Hi. My name is Kiryll Balakhanau. I’m 21 years old, from the town of Buda-Kashaliova – not far from the Ukrainian border. Before my arrest, I studied at the Homiel Mechanical Engineering College and wanted to become a technician.
After the 2020 election, I got involved in the protests. Not on the front lines, but in my own way: painting white-red-white flags on fences, making graffiti. It felt important and honest.
When Russia invaded Ukraine, I started thinking how I could help. I joined an anti-war Telegram group called Sayuz belaruskaha natsyianalnaha shchyta. We exchanged information on Russian troop movements, posted anti-war messages, shared TikTok content, and supported other initiatives like Belaruski Hajun. Eventually, I became one of the admins. We even had “cocktail” recipes. The investigators didn’t forget to include that in the case.
On November 1, 2022, the Ministry of Internal Affairs designated our group as an extremist entity. A week later, I was detained. I was 18. The MIA press release named me and accused me of planning to go fight in a “nationalist battalion” in Ukraine. In court, I was charged under Articles 361-1 and 361-4 — participating in an extremist entity and facilitating extremist activity. The sentence: 3 years and 6 months in a high-security correctional facility.
I ended up in Correctional Facility No. 1. It’s hard to talk about those conditions without trembling. They don’t beat you directly, but every day is a test. Pressure, humiliation, constant fear, and isolation. Letters didn’t always get through. Sometimes I just wanted to vanish.
In August 2023, I was recognized as a political prisoner. Then, on June 21, 2025, I was unexpectedly released – following a visit from the U.S. President’s special envoy. I was taken directly to Lithuania with a few others, including Siarhei Tsikhanouski.
I found myself in a new country, free – but with only my passport, no money, no belongings, and no idea what to do next.
Right now, things are really hard. I need a place to live, food to eat, I have to restore my documents, and at least find some kind of temporary work. I’m asking for help to stay afloat and not fall into poverty in my very first month of freedom.
Thank you to everyone reading this. Any support is a sign that I am not alone.
Fundraising goal
€3100
€1200 – 3 months of rent
€1000 – food and basic needs
€500 – clothing, healthcare, communication, documents
€400 – reserve for unexpected expenses