What’s wrong with Belarus? Interview with The Kyiv Independent’s Belarus correspondent. (Patreon)

Two years passed since the sham presidential elections triggered the largest anti-government protests in Belarus’ history. The protests were crushed, while prominent activists and journalists were either kicked out of the country or imprisoned. Since then, Belarus backed the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine and allowed Russian troops to launch the country as a launchpad for Kremlin’s missiles.

On Thursday, we’ll talk with Maria Yeryoma, The Kyiv Independent’s Belarus correspondent, about Belarus’ role in Russia’s war, the prosecution of the country’s opposition, and why Lukashenko is able to hold on to power despite the lack of popular support.

Maria recently worked at TUT.BY — the biggest independent online media in Belarus. In May 2021, TUT.BY was raided by Belarus authorities leaving 15 employees in custody and forcing the team to flee the country to continue their work. Maria soon moved to Kyiv and helped establish a new media outlet — Zerkalo. She’s currently based in Lithuania.

The event is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 11, at 8 p.m. Kyiv time (1 p.m. EDT).

This event is exclusive to our Patreon community members. You can register here: https://forms.gle/UL6gJav6sWFKVvg87 

Hope to see you there!