Belarus Prisoner Swap & Digital Media: US envoy John Coale shared photos of 25 freed Belarusian political prisoners in Vilnius, including TUT.BY and BelaPAN figures and civil society expert Tatiana Kuzina, as Minsk agreed to release detainees in exchange for US sanctions relief on two Belarusian firms. UN Reprisals & Surveillance: A UN report warns that people cooperating with UN human rights work face intimidation and digital surveillance, urging states to protect civil society and ensure accountability. EU Defense Tech Push: The European Parliament adopted a Defense Readiness Omnibus aimed at speeding permits and procurement to expand production of drones, sensors and ammunition tied to the Ukraine war. Minsk Metro Engineering: Minsk officials said the exact opening date for new metro stations won’t be announced yet due to complex soils and high groundwater, while tunneling methods are being adjusted and a ring line is planned. Belarus-Linked Drone Support: Ukraine says Russia uses Belarusian relay stations to guide long-range drone attacks, keeping pressure on Minsk’s role in regional tech-enabled warfare. Border Security Engineering: Poland is reinforcing checkpoints and building observation posts near Ukraine after drone strikes, using rapid-deploy HESCO-style fortifications. Academic Freedom Watch: A Scholars at Risk report places India in “severely restricted” academic freedom, highlighting growing state control over universities. Recruitment Scam Network: A Code for Africa investigation describes a Russia/Belarus-linked digital recruitment network using AI-made sites and Telegram channels to co-opt Africans into fighting in Ukraine. Belarusian Tech Talent Under Pressure: Psychiatrist Uladzimir Pikirenia, focused on addiction and HIV treatment, was added to Russia’s wanted database while in exile. Belarus Tech & Mobility Culture: Minsk’s metro progress and the broader tech-and-security environment frame the week’s Belarus science/tech angle, from infrastructure engineering to surveillance-enabled conflict.