The Belarusian ruler has not appeared in public for days – and thus caused speculation. Lukashenko’s press service has now published a photo.
Rumors about Alexander Lukashenko’s health have been circulating for days: the Belarusian ruler has now appeared on state television after a break of days. The pictures show the uniformed Lukashenko during a visit to the central command staff of the Air Force this Monday.
There had previously been reports that Lukashenko was taken to a hospital on Saturday. In the photo that is supposed to show him, he wears a bandage on one hand. One of his hands was bandaged in earlier photos. Here you can read more about it. It is currently unclear whether Lukashenko is seriously ill, there is no official information.
Duma deputy speaks
A member of the Russian Duma said on Sunday about Lukashenko’s health: “It’s nothing extraordinary, no Covid. The person is simply ill”. Konstantin Satulin did not want to reveal what the 68-year-old was ill with. “He probably needs a bit of rest, that’s all,” Zatulin told Podjom.
Actors in the Belarusian opposition, on the other hand, are convinced that there is more to it than that. The former culture minister of Belarus, Pavel Latuschko, who fled into exile, said on Friday that Lukashenko “is obviously very seriously ill.”
Lukashenko talks about possible helicopter downings
Lukashenko did not address the rumors during his TV appearance, but did address helicopters and planes that may have been shot down in the Bryansk region of Russia, near the borders with Ukraine and Belarus. Russia has not yet confirmed these kills. “Let’s look at what is happening around our country, especially in the air,” Lukashenko said. The events on Saturday put Belarus on heightened alert.
“Four planes were shot down. We had to react to that. Since then we have been on increased preparedness,” he said. So far, the Russian authorities had only confirmed the “crash” of a helicopter, but did not give any details. On the other hand, Russian media reported that two Su-34 and Su-35 Sukhoi fighter jets and two Mi-8 helicopters had been shot down with rockets.
Lukashenko, who supports Russia in the war against Ukraine, said the jets and helicopters were shot down. On the other hand, the Ukrainian air force denied responsibility on Sunday, claiming that the Russian anti-aircraft defense system shot down its technology.
Lukashenko did not give a speech for the first time in 29 years
As early as May 9, rumors about the allegedly ailing health of the Belarusian autocrat had increased. Lukashenko had traveled to the Russian capital Moscow for the parade marking the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. The Reuters news agency then reported, citing observers, that Lukashenko seemed “tired and a little unsteady on his feet”. In addition, he left early.
Since then he had not appeared in Belarusian state media. He also did not give his traditional speech in Minsk on “State Flag Day” last Sunday – for the first time in 29 years. He was represented by Prime Minister Roman Golovtschenko.
