The Latest Breaking News from Aliaksandr Lukashenka

Poland installed the first cluster of anti-drone defence systems on a new observation tower near the Belarus border as the government strengthens security. Over 6,000 personnel to spend Christmas on border duty.

Tuesday's operation involved more than 140 officers from the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau, Vilnius police and special anti-terrorism units.

Officers of the Podlaskie Border Guard discovered a tunnel under the Polish-Belarusian border on Friday. Similar tunnels have been found in Hungary.

Belarus opened its first nuclear power plant in Astravets in 2020 amid protests and concern in neighbouring Lithuania, where there was opposition to the plant's location.

The expulsion comes after Czech and Polish authorities expelled Belarusian diplomats earlier this month, as part of a wider crackdown on a European spy ring made up of agents from Belarus' KGB state security agency.

The 52 prisoners freed last Thursday in a US-brokered deal with Belarus were sent to Vilnius, Lithuania. Among those freed was Mikalai Statkevich, a prominent opposition leader who refused to leave Belarus and is now missing.

Poland closed all border crossings with Belarus as the joint Russia-Belarus military exercises Zapad-2025 begin at NATO’s doorstep. Moscow and Minks claim the drills simulate repelling an attack against Russia and Belarus. But Zapad-2021 masked Russia’s preparations for its invasion of Ukraine.

Belarus released 52 prisoners, including 14 foreigners, who crossed into Lithuania. Lithuanian President Nausėda thanked Trump for his support.

The Czech intelligence agency said Belarus managed to create the network because its diplomats are able to freely travel across European countries.