AGP Executive Report

Belarus-Russia security spillover: A political scientist says Europe is finally treating Belarus as an EU security risk, not just a Ukraine problem, arguing Minsk’s role in Russia’s aggression can’t be ignored. Drone warfare and counter-drone tech: Rostec unveiled the export-marketed Lightning 13 (Molniya) UAV at Minsk’s National Security Belarus-2026 exhibition, pitching it for reconnaissance and response while clearly aimed at battlefield use; Lithuania meanwhile is funding a domestic interceptor drone program (up to €3m) to detect, intercept and neutralize drones. Ukraine’s strikes hitting infrastructure: Ukraine says it struck a railway bridge and power-related targets in Crimea with drones, adding pressure as the peninsula faces outages and fuel disruptions. EU defensive posture: EU lawmakers backed an EU Democratic Shield push focused on hybrid threats, including those linked to Russia and Belarus, with proposals to strengthen agencies and expand sanctions. Belarus governance research: BIPART published a study arguing the Presidential Administration remains a central power lever in Belarus, acting as a personnel and supervision filter especially after 2020. Sports and doping: The IOC stripped Russian runner Yekaterina Guliyeva of her 2012 silver medal after banned-substance violations, triggering medal reallocation.

Belarus-Ukraine tech dispute: Zelensky accused Belarus of not dismantling Russian signal rebroadcasting equipment on Belarusian territory, saying it boosts Russian communications and raises security risks. Drone and counter-drone focus: Ukraine’s border guard chief inspected the Belarusian section, stressing engineering upgrades, video surveillance, and expanded counter-drone capabilities for rapid response. Russian UAV export signal in Minsk: Rostec unveiled the heavy-class Lightning 13 (Molniya) drone at the Minsk National Security Belarus-2026 exhibition, pitching “civilian” training and monitoring uses while clearly targeting battlefield roles. Belarusian tech in the spotlight: A Belarusian health update followed a drone attack on a bus carrying children in Russia’s Bryansk region; Belarusian patients were reported to be receiving high-tech care. Science & culture for Belarus: Belarusian researcher Tatsiana Artsimovich received the Igor Zabel Award Grant 2026 for work on contemporary Belarusian art and the avant-garde. Digitizing archives: A Belarusian Museum Laboratory session will teach families how to digitize personal archives and preserve valuables.

Belarus-Ukraine Tech Tensions: Ukraine’s Zelensky accuses Minsk of not dismantling Russian signal rebroadcasting gear on Belarus territory, warning it boosts Russian communications and regional security. Border Security & Monitoring: Ukraine’s border guard chief inspected the Belarus frontier, focusing on engineering upgrades, counter-drone capacity, continuous monitoring, and video surveillance readiness. Tax & Data Reporting for HTP: Belarus expands reporting duties for Hi-Tech Park residents, requiring quarterly account activity updates and annual transaction reporting above set thresholds, plus new bank data sharing on transfers abroad. Digitizing Archives: Belarusian Museum Laboratory invites people to learn how to digitize family valuables and organize personal archives ahead of future generations. Belarus in Culture & Research: Art researcher Tatsiana Artsimovich receives the Igor Zabel Award Grant 2026 for work on contemporary Belarusian art and the Belarusian avant-garde. Health Update: Belarus’ Health Ministry reports stable conditions for children and adults injured in the Bryansk region bus incident, with high-tech care ongoing.

Belarus–Ukraine Tech Tensions: Zelensky gave Lukashenko a one-week ultimatum to remove Belarusian and Russian signal repeaters on border towers, alleging they help coordinate drone strikes on Ukrainian civilians—warning Ukraine will act directly if Minsk doesn’t comply. Belarus Tax & HTP Compliance: Belarus’ tax authorities expanded reporting for Hi-Tech Park residents, requiring quarterly account opening/closure updates and annual transaction reports above 150,000 BYN, plus new bank data on transfers abroad. Aviation & Training Tech: Belarus’ Ural Civil Aviation Plant promoted the Russian UTS-800 trainer at National Security Belarus-2026, stressing low operating costs and “technological independence” via a domestically produced VK-800 engine. UAVs in the Region: Rostec showcased the Lightning 13 UAV at the National Security Belarus-2026 exhibition, positioning it for reconnaissance and emergency use but noting its military deployment context. Digital Surveillance Risk: A Recorded Future report says state AI-enabled surveillance creates high/very high risk in 31 countries, with Belarus included among the broader monitoring landscape. Culture & Research: Art researcher Tatsiana Artsimovich received the Igor Zabel Award Grant 2026 for work on contemporary Belarusian art and the avant-garde.

Belarus–Ukraine border tech showdown: Zelensky issued a 7-day ultimatum to Lukashenko to remove Belarus- and Russia-linked signal repeaters on border towers, alleging they help track targets and adjust fire against civilians—warning Ukraine will act directly if Minsk doesn’t comply. HTP tax data expansion: Belarus’ tax authorities will collect more resident information, including HTP verified-account openings/closures and quarterly reporting for large transactions, plus annual property-developer expenditure data and bank transfers abroad. UAVs at Minsk security expo: Russia’s Rostec showcased the Lightning 13 UAV (exported as “Lightning”), touting speed, range, and a 13 kg payload, with a clear emphasis on military reconnaissance and monitoring. Cyber surveillance risk: A report says state digital surveillance using AI, biometrics, spyware, and data aggregation creates high/very high risk in 31 countries—relevant for Belarus-linked tech and cross-border actors. Belarusian research recognition: Artsimovich received the Igor Zabel Award Grant 2026 for work on contemporary Belarusian art and the avant-garde. Health update: Belarus’ Health Ministry says Bryansk-region patients injured in a reported drone attack are stable, with children showing positive progress.

Belarus Tech & Security: At Minsk’s Belarus 2026 International Security Exhibition, InnoTech Solutions showcased “Scanner 2.1,” an acoustic locator meant to spot drones even in radio silence, including FPV and fiber-optic UAVs, with ranges up to ~350m for FPV and ~1.5–2km for combustion-engine drones. Defense Tech Exports: LEMT also drew attention with a laser-guided FPV concept: an operator tracks a target on thermal imagery while a laser beam steers the drone, and the firm says Middle East partners showed interest. Regional Tech Policy: Belarus’ tax rules for Hi-Tech Park residents are tightening: the Ministry of Taxes and Duties expanded reporting, including quarterly account activity data for verified accounts and annual transaction reporting above 150,000 BYN per currency/e-money. Science & Nature: A camera-trap study filmed wolves attacking European bison in Poland’s Białowieża forest, including attempts to take a newborn calf—rare footage that challenges the idea that bison face no natural predators. Health Update: Belarus’ Health Ministry reported stable conditions for children and adults injured in the Bryansk region after a reported drone attack on a bus carrying Belarusian children.

Belarus Tech & Security: Minsk-based InnoTech Solutions showcased the Scanner 2.1 acoustic locator for detecting drones in radio-silence mode at Belarus 2026, with reported ranges up to 2 km and the ability to triangulate locations by linking multiple units. Defense Tech: LEMT presented a laser-guided FPV drone concept for Middle East buyers, using a tripod sight and thermal tracking so the operator keeps a crosshair on target while a laser link updates the drone’s flight. UAV Industry: Rostec demonstrated the Lightning 13 UAV at the National Security Belarus-2026 exhibition, touting a 120 km/h speed, up to 50 km range, and a 13 kg payload for reconnaissance and emergency search-and-rescue. Border Tech Tension: Ukraine’s Zelensky issued a 7-day ultimatum to Lukashenko over Belarusian and Russian signal repeaters on border towers, alleging they help coordinate attacks and adjust fire. Policy & Data: Belarus expanded tax data collection for Hi-Tech Park residents, requiring quarterly reporting on verified account openings/closures and annual transaction reports above 150,000 BYN, plus bank reporting on transfers abroad. Cross-border Tech Crime: Brest customs seized cultural valuables hidden in a car crossing from Poland, after an expert assessment found 20 items over 50 years old.

Belarus Drone Sensing: Minsk-based InnoTech Solutions showed its Scanner 2.1 acoustic locator for detecting drones in radio-silence mode, including FPV and even fiber-optic UAVs, with ranges reported up to ~2 km and the option to link multiple units for triangulated positioning. Laser-Guided FPV Interest: LEMT presented a laser-beam guidance system for FPV drones, aimed at keeping the operator’s crosshair on target via thermal viewing; the company says it’s resistant to electronic warfare but requires direct line of sight. Border Tech Escalation: Zelenskyy issued a one-week ultimatum to Lukashenko over Belarusian and Russian signal repeaters on border towers allegedly used to track targets and coordinate fire against civilians. UAV Showcase: Rostec demonstrated the Lightning 13 UAV at Belarus 2026, describing speeds up to 120 km/h, ~50 km range, and a 13 kg payload, with the line positioned for reconnaissance and monitoring. Cybersecurity: CERT Polska warned about Ghostwriter/UNC1151 phishing that imitates Gmail admin alerts to steal passwords and real-time 2FA codes. EU Tech Policy: Russia urged SCO members to build their own digital platforms to reduce dependence on Western media giants, framing it as information security. Aviation Training: UZGA promoted the Belarus-exhibited UTS-800 trainer, highlighting low operating costs and “technological independence” via a domestically produced VK-800 engine.

Belarus drones for export: At Belarus 2026 International Security Exhibition in Minsk, InnoTech Solutions showed the Scanner 2.1 acoustic locator for detecting drones in radio silence, including FPV and “Baba Yaga” class hexacopters, with reported ranges up to 2 km and options to link multiple units for triangulation. Laser-guided FPV interest: LEMT also displayed a laser-guided FPV drone concept where an operator tracks a target in direct sight via thermal imagery while a laser link guides the aircraft; the firm says Middle East customers showed interest. Cross-border cultural goods seized: Brest customs stopped a Belarusian couple trying to move 20 cultural valuables (tableware/cutlery) from Poland, with an expert valuation around 10,000 Belarusian roubles; proceedings were opened and penalties could include fines and confiscation. Cyber risk spotlight: A report says the UNC1151 “Ghostwriter” group is targeting Gmail users with fake Google admin emails to steal passwords and real-time 2FA codes, with heavy focus on Poland and links historically tied to Belarus. Drone espionage case in France: French authorities arrested a Belarusian suspect accused of filming a prototype drone at Delair’s plant near Toulouse and sending footage to Russia, facing up to 15 years.

Belarus Tech & Security: UNC1151 (“Ghostwriter”) is hitting Gmail users with fake Google admin alerts that steal passwords and real-time 2FA codes, with CERT Polska saying the campaign has been running hard since March 2026. Belarus Tech & Industry: Kalashnikov proposes a CSTO-wide UAV competence center and licensed production of strike and reconnaissance drones across member states, aiming to standardize fleets and cut costs. Belarus Aviation: Belarus-linked UTS-800 training aircraft prototype is nearing its maiden flight after ground vibration tests with the VK-800SP turboprop engine and checks of avionics, hydraulics, and control systems. Belarus Diplomacy (science/tech angle): Iran’s science minister urged global action to protect universities from US-Israeli strikes at an SCO education ministers meeting in Minsk. Belarus in the war tech spotlight: Reports say Russian intelligence drones using Belarus airspace have risen ~20% since January, alongside claims of new drone bases near the border. Belarus business ties: India–Belarus forum in Mumbai highlighted agricultural machinery and heavy engineering, plus technology transfer and industrial cooperation.

Belarus UN Cooperation: Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Sekreta met UN Office in Vienna chief Monica Juma and UNODC Executive Director to discuss future Belarus–UNODC work, with a focus on combating human trafficking and multilateral, non-political crime cooperation. Belarus Industry Automation: Lukashenka signed a decree “On Stimulating Robotisation” to push robot density in manufacturing to 100 units per 10,000 employees by 2030, using tax breaks and VAT support for robot buyers and incentives for domestic robot production and engineering services. Belarus Tech & Trade Links: An India–Belarus business forum in Mumbai explored deeper cooperation in agricultural machinery and heavy engineering, including technology transfer and industrial investment opportunities. Belarus Agriculture Modernization: Minsk region plans 168 hectares of new intensive orchards this year, including apple varieties for longer storage and more blueberries, with soil testing and plot selection already underway. Cybersecurity Roundup: A major ThreatsDay bulletin highlighted fresh malware and phishing tactics, including abuse of npm packages and credential-stealing email lures. Regional Security Tech: Reports say Russian intelligence drones using Belarus airspace have increased since January, alongside claims of new drone support infrastructure near the border.

Belarus–Ukraine border pressure: Ukraine says Russian spy drones using Belarus airspace have risen about 20% since January, alongside reports of new drone bases and expanded Belarus logistics and surveillance infrastructure—while both sides trade accusations over a deadly drone strike near a bus of Belarusian schoolchildren. Industrial robotisation push: Lukashenka signed a decree “On Stimulating Robotisation” to boost manufacturing robot density to 100 units per 10,000 employees by 2030, with tax breaks, VAT relief for robot buyers, and VAT exemptions for domestic robot components and services via the High Technologies Park. Belarus-linked drone ecosystem: Rostec claims it is mass-producing dozens of drone types and highlights models shown in Minsk, including reconnaissance and monitoring UAVs. Cybersecurity in the region: Researchers warn of ClickFix campaigns using new malware loaders (BabaDeda, Lorem Ipsum, Potemkin) and note targeting patterns that include Belarus-avoiding checks. VPN crackdown trend: Belarus already bans VPN bypass tools, while the UK signals possible VPN restrictions as age-verification and child social media controls expand. Tech-and-trade angle: An India–Belarus business forum in Mumbai focused on agricultural machinery, heavy engineering, and technology transfer.

Belarus–India Business Ties: A Belarus-led business forum in Mumbai focused on investment and technology transfer in agricultural machinery and heavy engineering, with Belarus highlighting its industrial know-how and scope for cooperation with Maharashtra’s manufacturing and innovation base. Drone Tech in Minsk: Rostec says its plants are mass-producing 20+ drone types for civilian, dual-use and military roles, citing neural-network upgrades for data processing and control; it showcased Falcon and Lightning 13 at Belarus-2026. Cybersecurity Watch: Researchers report Ghostwriter/UNC1151 phishing Gmail users with fake Google security alerts to steal logins and 2FA codes, while separate ClickFix campaigns push new malware loaders via PowerShell lures. VPN Reality Check: A country-by-country roundup notes Belarus bans VPN use that bypasses state content filters, with penalties for possession or use. Arctic Cleanup: Clean Arctic returned volunteers from Russia and Belarus and proposes an international camp to coordinate industrial waste removal and share processing know-how. Belarus Vulnerability to Drones: Lukashenko says Belarus is “highly vulnerable” to Ukrainian drone attacks and warns key infrastructure could be targeted.

Cybersecurity: Ghostwriter (UNC1151) is running Gmail-themed phishing attacks that trick targets into handing over logins and 2FA codes, with CERT Polska documenting frequent new domains and targeting of public figures and professionals. Malware Delivery: ClickFix campaigns are expanding with new loaders (BabaDeda, Lorem Ipsum, Potemkin) and fake update lures, using stealth tactics to drop stealers and remote access tools. Belarus-Ukraine Tech Risk: Lukashenko says Belarus is “highly vulnerable” to Ukrainian drones and claims Ukraine has identified 500 targets on Belarus territory. Defense Tech & Drones: Russia unveiled the Sokol surveillance drone for extreme conditions at the National Security Belarus–2026 exhibition in Minsk. Sanctions & War Industry: The EU adopted an interim sanctions package hitting Russia’s shadow fleet, FPV/recon drones, and missile-related component makers. Data & Compliance: Yandex reportedly complied with a record number of law-enforcement requests in 2025, disclosing user data in most government applications. Belarus Tech Watch angle: Belarusian counter-drone and counter-terror expertise is being pitched to African partners, alongside interest in engineering and medical training.

EU Sanctions: The EU adopted an interim sanctions package hitting Russia’s shadow fleet, FPV and reconnaissance drone makers, and firms supplying components for missile systems like Iskander and Banderol. Belarus Drone Risk: Lukashenko said Belarus is “highly vulnerable” to Ukrainian drones and warned key Belarusian infrastructure could be targeted. Poland–Ukraine Tech Deal: Poland is still holding the transfer of its remaining MiG-29s to Ukraine, tying the move to a pending drone technology transfer agreement. Russia–Belarus Tech at Expo: Russia plans to showcase the Sokol surveillance drone at the National Security Belarus–2026 exhibition in Minsk, underscoring the tech’s extreme-conditions focus. Data & Surveillance: Yandex reportedly complied with 85% of government requests in 2025, disclosing user data heavily tied to ride-hailing and delivery services. Belarus Education & Tech Pipeline: Belarusian university admission passing scores are expected to rise, with extra state-funded places focused on medical, engineering, and agro-industrial fields. Belarus–Africa Cooperation: Belarus says African partners want its counter-terrorism experience and drone-defeating equipment, alongside education and medical science ties.

Belarus–Africa Tech & Security: Belarus says African partners want its counter-terrorism know-how and drone-defence equipment, with Minsk also pushing cooperation in education, medicine and veterinary pharma after talks with Ghana’s president. Automotive Electronics: Belarus and China move toward local production of car multimedia systems, aiming for mass output in early 2027 and more industrial electronics know-how. Education & STEM Pipeline: Belarus warns university admission competition will intensify as passing scores rise, while new state-funded places target medical, engineering and agro-industrial specialties. UAV Arms Race Signal: Russia is showcasing a new weather-resistant surveillance drone in Minsk, underlining how drone tech is being positioned for harsh conditions and rapid deployment. Research, Sanctions & Tech Sovereignty: Russia and Belarus discuss joint steps to counter Western sanctions, including “financial and technological sovereignty,” as sanctions pressure continues. Human Rights & Civic Space: UN and European reporting highlights ongoing rights pressures and the need to keep abolition and civil freedoms in education and public life.