British Foreign Office advises against travelling to Belarus

February 20, BPN. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to Belarus.

The travel advice contains a list of places that should not be visited under any circumstances due to the joint Russian-Belarusian military drills Union Resolve 2022: Jelsk, Mazyr, Rečyca, Luninec, Homiel’, Asipovičy, Baranavičy, and Brest.

“Since January 2022, the build-up of Russian forces on Ukraine’s borders, including within Belarus, has increased the threat of military action. In the event of military action taking place, our ability to offer consular assistance may be limited,” the FCDO said in its statement.

According to London, the situation is “unpredictable and could escalate without warning.” British citizens are advised to avoid restricted areas reserved for exercising or for conducting operations, not to take pictures of military activity and sites of strategic importance. It is noted that there may not be warning signs in locations where prohibitions are in place.

“The situation in Minsk and other major cities is calm, but this could change quickly,” warns the FCDO.

Previously, the US Department of State advised against visiting Belarus.