Last week, there was speculation about Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s health after his appearance at Russia's Victory Day parade in Moscow on 9 May.
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The ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin was wearing a bandage on his hand and was unable to walk 300 metres to the tomb of the lost soldier, requiring an electric buggy to transport him instead.
He then suddenly left for the airport, reportedly accompanied by an ambulance, skipping a state meal with Putin and other world leaders.
Vladimir Putin ally reportedly in hospital
Now, there are reports that Lukashenko has been hospitalised. He failed to attend a national event on Sunday 14 May where young people swear allegiance to the Belarusian flag in an annual ceremony. According to BelTA state news agency, Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko read a message on his behalf instead. However, the outlet did not explain his absence.
Opposition news outlet Euroradio and other independent Belarusian news agencies reported that Lukashenko was hospitalised near Minsk on the evening of Saturday 13 May, however they did not disclose their sources.
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Lukashenko missed the ceremony of honoring Belarus state flag, symbol and anthem this morning.
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) May 14, 2023
The prime minister said a speech instead of Lukashenko.
Belarus opposition media report that Lukashenko was spotted in a hospital and doctors from Moscow arrived to him. pic.twitter.com/YS9xuUD3Sc
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Russian media also reporting on Lukashenko's health
A Russian online publication, Podyom, cited the First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Konstantin Zatulin, as saying that '(Lukashenko) has simply fallen ill ... and probably needs a rest'.
Russia's daily Kommersant also reported on Lukashenko's health, quoting Zatulin and Belarusian opposition media. This is despite the fact that Russian media rarely reports on the health of Russian leaders or their allies.
Belarus' state media has not confirmed these reports and Lukashenko’s office has refused to comment.
Sources used:
The Times: 'Belarus leader Lukashenko in hospital, reports say'
Reuters: 'Belarus PM replaces Lukashenko at ceremony, sparks speculation'
