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
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja awards medals to Ukrainian, Luxembourg MPs in LondonThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRights defenders say nearly 9,800 people faced reprisals since 2020The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyBelarus' border guards find dead foreigner near shared border with LatviaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsViasna reports dozens of raids linked to exiled university’s extremist designationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- SocietyBelarus reports fivefold increase in bison population over 20 yearsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsSinger who declined pro-Łukašenka performances released after 14 days in jailThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyOfficials play down bear attack fears despite reported incidentsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityRussia-led military bloc to hold peacekeeping, biosecurity drills in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarusian experts clearing landmines in Kursk province, governor saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Probe finds more children poisoned with food in Minsk regionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsRussian FM to visit Minsk in mid-JuneThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBaranavičy police being trained to suppress protestsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Society
- Politics, SecurityLatvia reports 32-month high in irregular crossings via BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: KGB harassing students, alumni, lecturers of blacklisted universityThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyLithuania sues Belarus over irregular migrationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society


