Belarus Tightens Internet Controls in Move Mirroring Russia, Ukraine Says

Belarusian authorities are limiting mobile data and degrading connection quality as part of broader digital restrictions, Kyiv’s disinformation watchdog said. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied An advertising screen displays a Belarusian national flag in the capital Minsk on January 25, 2025, ahead of Belarus' presidential election. (Photo by Natalia KOLESNIKOVA / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Belarus has begun tightening control over internet access, introducing restrictions on mobile data and reducing connection quality, Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation said on Wednesday, April 22. According to the center , users in Belarus have reported limits on mobile internet usage – capped at around 30 GB per month – alongside slower data speeds and unstable connectivity. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The agency said the measures are part of a broader effort by Belarusian authorities to increase control over the digital space, mirroring policies previously introduced in Russia, where a blanket ban on the Telegram social media platform has been imposed in a months-long campaign to push locals towards the state-sanctioned “Max” platform . Belarusian users have also reported disruptions to online services and inconsistent network access, affecting both businesses and everyday communication. The center noted that internet restrictions in Belarus are not new, pointing to previous targeted shutdowns during protests and ongoing monitoring of online activity. “These steps are a continuation of the country’s policy of tightening digital control,” the agency said, warning that such measures could pave the way for a system similar to Russia’s so-called “sovereign internet.” The report follows recent escalations in Minsk’s rhetoric, in which Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko threatened to retaliate against Europe’s hypothetical invasion with Moscow’s backing. Other Topics of Interest EXCLUSIVE: Are Robots Replacing Soldiers in Ukraine War? What’s Really Happening on the Front Line Ukrainian troops say ground robots are rapidly expanding on the front line to deliver supplies and evacuate wounded, reducing risks for soldiers but not replacing them. A few days prior, President Volodymyr Zelensky also warned of Russian efforts to pull Belarus into the war in Ukraine, citing military activity near the Ukrainian border amid new conscription measures in Minsk. On Tuesday, former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba warned that recent developments in Belarus may signal preparations for a dangerous new escalation in Russia’s war against Ukraine. In a 13-minute video, Kuleba said the issue had “once again exploded” into the information space, but argued that the developments were not sudden. He said they were the result of a steady process that began in February 2022, when Belarus allowed Russia to use its territory to launch the full-scale invasion of Ukraine from the north. That route – through Belarus, Chornobyl, and toward the outskirts of Kyiv – brought Russian forces to the gates of the capital in the first days of the war. Although Belarusian troops did not directly enter combat, Kuleba said Minsk had already fulfilled the role of Russia’s accomplice once before. He also said China could play a restraining role, as Beijing would have little interest in wider instability. Amid the developments, Lukashenko is also expected to visit the US as relations thaw following Minsk’s release of political prisoners. The Belarusian leader was previously among the heads of state invited to join US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace. 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.