Belarus | Business Upturn

A multifaceted cyber threat landscape: Report reveals widespread targeting of Russia and former Soviet states

Eesha Chakraborty — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:49:32 +0000

A recent report by the Russian company, F.A.C.C.T., sheds light on the multifaceted nature of cyber threats targeting Russia and several former Soviet Union members, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. The report, titled “The Most Comprehensive Source of Strategic and Tactical Data on CyberSquaresThreats in Russia and the EAEU,” details a significant rise in cyber campaigns over the past year, with at least 14 state-sponsored hacker groups engaging in either destructive or espionage activities.

These attacks, the report suggests, stem from a confluence of geopolitical tensions and national interests. While some groups, like the IT Army of Ukraine, are demonstrably linked to the ongoing conflict between the two countries, others, such as the China-linked SugarGh0st Team, operate with the backing of their respective governments for reasons extending beyond the immediate regional conflict. This diversity of motivations is further reflected in the variety of targets, which range from government and military institutions to critical infrastructure and commercial enterprises.

The report also highlights the growing influence of hacktivist groups in the region. The IT Army of Ukraine, for instance, has emerged as a prominent force, employing distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and collaborating with other local groups to amplify their impact. Another group, the Belarusian Cyber Partisans, has launched targeted attacks against both Belarus and Russia, utilizing tactics such as website defacement and data breaches.

Interestingly, the report identifies a group known as “Comet Twelve” that appears to operate with a dual agenda, combining financial gain through ransom demands with disruptive tactics that aim to cripple victim networks. This group, along with others like “Muppets” and “BlackJack,” demonstrates the increasingly blurred lines between financially motivated cybercrime and politically motivated attacks.

Looking ahead, the report predicts that the current geopolitical climate will continue to fuel cyber activity in the region. Nation-states, both hostile and neutral, are likely to maintain their campaigns, while disgruntled former employees may also pose a threat. The report underscores the need for heightened vigilance and collaborative efforts to counter this evolving threat landscape.

Election in Belarus strengthens authoritarian rule despite opposition boycott

Jennifer Philip — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 12:44:41 +0000

Belarusian authorities released initial results from parliamentary and local elections on Monday, where only candidates loyal to President Alexander Lukashenko were permitted to run, prompting opposition calls for a boycott. The elections solidified Lukashenko’s three-decade grip on power, as he aims to extend his rule with another five-year term in the upcoming presidential election. The majority of candidates represented the four officially recognised parties: Belaya Rus, the Communist Party, the Liberal Democratic Party, and the Party of Labour and Justice. The Central Election Commission reported a voter turnout of 73%, with all 110 seats in the national parliament and 12,514 seats in local councils filled.

The recent elections in Belarus marked the first since the controversial 2020 vote, which saw Lukashenko secure his sixth term and sparked widespread protests. These demonstrations, drawing hundreds of thousands, resulted in over 35,000 arrests, with many subjected to police brutality, and led to the closure and banning of numerous independent media outlets and NGOs. Lukashenko has leaned on Russia for financial aid and political backing to quell the unrest, even permitting Russian troops to pass through Belarusian territory into Ukraine in February 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin extended congratulations to Lukashenko on what he described as “the confident victory of patriotic forces of Belarus” praising it for ensuring internal political stability. Meanwhile, Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, currently in exile in Lithuania following her challenge to Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential election, called for a boycott of the elections, dismissing them as a meaningless spectacle.

Despite Belarus’s strict controls, Tsikhanouskaya’s video address was unexpectedly broadcast across the country after opposition activists gained access to approximately 2,000 street advertising screens. Following this, the Viasna Human Rights Centre reported that several employees of the company owning these screens were swiftly detained.

Amid a widespread crackdown on dissent, the election unfolded with more than 1,400 political prisoners, including opposition figures and human rights advocate Ales Bialiatski, remaining detained. Ahead of the vote, Lukashenko made unsubstantiated claims of Western nations plotting a coup or attempting to seize power by force, leading to increased armed patrols by police. The opposition argued that the early voting period, which began on Tuesday, provided ample opportunity for manipulation, citing unprotected ballot boxes left unattended for five days. Election officials reported that over 40% of voters participated in early voting.

Following the election, Belarus intends to establish a new governmental body, the 1,200-seat All-Belarus Popular Assembly, composed of high-ranking officials, local lawmakers, union members, pro-government activists, and others. This entity will possess significant authority, including the ability to discuss constitutional amendments and appoint election officials and judges.

Once speculated to potentially lead the new body upon stepping down, Lukashenko reversed his stance and declared his intention to run in next year’s presidential election during Sunday’s announcement.

Belarus, for the inaugural occasion, opted not to invite observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to oversee the election. Belarus, being a member of the OSCE, a prominent trans-Atlantic security and rights organisation, has historically relied on OSCE monitors as the sole international observers for its elections over many years.

Belarusian activist dies in prison: political fears rise

Jennifer Philip — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 15:43:41 +0000

A Belarusian political activist, previously jailed for “defamation” against President Alexander Lukashenko, has passed away in prison, as reported by his political party and confirmed by human rights NGO Viasna. Igor Lednik, aged 64, was a former member of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party, activist, and journalist.

He was imprisoned in 2022 and received a three-year sentence for “defamation” of the Belarusian president in an article published in the Social Democrats’ newspaper. While in prison, his health significantly deteriorated, with the party noting his existing heart condition and prior gastrointestinal surgery. However, the exact cause and date of death were not specified.

Svetlana Tikhanoskaya, an opposition leader in exile, attributed Lednik’s death to the authorities, labelling it as “an injustice and an incredible tragedy.” Last month, another opposition figure, Vadzim Khrasko, passed away from pneumonia in a penal colony, with human rights organizations stating that he had not received necessary medical attention while in jail.

The Belarusian government, under President Lukashenko’s longstanding rule since 1994, has intensified its crackdown on dissenters following widespread protests following the disputed 2020 presidential election, which the West alleges was fraudulent. According to Viasna, there are presently over 1,400 political detainees in Belarus. In January, the West condemned Belarus for a series of raids during which more than 150 individuals were reportedly detained or questioned by the security service, as per rights groups’ claims.

Due to the crackdown, there will be no significant opposition presence in the legislative elections scheduled for February 25. Tikhanovskaya mentioned that an additional 10 political detainees were experiencing health issues while enduring harsh conditions in prison.

Vladimir Putin wanted to ‘wipe out’ Wagner chief during mutiny attempt in Russia: Belarus Prez

Dixita Hazarika — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 16:28:50 +0000

On Wednesday, Belarusian President made a statement saying Vladimir Putin wanted to wipe out Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in response to his mutiny against the Russian military establishments which, as the Kremlin said, pushed Russia towards a civil war.

Alexander Lukashenko said that he persuaded Vladimir Putin not to “wipe out” mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin. Terming the rebellion as a “stab in the back”, Vladimir Putin had initially vowed to crush the mutiny but later softened towards the Wagner chief, allowing him to exile in Belarus. On Tuesday, Yevgeny Prigozhin flew to Belarus from Russia.

According to the Belarusian President, in his conversation with Vladimir Putin, he said “I also understood: a brutal decision had been made [and it was the undertone of Putin’s address] to wipe out” the mutineers.” He further added, “I suggested to Putin not to rush. ‘Come on,’ I said, ‘Let’s talk with Prigozhin, with his commanders.’ To which he told me: ‘Listen, Sasha, it’s useless. He doesn’t even pick up the phone, he doesn’t want to talk to anyone’.”

There was no immediate comment from the Kremlin on Lukashenko’s remarks.

The Belarusian president also said that he advised Vladimir Putin to think “beyond our own noses”. He also told him that “wiping out” Yevgeny Prigozhin could result in revolt from his supporters. The leader then added that his own army could benefit from the experience of Wagner troops who, according to a deal struck with the Kremlin, are now free to move to Belarus.

BelTA state agency quoted Lukashenko as saying, “This is the most trained unit in the army. Who will argue with this? My military also understands this, and we don’t have such people in Belarus.”

According to inputs, Lukashenko later told his military that people fail to understand that they are approaching it in a pragmatic way. Wagner has been through it, they’ll tell them about the weaponry – what worked well and what worked badly.

Iran & Belarus ink deals to boost comprehensive cooperation

United News of India (UNI) — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 18:54:13 +0000

Tehran, Mar 13 (UNI): Iran and Belarus on Monday set a roadmap for expanding their comprehensive cooperation and signed seven cooperation agreements in the fields of trade, transportation, agriculture and culture.

The roadmap was signed by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his visiting Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko in a ceremony held in Tehran, according to the website of the president’s office.

The other documents, including one on the transfer of convicts, were signed by senior Iranian and Belarusian officials in the presence of the two presidents.

At a joint press conference with his Belarusian counterpart following the signing ceremony, Raisi said Lukashenko’s visit marks a turning point in the expansion of relations between the two countries.

He added despite all the sanctions and threats, Iran has managed to take huge steps toward progress, having turned the sanctions and embargoes into opportunities.

Raisi also voiced Iran’s readiness to share its experiences with Belarus.

He stressed that both Iran and Belarus are against unilateralism and maintain that improving “effective and constructive” relations among independent states are among the ways to “neutralize” the sanctions.

Lukashenko, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived in Tehran on Sunday.

Russia & Belarus citizens detained in Poland

United News of India (UNI) — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 07:23:07 +0000

Warsaw, April 27: Citizens of Russia and Belarus have been detained in Poland on suspicion of espionage, Polish media reported on Wednesday. A Russian and a Belarusian were detained in the city of Bialystok in northeastern Poland for allegedly spying for Russia’s intelligence service, Polish TV channel Telewizja Polska said, citing prosecutors. According to the military counterintelligence service. The two collected information about military units, personnel status. As well as about units of the allied forces. Both of them have lived in Poland for many years. Both were charged with espionage and are arrested by the court for three months. They face up to 10 years in prison.

European Union claims to freeze €30 billion of Russian & Belarusian assets

Aryan Jakhar — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 13:15:04 +0000

According to the European Union, sanctions imposed for Moscow’s war in Ukraine have frozen roughly 30 billion euros in assets from blacklisted Russian and Belarusian individuals and organisations.

The European Commission said in a statement that a total of 29.5 billion euros ($32 billion) had been confiscated, “including assets like as boats, helicopters, real estate, and artwork,” and that another 196 billion euros in transactions had been stopped.

The EU’s numbers were based on information provided by roughly half of the EU’s 27 member states to the bloc’s “Freeze and Seize” task force, which worked in collaboration with G7 allies, including the United States. Individual and company blacklists are part of a wave of sweeping sanctions implemented by the EU, US, and G7 countries in the aftermath of Russia’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine, which was carried out in part from Belarusian territory.

They’ve been expanded several times, most recently in the EU’s agreed 5th package of measures, which includes a ban on Russian coal imports as well as additional financial and trade sanctions.

The EU and the US have stated that those on their blacklists who are believed to gain from the Kremlin and help to its war effort would be forcefully pursued and their assets seized.

On them are Russian President Vladimir Putin and his two adult daughters, as well as oligarchs, powerful businesses, politicians, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and their relatives, as of this week. Superyachts owned by oligarchs have been targeted, with several being seized in the EU and others being sailed out of the jurisdiction of the G7 sanctions.

Australia ramps up sanctions on Russia, Belarus

United News of India (UNI) — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 08:13:59 +0000

Canberra, March 31: Australia will introduce additional tariff of 35 per cent to all imports from Russia and Belarus starting April 25, the Australian government said in a statement on Thursday. “On 1 April 2022, Australia will issue a formal notification withdrawing entitlement to the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) tariff treatment and applying an additional tariff of 35 per cent to all imports from Russia and Belarus. This will take effect from 25 April 2022. And will be in addition to general duty rates that currently apply,” the statement read. On March 20, the Australian government said that it would allocate additional 30 million Australian dollars ($22.4 million) in emergency humanitarian assistance to the civilian population of Ukraine.

This brings Australian government total commitment to Ukraine to 65 million Australian dollars. On February 24, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine. Australia imposed targeted sanctions and travel bans on Russian individuals, organizations, banks and entities that support the Russian military. Additionally, sanctions were imposed against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. And members of his family, as well as other key Belarusian individuals. And entities who have provided support to Russia.

Ukraine will not surrender; Putin signals his troops to be nuclear ready from Belarus

Mymun Malik — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 08:33:50 +0000

The war between Russia and Ukraine has claimed several lives including women and children. It has displaced several Ukrainians to flee to the west adding the number of displaced families to over 7 million.

Russia has been given the official tag of an international outcast as its troops barge into the streets of Ukraine. Severe and unimaginable sanctions have been levied on Moscow and furthermore are being discussed at the urgent General Assembly of the UN Security Council in New York today.

Russian airplanes have been banned, its bonds and securities cant be sold or bought in the financial markets globally.

Ukraine agreed to confront the Russian delegation yesterday only on the pretext of no pre-conditions laid by Russia. However, Ukraine refused to surrender as the Russian troops take the position from Belarus for a nuclear offensive.

Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Minister of Ukraine stated that Ukraine will not surrender to Russia and will not give an inch of their territory. This statement comes ahead of the official public meet-up between the 2 countries.

Zelenskyy is still clueless about how the meet-up will move ahead, he believes this meet-up might not have any fruitful outcome. Yet hopes for some positive direction.

Russia ready to send delegation to Minsk for talk with Ukraine: Russian Embassy in India

Himanshu Mishra — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 14:32:20 +0000

Kremlin is ready to take a delegation to the Belarusian capital Minsk for talks with Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced on Friday, a day after Moscow launched a huge attack of its southern neighbour.

Peskov announced to Russian news agencies, Russia was ready to send a delegation comprising of a foreign and defence ministry officials. Ukraine has said it is willing to discuss announcing itself a neutral county. Peskov announced demilitarisation would have to to be a necessary part of that.

However, the step came after Russian president Vladimir Putin said his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in a phone conversation on Friday that Russia is ready to hold high-level discussions with Ukraine, Chinese state television CCTV reported.

“The United States and Nato have long rejected Russia’s reasonable security concerns, repeatedly left their commitments, and proceeded to advance military deployment eastward, questioning Russia’s strategic bottom line,” Mr Putin said Mr Xi.

“Russia is willing to conduct high-level negotiations with Ukraine,”Putin said in his statement as Russia’s incursion of Ukraine continued at breakneck speed with Kremlin’s troops attacking on Kyiv on Friday

Belarusian soldiers join Russia’s march towards Ukraine: Report

Himanshu Mishra — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 12:02:35 +0000

CNN on Thursday reported that tanks and other armoured vehicles joined Ukraine through a border crossing with Belarus. The clip was taken at the Senkivka, Ukraine crossing with Veselovka, Belarus, shot around 6:48 a.m. local time.

The US Department of Defense is trailing the noted incursion of troops from Belarus in Ukraine, a US defence official announced Thursday.

It was not evident if the troops were only Russian or also Belarusian, the source announced. Ukraine was attacked through multiple borders, the Ukrainian state border service announced early Thursday.

“At about 5:00 a.m., the state border of Ukraine in the area with the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus was ambushed by Russian troops assisted by Belarus,” the service said.

It added that attacks are being accomplished in Luhansk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Zhytomyr regions – regions on the eastern and northern borders of Ukraine. The attacks are targeting border units, border patrols and checkpoints using artillery, huge equipment and small arms, the border service let out.

US Air Force conducting electronic reconnaissance over whole of Belarus

United News of India (UNI) — Sat, 18 Dec 2021 04:39:15 +0000

Minsk, Dec 18 (UNI/Sputnik) The US Air Force is conducting optoelectronic reconnaissance over the western territories of Belarus and electronic reconnaissance over the whole territory of the country, Deputy head of the Belarusian Security Council Vladimir Archakov said.

“The US reconnaissance and strategic aviation are increasing the number of flights in the Polish airspace near the Belarusian border, which allow conducting optoelectronic reconnaissance over our western regions and electronic reconnaissance over the whole territory of the country,” Archakov told the Natsionalnaya Oborona magazine.

UNI/SPUTNIK ACL0654

Tens of thousands of protesters gather in Belarus capital, 250 detained by police

Nivedya P T — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 13:24:54 +0000

As protests erupted in Belarus, with tens of thousands of people gathering for a demonstration in the national capital Minsk ahead of talks between strongman Alexander Lukashenko and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Belarus police detained at least 250 protesters.

“Some 250 people were detained in various districts of the capital,” the interior ministry said in a statement, adding those arrested were carrying flags and “offensive” placards, according to sources.

#BREAKING At least 100,000 protesters gather in #Belarus capital, police detain 250 people pic.twitter.com/QYv5bwCIiw

— Guy Elster גיא אלסטר (@guyelster) September 13, 2020

“Soldiers rounded us up in several circles, people were selectively pulled out of the crowd and beaten,” one unidentified demonstrator told Reuters news agency, according to Al Jazeera.

It was also reported that Security forces dressed in riot gear used barbed wire to seal off the central square in the capital and the Independence square.

Missing leader of the opposition in Belarus detained at Ukraine by Border Forces

Pravin Suryawanshi — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 07:01:46 +0000

Minsk, Belarus: One of Belarus’s leading opposition figures Maria Kolesnikova has been detained while trying to cross into Ukraine, border officials said Tuesday.

Belarus said Maria Kalesnikava, one of the opposition’s top organizers, was detained at the border with Ukraine after being reported missing on Monday as President Alexander Lukashenko’s regime cracked down on month-long protests.

Kolesnikova was detained while trying to cross overnight with two other members of the opposition’s Coordination Council who were able to pass through to Ukraine, Anton Bychkovsky, a spokesman of the State Border Committee, told AFP.

Rallies in the country’s capital swelled to about 100,0000 people on Sunday, a month after Lukashenko claimed a landslide victory to extend his 26-year rule for a sixth term.

Several key figures of the opposition were jailed before the election, including ex-banker Viktor Babariko and political blogger Siarhei Tsikhanouski, whose wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya became the leading challenger to Lukashenko and the face of the protests. She is now in exile in Lithuania.

Belarus revokes accreditations of journalists working for foreign media

Nivedya P T — Sun, 30 Aug 2020 06:11:48 +0000

Belarusian authorities have removed the accreditation of some journalists who work for BBC and other foreign media outlets in the wake of covering anti-government protests Alexander Lukashenko was re-elected in a controversial presidential election, as per to reports.
According to the CNN, two journalists working for its Russian service in Minsk had had their press accreditation revoked “with immediate effect”.
A Reuters spokesperson said in a statement, “We are not aware of any acts by our Belarus journalists that might warrant loss of accreditation.We hope the authorities will reinstate their credentials to ensure our journalists can continue to deliver independent, unbiased news in the public interest.”

Dominic Raab, British Secretary of State for foreign Affairs tweeted, condemning the decision which would hinder objective coverage of events in Belarus.

The Belarusian authorities are continuing to target @BBCNews, local and international media by cancelling their accreditation to report in Belarus. This has been raised with the Belarusian Foreign Ministry. I condemn these clear attacks on media freedom #defendmediafreedom

— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) August 29, 2020

The Belarusian Association of Journalists has said that it has revoked the accreditations of 17 journalists, including a video journalist and photographer from Reuters, two from the BBC and four from the Radio Liberty.