{
  "id": 9269014,
  "title": "Tsikhanouskaya: Lukashenko fears ordering Belarusian troops to fight Ukraine",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/tsikhanouskaya-lukashenko-fears-ordering-belarusian-troops-to-fight",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T04:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ukrinform - Politics",
    "slug": "ukrinform-politics",
    "url": "https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/4166970-tsikhanouskaya-lukashenko-fears-ordering-belarusian-troops-to-fight-ukraine.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a recent interview with Ukrinform during the UN General Assembly in New York, opposition leader Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya expressed doubts about the Belarusian military's capability to participate in any offensive operations against Ukraine. She stated, \"I very much doubt that the Belarusian army, Belarusian soldiers, or Belarusians could take part in any offensive operations, because there are no anti-Ukrainian sentiments among Belarusians.\" Tsikhanouskaya also noted that Putin and Lukashenko have failed to convince Belarusians of their need to defend Russia or Belarus.\n\nShe further explained that Lukashenko would be hesitant to issue military orders due to potential discontent among the armed forces. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that Lukashenko acknowledges the opposition to his rule, stating, \"Even his entire elite realizes his dependence on Putin and the fact that he is a lame duck.\" The opposition leader suggested that discussions about a post-Lukashenko era in Belarus are already taking place among those in his inner circle.\n\nTsikhanouskaya believes that Lukashenko's reliance on Putin and his desire for Russia's victory are driven by these sentiments. She added, \"He understands these sentiments. That is why he clings to Putin tooth and nail and, of course, would like Russia to win.\" As reported by Ukrinform, Ukraine has imposed a special regime in a one-kilometer-wide zone along its borders with Russia and Belarus.",
  "summary": "Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya believes that Belarusian troops cannot be involved in military operations against Ukraine because self-proclaimed President Alexander Lukashenko knows the public sentiment.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Euromaidan Press",
        "title": "Ukraine’s Donetsk counteroffensive wins not by force but by stealth: it gathers troops under Russian nose and seizes two villages before they react",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/ukraines-donetsk-counteroffensive-wins-not-by-force-but-by-stealth-it",
        "published": "2026-09-22T17:30:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}