Volozhin Region
Executive Committee

The All-Belarusian campaign ‘We are citizens of Belarus!’ dedicated to Constitution Day launches at the Constitutional Court in Minsk on 9 March, Svetlana Pavlenina, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Belarusian Youth Union BRSM, told BelTA.

“The campaign will focus on 14-year-old boys and girls - representatives of all regions and the city of Minsk. A total of 25 people. The passports of citizens of the Republic of Belarus will be presented to the young people by Chairman of the Constitutional Court Sergei Sivets and First Secretary of the BRSM Central Committee Vladimir Pavlovsky. “Traditionally, the young people also receive symbolic gifts during a ceremony. The event participants will receive a signature box containing the Constitution and the state flag and an educational puzzle map - a set of magnetic elements made in the shape of the territorial units of our country.”

First launched by the BRSM in 2004, this patriotic initiative has grown immensely popular among young people and has rightfully become one of Belarus’ cherished traditions. The official passport ceremony celebrates teenager’ coming of age, reinforcing their new status as full citizens of Belarus with corresponding responsibilities to the state and its laws. Belarus annually celebrates Constitution Day on 15 March. The Constitution establishes the foundations of state power and public life, guarantees citizens’ basic rights and freedoms, and outlines the principles of a democratic, social, and legal state. It also plays a key role in shaping the civic identity and national character of Belarusians.

The campaign will run in all regions of Belarus on 9-15 March.

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The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus will promote cooperation with China’s Xidian University (aka Xi’an University of Electronic Science and Technology), BelTA has learned.

Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Aleksei Trukhanov met with a delegation of Xidian University led by the head of the Integrated Circuits Department Gang Xiao at premises of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus on 6 March. The parties discussed a broad range of matters concerning promising avenues of bilateral cooperation in science and technology, including in the field of semiconductors and microelectronics.

Photo courtesy of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus

During the meeting the Academy of Sciences was represented by Academician-Secretary of the Department of Physics, Mathematics, and Informatics of the National Academy of Sciences Aleksandr Shumilin, Director of the B.I. Stepanov Physics Institute Sergei Gaponenko, Director General of the State Scientific and Production Association of Optics, Optoelectronics and Laser Technology Maksim Bogdanovich, and other people.

The Chinese delegation went on a tour of the permanently open exhibition that showcases the R&D products of the Belarusian science that have been assimilated by the manufacturing sector. The program of the visit also includes a trip to OAO Minsk Research Institute of Radiomaterials.

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The Oval Hall of the Government House, which is hosting the large-scale national forum “Woman and the future of the countryside” today, has gathered those who strive to make life in rural areas brighter, more interesting and more comfortable, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Igor Sergeyenko said during the opening of the forum in Minsk on 3 March, BelTA has learned.

“This is not just a meeting. It is a dialogue about the future, about preserving the heart of our country – rural territories,” the speaker noted, welcoming representatives of 118 districts of the country.

Igor Sergeyenko pointed out that every woman at the forum has her own interesting life, family history, and unique experience. Some have traded the city’s pace for life in the countryside. There are also mothers of large families among the participants, many of whom have received state and ministerial awards.

“Despite your various backgrounds, you are united by one thing – love for our country and your homeland, and the desire to make life in the village brighter, more interesting, and more comfortable,” Igor Sergeyenko stated.

The speaker noted that in rural areas, it is women who keep the agricultural sector, education, healthcare, culture, trade, and village executive committees running. The committees also handle administrative and organizational matters in villages.

“Working in various fields, you are deeply immersed in the local issues, you see the problems and perfectly understand that the sustainable development of our country depends on every person. The pace for the years ahead is set: it is a time for concrete action. From each of you in your workplace,” Igor Sergeyenko added.

Addressing the forum participants, the speaker emphasized that they have much to offer the state and society. “You are active people capable of uniting society, finding a balance between traditions and innovations, developing initiatives born from the land itself, and, most importantly, implementing them for the benefit of the country,” he said.

The chairman of the House of Representatives also noted the role of rural women in history, pointing out that it changed dramatically after the October Revolution. The role of women expanded beyond the household; she became an active participant in social and political life, collectivization, and production.

During the Great Patriotic War, women replaced men who had gone to the front: they ploughed the land, sowed, harvested crops, and worked on tractors and farms. Hundreds of thousands of women showed heroism by participating in the partisan movement and underground resistance, fighting the enemy at the front alongside men. Women played a crucial role in the post-war reconstruction of the countryside.

“Today, no professional goal is beyond your reach. Belarusian women make up more than half of the employed population. Our compatriots are proving their leadership potential every day. In the House of Representatives alone, women hold more than 35% of the seats, which is higher than the global average,” the chairman of the House of Representatives noted.

Overall, the share of women in leadership positions in Belarus holds steady at a parity level of 50%, the speaker added.

The chairman of the House of Representatives then referred to the words of the head of state. He emphasized that Aleksandr Lukashenko has repeatedly noted that rural development is not a matter of convenience or fashion, but the foundation of the state’s stability. “Our roots – both spiritual and material – are in the village,” the president stressed. “A Belarusian’s sense of stability and confidence in themselves and their future stems from an unbreakable bond with their native place. The village is more than a piece of land – it is a civilization in its own right. Our own Belarusian civilization.”

“Hence the task for the entire vertical of power and civil society is to create conditions where living and working in agrotowns and other small settlements will be comfortable, promising, and worthwhile,” Igor Sergeyenko noted. “The social and economic development program for the current five-year period places special emphasis on equalizing the economic potential of regions and eliminating demographic, personnel, and infrastructure imbalances. Put simply, the key goal is to make the very idea of a ‘remote rural backwater’ vanish from the Belarusian vocabulary within the foreseeable future.”

The speaker stressed that professional career opportunities and living conditions in all corners of the country should be no worse – and perhaps even better – than in large cities. That is why the theme of the village was raised at the Belarusian People’s Congress, around which the understanding of the nation’s future is now being built – from the economy and food security to the development of human potential and the preservation of national identity.

The forum is organized in accordance with the national action plan for the Year of the Belarusian Woman 2026. The event organizer is the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus with the support of the regional executive committees and the Ministry of Culture.

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Belarusian scientists may take part in research on rare earth metals in the Arctic, Governor of Russia’s Murmansk Oblast Andrei Chibis told journalists following his meeting with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko on 2 March, BelTA has learned.

“Kola Peninsula contains almost 80% of the periodic table. This is what is already known, but research continues. In this sense, the rare earth metals and mineral resources found in the Arctic, primarily on the Kola Peninsula, are also a potential area for joint projects [between Belarus and Murmansk Oblast],” Andrei Chibis said.

The governor also has a meeting scheduled with the leadership of the National Academy of Sciences during his visit to Belarus. According to him, one of the topics to be discussed with Belarusian scientists will be potential cooperation in this area. “This is one of the possible prospects for cooperation: to develop new technologies that would allow for more efficient extraction of mineral resources, without which neither today’s economy nor the economy of future generations is possible,” he noted.

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Senya the raccoon, who became famous after his unusual arrival from the USA inside a shipping car container, is now adapting to life at the animal park in Baranovichi, BelTA has learned.

Senya’s story touched many Belarusians, who continue to follow how his new life is unfolding. At first, the foreign guest was kept in quarantine at the Oshmyany District Veterinary Station, after which he moved to the Baranovichi animal park. He was placed in a spacious enclosure, fed various delicacies, and even received official documents: the former “illegal traveler” was issued a Belarusian passport, making him officially one of “ours”.

“Senya is a wild raccoon, so he is very cautious. The journey he went through would be a major stress for any animal. He needs time to adapt to new conditions. When a person enters the enclosure, Senya tries to hide. But we are doing everything possible to help him get used to people and stop seeing them as a threat,” the park staff said.

When no one is around, the raccoon behaves calmly. He comes out of his shelter, explores the enclosure, walks around, and eats. “We try to create the most comfortable conditions for him, following his routine and dietary habits. Raccoons are predators: they usually eat raw meat. But for some reason, Senya prefers cooked meat. So we adjust to his new food preferences,” specialists explained. “We hope that very soon Senya will get used to people, feel safe and relaxed in the park, and that we will even be able to place him on display with other raccoons.”

The Baranovichi animal park is among the three most visited tourist attractions in Brest Oblast.

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Employees of the Ozery agricultural enterprise continue to daily feed the bison inhabiting the territory of the national landscape reserve in Grodno District, gamekeeper Aleksei Vrublevsky told BelTA.

According to Aleksei Vrublevsky, the bison (of which there are about 500 in the reserve) are weathering the low temperatures calmly. Human care helps. “When there is food, the animals’ heat exchange functions. If they are full, they are warm. And it doesn’t matter to them how hard the frost is,” said the gamekeeper.

Employees lay out feed at 20 special sites. This process begins long before the cold weather sets in. For example, in August, after the harvest, wild animals are offered seed cleanings. Year-round, salt licks are put out for them, needed to replenish micronutrients after bison calving, and for deer, for example, to support antler growth. With the arrival of cold weather, the menu is supplemented with other treats loved not only by bison but also by other wild inhabitants. Silage, beets, apples, and hay are laid out for the animals. Feed is gradually delivered to different sites. Incidentally, during the season, the animals consume 50 tonnes of hay, 50 tonnes of apple waste, 5 tonnes of salt, about 80 tonnes of seed cleanings, and nearly 500 tonnes of haylage. “An animal won’t be cold if it’s full,” Aleksei Vrublevsky said.

“The bison aren’t completely trusting, of course. They become wary. But, for instance, they already know the sound of the vehicle that brings the feed. And before the tractor has even driven away, they are already standing ready to come out and eat. If they sense danger somewhere, they move aside and run into the forest. But eventually, they come out anyway,” the gamekeeper said.

According to Aleksei Vrublevsky, specialists also adjust the amount of feed depending on the size of the herd that has taken a liking to a site. “Right now, for example, a large herd has arrived, about 200-250 heads, bunched together. And one tractor trailer, which holds 4-5 tonnes, is a bit little for this herd. So sometimes we take out even two trailers of feed to one site in a day to make sure they have enough,” he explained. “If the animal is full, it won’t freeze, which means less mortality among the young.”

Specialists say the bison will keep coming to the feeding sites until the snow melts. “They will continue to come to the sites for now. But as soon as the grass appears, when it gets warm, this need will disappear, and they will start feeding in the forest,” Aleksei Vrublevsky said. Incidentally, they also use a distraction tactic here, sowing special fields with winter crops to keep the animals from encroaching on the enterprise’s crops or heading toward the road.

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Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Serbia to Belarus Ilina Vukajlović is on a working visit to Brest. One of the key issues is cooperation in healthcare, BelTA has learned.

The diplomat visited Brest Oblast Clinical Hospital. The healthcare facility treats patients from around the world. Last year, it provided care to citizens of Bulgaria, Russia, Kazakhstan, Poland, Ukraine, Türkiye, and other nations. A patient from the Comoro Islands was also treated there.

“Basically, this involves consultations with our specialists. We also provide ongoing treatment for regular patients under cooperation agreements. Patients are met at the airport, escorted to Brest, and provided with accommodation. We have been doing this kind of coordinated work for several years now and have built up significant experience,” chief physician of Brest Oblast Clinical Hospital Aleksandr Karpitsky noted. “Organ transplantation is the top priority, followed by cardiac surgery and large joint replacement.”

Brest Oblast Hospital is interested in expanding its network of partners. “We have chosen friendly Serbia among others. In 2025, we made two visits to Belgrade thanks to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Serbia Sergei Malinovsky. He helped us and arranged a meeting with the health minister. We discussed how to establish contacts, possible cooperation options, medical assistance, and clinical research. We visited the National University Clinical Center and reached an understanding that cooperation should continue,” Aleksandr Karpitsky said.

Ilina Vukajlović’s visit aims to continue the dialogue on forging ties. “We are still at the discussion phase. We would like to give them tangible form by signing an actual cooperation agreement,” Aleksandr Karpitsky stated.

The diplomat emphasized Serbia’s openness in relations with Belarus. She particularly noted the world-class quality of medicine in our country and the professionalism of specialists. “Your healthcare system and management are at a very high level. We are ready to consider cooperation proposals, which is very encouraging. We see no barriers at all,” the Serbian ambassador said.

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On Sunday, 15 February the Orthodox Church celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Jesus at the Temple. This is one of the great feasts of the Orthodox calendar, standing alongside Christmas and the Epiphany of the Lord.

According to Old Testament law, every firstborn male was to be consecrated to God; however, this rite could not be performed until at least 40 days after the boy's birth. The parents were required not only to present the child to God but also to offer a purification sacrifice. In fulfillment of this requirement, Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the Jerusalem Temple, and for the sacrifice, they chose two young pigeons. The Most Holy Virgin Mary had no need for purification, but out of deep humility, she submitted to the requirement.

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Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin talked to reporters on 13 February and explained what effect the snap inspection of the combat readiness of the Armed Forces is expected to produce, BelTA has learned.

Viktor Khrenin said: “As an effect we have to stay on our toes all the time. Military personnel should be ready morally and physically. And certainly, they need professional training.”

The minister remarked that if an armed conflict begins, the adversary counts on surprise and tries to dictate terms. “We should avoid a situation where we get overwhelmed, where we are at a loss and disperse. We should retaliate right away,” he stated.

When asked about the progress of the Belarusian army’s snap inspection authorized by the head of state, Viktor Khrenin noted that it is too early to sum up the results yet. “The commander-in-chief has personally inspected the combat readiness of the Armed Forces. He examined the deployment area and the battalion’s command post, heard a report from the commanding officer, and evaluated the accommodation and amenities available to the military personnel,” the Defense Ministry head pointed out.

Apart from that, the Belarus president checked shooting skills of the military personnel. “Yes, one shooter did not do well. Another one did better. But it will be just like that [in an actual firefight]. Some have better training. Some have worse training,” Viktor Khrenin stated.

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Trade between Belarus and China can be significantly increased, as China has demand for Belarusian goods, political scientist Piotr Petrovsky said in a new episode of the V Teme [On Point] project on BelTA’s YouTube channel.

“I believe that the share of Belarusian-Chinese trade could be doubled or even increased two and a half times. There is demand for this. The fact is that China is transitioning to a so-called dual circulation economy, where exports and imports need to be balanced,” Piotr Petrovsky said. Currently, a significant portion of goods manufactured in China is exported. In the analyst’s view, this is also a disadvantage for China, as it creates dependence on the situation in sales markets.

In his opinion, China wants to boost domestic consumption, not only of its own goods but also of products from strategic partners and allies. “Belarus should move in this direction,” he added. The political analyst noted that Belarusian goods could be more widely represented not only in traditional retail but also in Chinese online stores.

Piotr Petrovsky also highlighted the development of joint manufacturing ventures between Belarus and China. He cited cooperation between Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ trademark) and Chinese engine manufacturer Weichai as an example. “We have started producing all the components for MAZ products that were previously purchased abroad - engines, assemblies, gearboxes. This allowed us to weather the negative impact of sanctions with almost no losses,” the analyst emphasized.

He also pointed out that Belarus not only fulfils all its transit obligations for Chinese goods but also serves as a strong technological hub for Chinese manufacturers, which is an equally important area of cooperation.

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