Belarus

Belarus is not itself at war, but it acted as a co-aggressor in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, its territory has been used to support the war, and it sits adjacent to the conflict, creating a latent risk.

There is no significant terrorism threat in Belarus, though the state applies terrorism and extremism labels broadly to political opponents. The practical risk to travellers is prosecution, not attack.

Arbitrary and politically motivated detention is the defining risk, with over a thousand political prisoners and sweeping extremism and foreign-agent laws. Journalists, activists and anyone with material critical of the government or supportive of Ukraine are at particular risk.

Street crime is low by regional standards, with petty theft and occasional scams the main ordinary risks. The overriding threat comes from the state rather than criminals.

Movement is monitored, and the Ukraine-adjacent south and the EU and Russian borders are sensitive. Air links are constrained by sanctions and airspace closures.

Basic healthcare is available in cities, but standards vary and serious cases require evacuation, which is complicated by sanctions and limited flight options.

Belarus is culturally Slavic and largely Orthodox Christian. Any expression on politics, the war or national identity can be dangerous.

There are no legal protections and strong state-backed and social hostility toward LGBT people. LGBT travellers should exercise absolute discretion, including over digital content.

Belarus is an authoritarian state under Lukashenko, isolated from the West, heavily sanctioned, and closely aligned with Russia as a co-aggressor in the Ukraine war. Western consular support is severely limited.

Surveillance is pervasive, devices may be searched at the border and internally, and the state maintains extensive extremism lists that criminalise ordinary content.