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
- Politics, SecurityŁukašenka talks to US deputy envoy after Trump callThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsUN experts urge Minsk to stop mistreating people sentenced for “terrorism and extremism”The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarus envoy details Trump-Łukašenka callThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarusian opposition politician links Trump-Łukašenka call to peace talksThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja asserts Trump’s “important humanitarian mission” after Minsk-Washington callThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsSeptuagenarian activist added to extremist listThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- PoliticsŁukašenka’s office announces his conversation with TrumpThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyFounder of Belarusian feed additives firm arrested in $30,000 bribery caseThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyRubel rises against key currencies at BCSE at week's last tradingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyAgricultural production plunges 12.7 percent in January-JulyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBelarus reports 1,200 more cars in Poland-bound border queueThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyReal income growth slowing down for five consecutive monthsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka invites India’s president, PM to visit BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyChinese-Belarusian hi-tech hub's deficit in goods trade widens in H1The material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyCentral bank’s net foreign-currency assets up 5 percent since JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyBelarusian Association of Journalists suspends deputy chairman amid harassment probeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyYouth faction urges fair treatment after Belarusian rapper Warsaw gig arrestsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, SocietyMinsk raises pensions and base rateThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics