Belarus slows down internet during opposition leader’s New Year’s address

January 1, Pozirk. Belarus restricted internet access five minutes before Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja’s New Year’s video address and lifted the restriction half an hour after it ended.
Users started experiencing problems at 11:43 p.m. YouTube and other websites run the opposition leader’s speech between 11:48 p.m. and midnight. At 0:28 a.m. the internet functioned unimpeded.
For 45 minutes, the internet speed was slow and YouTube was only accessible via VPN services.
Cichanoŭskaja dedicated her New Year’s speech to family and called for unity.
The address was viewed 100,000 times in the first 12 hours after its release on YouTube. Her last year’s address has 614,000 views and the 2022–2023 address 526,000 views.
Alaksandar Łukašenka does not have a YouTube channel. His speeches can be seen on state television and pro-government websites.
In yesterday’s address, he talked about generational change and said that the next five years of his rule will be dedicated to the quality of life.
The previous New Year’s Eve was also marked by internet access problems.
Lithuania's new foreign minister assures Cichanoŭskaja of support for pro-democracy forces
- EconomyUzbekistan to open migration agency in ViciebskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, SocietyPoland arrests two Lithuanians suspected of smuggling cigarettes from BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus outperforms Russia-led economic bloc members on two key indicators in January–MayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityUkraine reports sporadic use of relay systems in Belarus for Russian drone attacksThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus’ agricultural growth accelerates to 4.7 percentThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyHouseholds’ disposable income rises by 7.9 percent in January-MayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- EconomyBelarusian Steel Works sends 80 percent of its exports to RussiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Society, Sport
- Politics, SecurityLatvia records irregular crossings via Belarus for 111 consecutive daysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyKGB brands Belarusian marketplace, Ukrainian elite unit as “extremist” groupsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Politics, SportFIBA upholds suspension of Belarus’ basketball teams – reportThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyŁukašenka: 5,000 Uzbek workers to arrive in Viciebsk regionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja grateful to Macron and France for supporting free BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityNine countries join EU sanctions on Belarus’ IzovacThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics
- Economy
- EconomyCentral bank’s net assets decrease in MayThe material is available only to POZIRK+


