Part 8/13:
The prisoner release includes journalists, bloggers, union leaders, and foreign nationals, illustrating Belarus's ongoing internal political struggles. Among those freed is Mikolai Stokovich, a veteran dissident who refused to be exiled, standing in no man's land at the border to cross back into Belarus rather than accept exile—a symbolic act of defiance.
Lukashenko’s motivations may include pragmatism—seeking relief from sanctions and improved international legitimacy—though critics warn that such concessions risk empowering Moscow and perpetuating authoritarian control. The timing coincides with increased tensions, as recent reports indicate Russian drones violated Polish airspace, prompting NATO to scramble jets and heighten alert levels.