Belarus rural depopulation accelerates: 1,701 villages vanish under Lukashenko

Belarus has lost 1,701 villages since Lukashenko took power, with 19 disappearing in 2026 alone, reflecting rapid rural depopulation. The latest village, Pirevichi, was removed between Zhlobin and Svetlogorsk. This trend underscores demographic decline and rural abandonment, though the political implications remain unclear.