Tens of thousands of protesters have rallied in Minsk in opposition to Alexander Lukashenko, with many directing chants of “happy birthday, you rat” towards the embattled Belarusian president. Lukashenko received a congratulatory phone call from Russian president Vladimir Putin, who extended him an invitation to visit Moscow – a sign of the Kremlin’s support for the Belarusian leader amid the threat of Western sanctions. Throughout the day, police, including some in plain clothes, bundled protesters into vans.
‘Happy birthday, you rat’: Belarus protesters target Lukashenko despite military threat
