Belarus14 Dec 2025'Never give up': Belarusian prisoners celebrate release after US lifts sanctions"It's a feeling of incredible happiness," says political prisoner Maria Kolesnikova, freed after more than five years.14 Dec 202513 Dec 2025Belarus frees 123 prisoners as US lifts sanctionsOpposition activist Maria Kolesnikova is among those released in exchange for a deal with the US.13 Dec 202513 Dec 2025BBC captures celebrations as Belarus frees political prisonersSouthern & Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford reports from Lithuania, where some of the released prisoners were taken.13 Dec 20259 Dec 2025Lithuania declares emergency situation over Belarus balloonsPrime Minister Inga Ruginiene says the "hybrid attack" poses a real risk to national security and civil aviation.9 Dec 20255 Nov 2025Freed in Trump deal: Prisoners in exile tell of brutality behind bars in BelarusThey were freed in September under a deal between Belarus's authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko and US President Donald Trump.5 Nov 202527 Oct 2025Lithuania to shoot down smuggling balloons, PM warnsInga Ruginiene says she is taking the "strictest measures" over the balloons, used to transport cigarettes from Belarus.27 Oct 20256 Oct 2025Balloons used to smuggle cigarettes shut Lithuanian airportOfficials say 25 weather balloons carrying thousands of illicit cigarettes from Belarus were detected.6 Oct 202515 Sep 2025Why are Belarus and Russia staging joint military drills?The BBC's Russia editor, Steve Rosenberg, reports from joint manoeuvres by Russia and Belarus.15 Sep 202515 Sep 2025Belarus and Russia stage joint military drillsThe BBC's Russia editor, Steve Rosenberg, reports from joint manoeuvres by Russia and Belarus, as part of the Zapad 2025 (West 2025) military drills.15 Sep 2025...
