least 93 people were convicted for sharing photos and videos of Russian military equipment with the media.
Ukrainians in Belarus have been actively persecuted since the outbreak of a full-scale war. Upon entering our country, they are closely examined and interrogated by the security services, and some are not allowed in without explanation. Some Ukrainians are prosecuted for "agent activity," "sabotage attempts," and "espionage." At least 13 Ukrainian citizens have been convicted in Belarus so far.
We present figures on persecution for supporting Ukraine and also recall the high-profile cases where Belarusians and citizens of other countries have been tried over the past year.
- Illustration by spring96.org
Persecution for supporting Ukraine in figures
As of February 24, 2025, at least 209 people, including 38 women, have been convicted in Belarus for supporting Ukraine.
At least 41 people were convicted of donating money to Belarusian volunteers. Usually, the Belarusian authorities regard donations as "financing a war" and convict Belarusians under Part 2 of Article 361-3 of the Criminal Code (financing participation in military operations on the territory of a foreign state). The intention to fight on the side of Ukraine is persecuted under Part 1 of Article 361-3 of the Criminal Code (participation in an armed formation or armed conflict on the territory of a foreign state, military operations, recruitment, or preparation of persons for such participation). At least 30 people were convicted under this article. Belarusians share photos and videos of the movement of Russian military equipment with independent media and initiatives, almost all of which are recognized by the authorities as "extremist formations." Because of this, Belarusians are subject to criminal prosecution for allegedly "facilitating extremist activities" (Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code) or for "creating an extremist formation" (Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code). At least 93 people were tried for this. Also, in connection with the war in Ukraine, people are tried for "treason to the state" (Article 356 of the Criminal Code) and for "an act of terrorism" (Article 289 of the Criminal Code). At least 35 and 24 people were convicted under these articles, respectively.
How Belarusians were persecuted for supporting Ukraine in the previous two years of the war in Ukraine can be read in last year's material here.
High-profile cases involving Belarusians and citizens of other countries
Persecution for any public support of Ukraine or for expressing a negative attitude about the war in the neighboring country continues in Belarus. The reason for the persecution may be the slogan "Glory to Ukraine" or the yellow-blue flag on the profile picture on social media. For this, citizens are subjected to administrative detention or fined.
In May 2024, event host Yury Kaputski was detained in Brest. He made a post on his Instagram page which said "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!"
This year, in June, a student was detained who wrote in an open Telegram chat about his desire to go to Ukraine and fight against the Russians. Pavel Ivanou, a resident of Viciebsk, was detained in the summer for writing comments in support of Ukraine.
- Katsiaryna Harstsiuchenka
In May, Katsiaryna Harstsiuchenka, an 18-year-old Ukrainian citizen, was detained at the Belarusian border. The woman was returning from Poland to Belarus. She was detained at the border for a 4-year-old photo on her phone.
- Pastor Aliaksandr Zaretski
Novalukomĺ pastor Aliaksandr Zaretski was detained on February 22, 2024, for praying for Ukraine. He was punished with administrative detention for 15 days under Article 19.11 of the Administrative Code. In March, he was again sentenced to 15 days of detention for allegedly "unauthorized picketing."
In April 2024, political prisoner Aliaksandr Randarenka, a Viciebsk physician, participated in an online chatroulette stream with a provocateur, during which he had a Ukrainian pennant on the table and, among other things, shouted "Glory to Ukraine." The man was sentenced to 75 days of administrative detention, for expressing support for Ukraine among other things. In the winter of the same year, he was sentenced in two criminal cases to 4 years in a penal colony.
Special proceedings have been initiated against eight Kalinoŭski Regiment fighters. They will be tried in absentia
This became known in December 2024. Aliaksei Manchynski, Raman Yeromenka, Pavel Kakhnovich, Yauhen Karankevich, Aliaksandr Piatrouski, Yauhen Salokhin, Yahor Ispiankou, as well as former political prisoner Tsikhan Kliukacha, were charged under several articles of the Criminal Code, including for intending to fight on the side of Ukraine (part 1 of Article 13 and part 1 of Article 361-3).
Kalinoŭski Regiment was recognized as a "terrorist organization"
The relevant decision was made by the Supreme Court of Belarus at the request of Prosecutor General Andrei Shved. This became known on September 25, 2024.
An illustrator from Brest got 6 years in a penal colony for donating to the Kalinoŭski Regiment
- Natallia Levaya
Political prisoner Natallia Levaya left for Poland after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, where she worked as a 2D illustrator. And in the winter of 2023, she decided to return to her homeland, where she was detained.
According to the prosecution, Natallia Levaya allegedly transferred about 1,275 euros to "extremist groups," including Kalinoŭski Regiment.
In July 2024, Natallia was sentenced to six years in a general security penal colony in the Brest Regional Court on three criminal counts.
Aliaksandr Verasovich, a 57-year-old Maladziečna resident, was also convicted for donating to the Kalinoŭski Regiment and the BYSOL Solidarity Fund.
In Belarus, the son of a "Wagnerite" who is accused of collaborating with the Freedom of Russia Legion was detained by the FSB
- Evgeny Ubiraev
In Russia, 29-year-old Evgeny Ubiraev is accused of collaborating with the Freedom of Russia Legion, which is fighting against the Russian army in Ukraine, SOTAvision reported on February 17, 2025.
On the way from Belarus to Armenia, Ubiraev was detained at the Minsk airport by FSB officers. He is currently in pre-trial detention center-1 in Yekaterinburg.
Belarusians and Ukrainians detained in the case of "preparation of terrorist acts" were convicted
- Ivan Barodzich, Barys Puhalski, Ivan Likhalat
At the end of December 2024, details of the case were revealed, during which three political prisoners were tried: Belarusians Ivan Barodzich and Barys Puhalsky, as well as Ukrainian Ivan Likhalat. Pro-government sources reported that they were sentenced to terms ranging from 11 to 25 years of imprisonment.
Their detention became known on September 11 from a video that was shown on all state channels at the same time. In the video, some of them look beaten and some are being led on chains during investigative actions. One of the detainees was filmed in the KGB pre-trial detention center.
The propagandists claim that initially three of them were tasked with gathering information.
The Mačuliščy airfield attack case: up to 25 years in a penal colony
In February 2023, explosions occurred at the military airfield in Mačuliščy, as a result of which a valuable long-range radar detection aircraft A-50, which was used to aim Russian missiles at targets in Ukraine, was damaged.
According to official authorities and propagandists, the perpetrator of the sabotage Mikalai Shvets was released on exchange with Ukraine in June 2024. Besides Mikalai, Maksim Lapatsin, Andrei Stsiapurka, Aleh Sychou and his wife Anastasiya Pilko, Dzianis Sakalou are involved in the case.
Most of them were tried in absentia: Mikalai Shvets, Aliaksandr Azarau, Ala Yatsuta, Vital Yakutsik, Yauheniya Tachytskaya, Mikhail Dziomin, and Siarhei Loparau.
in August 2024, in the Minsk City Court, all the accused were convicted under 11 articles of the Criminal Code, including "act of terrorism" (Part 3 of Article 289 of the Criminal Code) and "treason to the state" (Part 1 of Article 356 of the Criminal Code). Human rights activists are not aware of all the verdicts in this case. Mikalai Shvets, Aliaksandr Azarau, and Vital Yakutsik received the longest sentences in absentia (25 years each).
A father and son from Ukraine were sentenced to 20 years in a penal colony as "the saboteurs of the Security Service of Ukraine"
- Siarhei and Pavel Kabarchuk
In February 2024, a "counter-terrorism operation” regime was declared in the Lieĺčycy district, after which the KGB announced the detention of "terrorists" allegedly sent by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) to commit sabotage in Belarus and the Russian Federation. According to the propagandists, citizens of Ukraine Siarhei and Pavel Kabarchuk, and also a resident of Brest Vital Vlasiuk were detained. Explosive devices were allegedly found with them, intended to be used to commit terrorist attacks in Russia and Belarus.
Judge Yauhen Sharshniou sentenced Siarhei and Pavel to 20 years in a penal colony each.
Viachaslau Barodziy and Mikalai Lasouski, Ukrainians, were sentenced to 10 years in a penal colony, and Valiantsina Polaz was sentenced to 9 years in a penal colony
- Viachaslau Barodziy
On December 2, 2024, the Homieĺ Regional Court sentenced Viachaslau Barodziy, a citizen of Ukraine, as well as Belarusians Mikalai Lasouski and Valiantsina Polaz. Judge Yauhen Sharshniou found all the defendants in the case guilty and sentenced Barodziy and Lasouski to 10 years in a medium security penal colony, and Polaz to 9 years in a penal colony, BelTA reported.
In total, three people were charged under six articles of the Criminal Code, including "treason against the state” and "agent activity."
Famous martial arts coach was convicted of intending to fight for Ukraine
- Mikhail Halinski
Political prisoner Mikhail Halinski was detained in June 2024. Initially, he was convicted of "disobeying police officers" and later a criminal case was initiated under Part 1 of Article 361-3 of the Criminal Code (attempt to participate in a war). The result of the trial is unknown to human rights defenders.
Mikhail Halinski is one of the most famous Chinese martial arts coaches. Mikhail's students have won international wushu competitions.
A political prisoner is being tried, detained on suspicion of collaborating with the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
- Pavel Churkin during detention
Pavel Churkin, a resident of Mahilioŭ, was sentenced to one year in a penal colony in 2021 for "insulting Lukashenka" (Article 368 of the Criminal Code). Pavel served his sentence in full and was released on May 24, 2022.
In early April 2024, it became known that Pavel was detained on suspicion of collaborating with the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Pavel is now accused of "treason against the state" (Part 1 of Article 356 of the Criminal Code), as well as of "preparing to participate in an armed formation or armed conflict on the territory of a foreign state" (Part 1 of Article 361-3 of the Criminal Code). The result of the trial is unknown to human rights defenders.
A poker player was sentenced to 5 years in a penal colony for supporting Ukraine
- Mikhail Fando
Mikhail Fando, a political prisoner from Barysaŭ, studied at the Belarusian State University and lived in Minsk. Mikhail is a poker enthusiast who participated in many championships, including the Belarusian one.
In the autumn of 2024, Mikhail was sentenced to five years in a penal colony in the Minsk City Court under Part 2 of Article 361-3 of the Criminal Code (financing or other material support of the war).
55-year-old political prisoner Zhanna Dashkevich was convicted for supporting Ukraine
Zhanna Dashkevich
On September 9, Zhanna Dashkevich was convicted in the Minsk Regional Court under Part 3 of Article 361-1 (participation in an extremist formation) and Part 2 of Article 361-3 (financing participation in an armed formation or armed conflict on the territory of a foreign state) of the Criminal Code. The result of the trial is unknown to human rights defenders. She was probably convicted for supporting Ukraine.
Zhanna has two adult children — a daughter and a son — and at least three grandchildren. The woman was engaged in network marketing, advised on proper nutrition, and arranged psychological sessions.
A political prisoner from Minsk was convicted for donating money to help Ukraine
On July 30, the Minsk City Court convicted political prisoner Alina Khmialeuskaya under Part 2 of Article 361-3 (financing participation in military operations on the territory of a foreign state) and Article 361-2 (financing the activities of an extremist group [the article is no longer in effect — editor's note]). The essence of the charges is unknown to human rights defenders, but usually, the first article is used in Belarus to persecute for supporting Ukraine in the war. Judge Yauhen Khatkevich handled the case.
A political prisoner and IT specialist was convicted of "financing a war"
- Nadzeya Karankevich
Nadzeya Karankevich is 29 years old. In 2016, she graduated from Minsk State Linguistic University as a teacher of foreign languages. Nadzeya worked as a translator for over a year and then became a tester. The woman was detained in November 2023.
On August 2, Nadzeya was convicted in the Minsk City Court for "financing the activities of an extremist group" (Article 361-2 of the Criminal Code) and "financing a war" (Part 2 of Article 361-3). Judge Aliaksandr Rudenka handled the case.
The case of military doctor Rico Krieger
- Rico Krieger. Photo: sb.by
In July 2024, the media reported that on June 24, a Red Cross military doctor, a German citizen, appeared in the Minsk Regional Court. Rico Krieger was sentenced to death by firing squad. The German was convicted under six serious criminal articles, among which were "an act of terrorism" (Part 3 of Article 289 of the Criminal Code) and "agent activity" (Article 358-1 of the Criminal Code).
According to Viasna, Rico Krieger was found guilty of "arranging an explosion in order to influence decision-making by authorities, intimidate the population, destabilize public order (an act of terrorism) arranged by a person who had previously committed a crime under Part 4 of Article 295 of the Criminal Code, as an organized group, that is, committing a crime under Part 3 Article 289 of the Criminal Code". On the basis of this, Krieger was sentenced to the death penalty ( execution by firing squad).
Human rights activists also learned that the case of the German citizen concerns the Kalinoŭski Regiment, namely its structural unit: the foreign mechanized Western unit.
It is known that on July 30, Rico Krieger applied for pardon to Lukashenka. On August 1, he was released as part of a prisoner exchange between the United States, Russia, Germany, and Belarus.
A Ukrainian citizen was sentenced to six years in a penal colony in Brest for alleged "agent activity"
- Artsiom Makavei
On May 15, the Brest Regional Court heard a criminal case against Artsiom Makavei, a citizen of Ukraine. The 25-year-old DJ was accused of "agent activity" under Article 358-1 of the Criminal Code. The case was handled by Judge Mikalai Sianko. It is not known what the essence of the charges is, since the trial was held behind closed doors.
Most likely, Artsiom Makavei was detained on January 27, 2023, at his home in Kobryn.
Artsiom has Ukrainian citizenship, but he has lived in Belarus since 2009.
He was sentenced to 10 years in a penal colony for "cooperation with the Ukrainian special services."
- Daniil Herasim
On April 29, 2024, a propaganda film Children in the Crosshairs. Recruited by the Enemy was released on the state TV channel ONT. It showed the detention of seven teenagers for "cooperation with the Ukrainian special services". Some of them are accused of "terrorism" and "treason against the state"
The film said that six teenagers allegedly united in the Black Nightingales anarchist cell, which "under the leadership of the National Liberation Army of Ukraine" was created by a 16-year-old citizen of Ukraine Maryia Misiuk. Among those detained are college students in Baranavičy, Niasviž, Mir, Minsk, and Luninec.
On September 19, 2024, in the Mahilioŭ Regional Court, one of the young men, political prisoner Herasim Daniil, was sentenced to 10 years in a penal colony under three criminal articles, including "treason to the state" (Article 356 of the Criminal Code).
Political prisoner Halina Krasnianskaya was sentenced to 5 years in a penal colony for donating money to Ukraine
- Halina Krasnianskaya. A photo from social media
A 67-year-old woman was accused of making donations to Belarusian military units fighting on the side of Ukraine against Russian aggression (Part 2 of Article 361-3 of the Criminal Code).
Halina lived in Sweden for a long time. She was one of the founders of the official community of the Belarusian diaspora and actively participated in its life. At the same time, she returned to Belarus to her relatives every now and then. During one of these visits, probably in the spring of 2023, she was detained in Minsk.
In the winter of 2024, Minsk City Court sentenced Halina to 5 years of imprisonment under Part 2 of Article 361-3 of the Criminal Code.
- Darya Khmialnitskaya
A Belarusian-speaking teacher was also convicted of donating money to Ukraine. 23-year-old Darya Khmialnitskaya is from Minsk. After high school, she entered the Belarusian State University, majoring in Oriental philology, and studied Chinese.
In the Minsk City Court in April, Darya was sentenced to five and a half years in a penal colony under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code (active participation in actions grossly violating public order) and Part 2 of Article 361-3 (financing participation in military operations on the territory of a foreign state). Darya was released in the winter of 2024 on a pardon.
The KGB detained 12 people in the Drahičyn district for helping Ukraine.
- Screenshot from the video of a state TV channel
The detentions were reported in April 2024 on the state TV. It was alleged that residents of the Drahičyn district helped the SBU by taking explosives and making caches on the territory of Belarus. The propagandists mentioned the names of some of the detainees: Dzmitry Kapuza, Uladzimir Kapuza, Volha Kapuza, Aliaksandr Kapuza, Yauhen Hruk, Viktar Yaskich, Lidziya Hruk.
A case was initiated against the detainees under Article 289, Part 3 of the Criminal Code (act of terrorism as part of a group).
A Ukrainian citizen was accused of espionage and sentenced to 9 years in a penal colony
- Natallia Zakharanka. A photo from social media
Supposedly on March 5, the Homeĺ Regional Court sentenced citizen of Ukraine and political prisoner Natallia Zakharanka and her friend Larysa Krupa in a closed session. Zakharanka was accused of espionage for Ukraine under Article 358 of the Criminal Code, and her friend was accused of misprision (Part 2 of Article 406 of the Criminal Code). The case was handled by Judge Anatol Sotnikau.
This story was made public at the beginning of July 2023, when a resident of Chernihiv, Natallia Zakharanka, disappeared on her way to Mazyr, where her sister lives. Before the beginning of the Russian aggression, entrepreneur Natallia often traveled to Homieĺ to trade on a local market.
As reported by the Ukrainian media, Natallia was a volunteer: after the outbreak of the war, she transported Ukrainian refugees to the EU and Belarus and transferred documents and medicines.
A young cadet was sentenced to 15 years in a penal colony for intending to fight for Ukraine
- Illia Naryshkin
On August 14, 2024, in the Hrodna Regional Court, political prisoner Illia Naryshkin, a cadet of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, was sentenced to 15 years in a medium security penal colony.
He was found guilty under Part 1 of Article 361-3 (participation or training of a citizen of the Republic of Belarus in military operations on the territory of a foreign state without state authorization) and Part 2 of Article 356 (treason to the state) of the Criminal Code.
Political prisoner Aliaksandr Darahakupets was sentenced to 5.5 years in a penal colony for donations
- Aliaksandr Darahakupets
Aliaksandr, a systems engineer, was charged under five criminal articles with transferring funds to various "extremist groups," including the Kalinoŭski Regiment.
As a result, in January 2025, the Brest Regional Court sentenced Aliaksandr, a 44-year-old resident of Ivanava, to five years and six months of imprisonment.
Case of "preparation of a terrorist attack on Victory Day": 5 convicts
- Valer Vodzin
In August 2024, five people were convicted in a high-profile case for "preparing a terrorist attack on Victory Day under the supervision of Kyiv": 25-year-old Valer Vodzin (in absentia), Andrei Hryhoryeu, 30-year-old Viktoryia Volchak, 25-year-old Hanna Savachkina, and her mother Tatsiana Rusak. All were accused, among other things, of "treason to the state" (Part 1 of Article 356 of the Criminal Code) and "act of terrorism" (Part 2 of Article 289 of the Criminal Code). Valer Vodzin was sentenced to 20 years in a penal colony in absentia on five criminal counts.
