Lukashenko's Hypocrisy

How the government “cares for” stray animals in Belarus.

Lukashenko has suddenly become the star of a public service announcement: a video from a propaganda Telegram channel about four kittens from Alexandria—whom the leader is “helping find owners”—is circulating on social media, writes “Solidarnast”.

The caption under the video states that the cats are “very affectionate, cheerful, and friendly,” live in a box near a local store, but “come twice a day to the woodpile” at the ruler’s residence. And with winter approaching, they need a warm home and care. Those interested are invited to contact, apparently, the Lukashenko press service’s unofficial Instagram account.

In comments on Threads, Belarusians pointed out that there are a huge number of stray animals in Belarus, and that many well-meaning people who feed the “pups” don’t give much thought to spaying, neutering, or vaccinations. As a rule, spaying and neutering is carried out by animal rights activists and volunteers—at their own expense.

At the same time, despite the law against animal cruelty that has been passed, there is simply no systematic state policy in this area in Belarus. In our country, there are animal pounds—so-called temporary holding facilities—and exactly one (!) state-run shelter.

For enthusiasts who organize and maintain shelters on their own, the authorities not only fail to help—they demand huge sums in dog taxes from them and threaten them with eviction (recently, concerned Belarusians literally saved the “Five Freedoms” shelter in Bobruisk)…

And where is the notorious charitable “First Fund,” which, as Lukashenko assured us, was created in part as a state alternative to private organizations that “treated dogs, cats, and so on”? Could it be that the only “needy” ones it helped were the inner circle and family members of Irina Abelskaya?

Meanwhile, as of October 1, 2025, 20,025 stray animals had been captured in Belarus. None of them were lucky enough to be found scavenging near the little shop in Alexandria and catch Lukashenko’s eye.

Several Minsk residents told “Solidarnast” that in recent months, municipal services have rounded up stray cats—and in their place, rats have moved into high-rise buildings, especially those with unsealed garbage chutes…

Municipal workers insist that they only trap stray animals—mostly dogs—and that culling “is not provided for by law.” But they shyly remain silent about the fact that the 63 temporary holding facilities—that’s how many are operating nationwide—are physically unable to cope with the captured “strays,” and their future prospects are bleak.

Propaganda likes to recall a high-profile case from Vitebsk (2022): a young woman brutally kicked a small dog, the video went viral on social media, the owner was convicted under two administrative articles, and Lukashenko personally gifted the dog to hockey coach Dmitry Baskov right in the middle of practice.

Well, the ruler’s attitude toward his beloved Spitz, Umka—who is allowed more than any person in Belarus—has long been the stuff of legend. (Meanwhile, other Spitz owners are reminded that the law applies to them in full, and even traveling with a dog on public transportation is not a right but a privilege, at the driver’s discretion).

So why didn’t Lukashenko apply the same approach to cats? Stray cats—catch them and send them to a state-run shelter; if there isn’t one, build one; ownerless cats—give them to his officials—it’s unlikely any of them would dare refuse such a generous gift. A charity auction could be organized—whether among workers and laborers or among businesspeople—and ultimately support more than one shelter.

At the very least, bring some from his hometown to his own residence in the town of Ostroshitsy—I imagine that on a farm where many cows, goats, and other animals, presented to the ruler over the years, already live, four more spayed and vaccinated cats won’t eat the place out of house and home…

But it seems this is a case where Lukashenko wants to appear to care, rather than actually care. If he were truly concerned about stray animals—aside from the ever-memorable cows—a state program for microchipping and sterilization would already have been adopted and implemented in Belarus.

Taxes on pets would go specifically toward dog parks, veterinary care, and other infrastructure. The law on responsible pet ownership would apply to everyone, not just selectively.

However, this is all hypothetical. Belarusians see the state’s actual attitude toward animals—and toward people—every day.

A heartwarming video on social media is no big deal. They could even start helping old ladies cross the street to show how close they are to the people.

But both the people and the ruler know full well that one-off bursts of humanism won’t fix anything, won’t reduce the level of total showmanship and hypocrisy, and won’t earn Lukashenko any more universal love. You might as well pet a hundred kittens.

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