'Putin Supporter' Belarus President Health Rumors

No Public Appearance After Russia Victory Day Event

There are rumors about the health issues of Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, one of Russia's traditional allies. He left early during the Victory Day commemorative event held in Moscow, Russia, on the 9th and has not appeared in any official public events since then.

The American news weekly Newsweek reported on the 13th (local time) that President Lukashenko has not disclosed his weekly schedule since visiting Moscow.

Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus
[Photo by Yonhap News]

President Lukashenko had a bandage wrapped around his right hand during the Victory Day event. While walking to the 'Tomb of the Unknown Soldier' with other national leaders in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, he used a separate means of transportation alone. He did not attend the subsequent banquet. It is known that he returned home early due to health reasons.

Since then, President Lukashenko has not appeared in any official public events. The Belarusian presidential office has not released his weekly schedule.

These unusual actions have sparked rumors of health problems. Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, tweeted on the same day, "Lukashenko's absence is the biggest concern of Belarusian unofficial media," adding, "Today, information emerged that Lukashenko and his close aides have contracted a kind of flu."

Belarusian opposition politician Pavel Latushka also raised questions on Twitter, saying, "Lukashenko has disappeared for four days. Is he sick, poisoned, or is it fake?"

President Lukashenko is one of President Putin's strongest supporters. Last year, he opened his country's borders to Russian troops invading Ukraine. He actively supported the invasion of Ukraine by providing military bases to Russia, making him a target of Western sanctions along with Russia.

Russia is also the largest patron of Belarus. Since the late 1990s, the two countries have pursued the creation of a union state, seeking a relationship beyond an alliance.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.