Border Security & Belarus-Russia Ties: Lukashenko ordered Special Operations Forces deployed along the southern border with Ukraine, framing it as security while critics and opposition-linked sources say it signals deeper military integration. Ukraine, meanwhile, says it sees no strike-group buildup but keeps fortifying the 1,084-kilometer frontier with mine-laden defenses and anti-drone barriers. EU Sanctions: The EU adopted its 21st Russia package and parallel Belarus amendments, tightening finance, energy, crypto and military-industrial pressure, including new measures tied to oil price-cap enforcement and LNG-related controls. Minsk Legal & Crime: Minsk police detained a “black realtor” in a case involving alleged apartment extortion and threats; prosecutors also opened a criminal case after a foreign driver was caught bribing traffic police. War-Linked Industry: A fire broke out at the Integral plant in Minsk, a supplier of electronics used in Russian missile programs. Culture & Diaspora: The Museum of Free Belarus joined Warsaw Gallery Weekend as an official institution, debuting an exhibition by Aliaksandr Adamau. Sports & Belarus in the Spotlight: Belarusian tennis No.1 Aryna Sabalenka returned home for family time, while the Baltic Olympic committees condemned an IOC move that could allow athletes from Belarus and Russia to compete under their national flags.