Belarus Confirms Russian Draft Evaders Barred From Leaving Via Its Border

Belorussian officials stressed that Belarus does not independently decide on restrictions but enforces data received from Russian authorities. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Russian Foreign Ministry building is seen behind a social advertisement billboard showing Z letters - a tactical insignia of Russian troops in Ukraine and reading "Victory is being Forged in Fire" in central Moscow on October 13, 2022. - Five Russians drafted to fight in Ukraine, as part of the "partial" mobilization ordered in September, died after joining the army, authorities said, as similar announcements have multiplied in recent days. (Photo by Alexander NEMENOV / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Russian citizens who receive military draft notices and are banned from leaving Russia will also be unable to exit the country through Belarus , Belarusian border authorities have confirmed on Wednesday. The State Border Committee told Belarusian outlet Belsat  that the two countries operate a shared Russia–Belarus database of individuals subject to travel restrictions and use a simplified, integrated border-control system. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “If there is no exit ban imposed by the Russian Federation and all documents are in order, they will be allowed to leave,” the committee said. “If the person is in the database, they will not be allowed to leave.” Officials stressed that Belarus does not independently decide on restrictions but enforces data received from Russian authorities. The confirmation comes after human rights group Movement of Conscientious Objectors reported the first known case of a Russian conscript being denied exit through Belarus after receiving a draft notice. The man, a resident of St. Petersburg, had been ordered to appear for a medical examination on April 29. Shortly after receiving the notice, an automatic travel ban appeared in Russia’s electronic conscription registry. Rights activists say the situation points to deeper integration of Russian and Belarusian border systems, including simplified data sharing that allows restrictions imposed in Russia to be automatically reflected at Belarusian checkpoints. Other Topics of Interest Russia Launches 170+ Drones, Hits Odesa Region, Multiple Cities Russia launched over 170 drones overnight, striking the Odesa region and other areas. One person was killed, infrastructure damaged, and dozen evacuated. Russia and Belarus have in recent years steadily aligned their border and migration control systems as part of their so-called Union State framework. Citizens of both countries can cross the shared border without formal passport control, but authorities maintain coordinated digital databases for individuals flagged for military, security, or legal restrictions. Previously, this system allowed some Russian conscripts to leave Russia via Belarus and then fly to third countries from Belarusian airports, effectively bypassing Russian exit controls. That option now appears to be closing, as Belarusian border services automatically enforce Russian-issued travel bans. The change is seen by rights groups as shutting down one of the last remaining escape routes for draft-age Russians seeking to avoid conscription . Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia is planning to expand its mobilization efforts as it attempts to replenish manpower losses in the war against Ukraine. He said Ukrainian   intelligence has obtained internal Russian military documents showing that Russia’s General Staff acknowledges it is failing to meet Kremlin-set objectives, as Ukraine continues to weaken Russia’s offensive capacity. In a statement on Tuesday following a briefing by Defense Intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko, Zelensky said Ukrainian forces are inflicting “irrecoverable losses” approaching 60% of total Russian casualties, significantly undermining Moscow’s ability to sustain operations. “Accordingly, Ukraine’s task is to further increase the share of irrecoverable losses inflicted on the occupier,” he said, adding that Kyiv will expand drone operations along the front line and intensify long-range strikes against Russia’s weapons production and energy infrastructure. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.