Thirty-six-year-old Mozyr blogger Maxim Shukanov had over 6,000 subscribers on the Union Bell YouTube channel. He analyzed political processes and told the truth about the war between Russia and Ukraine. Sometimes these videos garnered tens of thousands of views.
Even after the repression intensified, Maxim didn't leave the country. Together with his fiancée, Polina Zyl—also a blogger—he went underground.
The couple avoided contact with the Belarusian government, but in February 2025, they were finally forced to seek medical attention, as Maxim's health problems worsened following the arrest of his father, Igor Shukanava, an employee of the Mozyr Oil Refinery.
When a wanted person seeks medical attention with their passport, the police receive a tip. This is likely what happened in the blogger's case.
The situation was doubly dramatic because it also led to the arrest of Polina Zyl.
Trial outcome date unknown
4 years of imprisonment in colony under general regime conditions.
After the sentence comes into effect, it is only possible to write letters to a prisoner. According to article 85 of the Penal Enforcement Code, prisoners cannot receive money transfers from persons who are not family members. Parcels are also only possible from relatives. If you want to help, help families directly, if this option is available on the prisoner's card.
unknown years of imprisonment in colony under general regime conditions.
Appeal date unknown
unknown.
After the sentence comes into effect, it is only possible to write letters to a prisoner. According to article 85 of the Penal Enforcement Code, prisoners cannot receive money transfers from persons who are not family members. Parcels are also only possible from relatives. If you want to help, help families directly, if this option is available on the prisoner's card.
unknown years of imprisonment in colony under general regime conditions.
After the sentence comes into effect, it is only possible to write letters to a prisoner. According to article 85 of the Penal Enforcement Code, prisoners cannot receive money transfers from persons who are not family members. Parcels are also only possible from relatives. If you want to help, help families directly, if this option is available on the prisoner's card.
unknown years of imprisonment in colony under general regime conditions.
Appeal 26.09.2025
the sentence was upheld.
After the sentence comes into effect, it is only possible to write letters to a prisoner. According to article 85 of the Penal Enforcement Code, prisoners cannot receive money transfers from persons who are not family members. Parcels are also only possible from relatives. If you want to help, help families directly, if this option is available on the prisoner's card.
Ivan is from Naroch (Kobylnik), a resort town in the Myadel district. He recently moved to Minsk and worked as a security guard.
It's unclear why Yursky could have been arrested. He ran a community called "Chanson for the Soul," where he posted this specific type of music. His social media includes Orthodox churches, he wears clothing with the Russian flag, and reposts chanson music by the likes of Viktor Kalina.
Trial outcome date unknown
unknown years of imprisonment in colony under general regime conditions.
Appeal date unknown
unknown.
After the sentence comes into effect, it is only possible to write letters to a prisoner. According to article 85 of the Penal Enforcement Code, prisoners cannot receive money transfers from persons who are not family members. Parcels are also only possible from relatives. If you want to help, help families directly, if this option is available on the prisoner's card.
unknown years of imprisonment in colony under general regime conditions.
Appeal date unknown
unknown.
After the sentence comes into effect, it is only possible to write letters to a prisoner. According to article 85 of the Penal Enforcement Code, prisoners cannot receive money transfers from persons who are not family members. Parcels are also only possible from relatives. If you want to help, help families directly, if this option is available on the prisoner's card.
Oleg was detained for comments on social media in the Kolodishchi agro-town in the Minsk region.
Trial outcome 17.06.2025
1 year of imprisonment in colony under general regime conditions.
After the sentence comes into effect, it is only possible to write letters to a prisoner. According to article 85 of the Penal Enforcement Code, prisoners cannot receive money transfers from persons who are not family members. Parcels are also only possible from relatives. If you want to help, help families directly, if this option is available on the prisoner's card.
He was convicted for a comment about Ukraine made in 2022. The case was heard in the Minsk City Court.
Trial outcome 21.08.2025
2 years of imprisonment in colony under general regime conditions.
Appeal 14.10.2025
the sentence was upheld.
After the sentence comes into effect, it is only possible to write letters to a prisoner. According to article 85 of the Penal Enforcement Code, prisoners cannot receive money transfers from persons who are not family members. Parcels are also only possible from relatives. If you want to help, help families directly, if this option is available on the prisoner's card.
5 years of imprisonment in colony under enhanced security conditions.
After the sentence comes into effect, it is only possible to write letters to a prisoner. According to article 85 of the Penal Enforcement Code, prisoners cannot receive money transfers from persons who are not family members. Parcels are also only possible from relatives. If you want to help, help families directly, if this option is available on the prisoner's card.
3 years of imprisonment in colony under enhanced security conditions.
After the sentence comes into effect, it is only possible to write letters to a prisoner. According to article 85 of the Penal Enforcement Code, prisoners cannot receive money transfers from persons who are not family members. Parcels are also only possible from relatives. If you want to help, help families directly, if this option is available on the prisoner's card.
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