Press releases

MINSK, 26 December (BelTA) – Christmas and New Year street lights will be switched off in Belarus on 26 December as a sign of solidarity with the Russian nation who is mourning the Tu-154 plane crash victims, spokeswoman for the Belarusian President Natalia Eismont told BelTA.

“The President of our country took a decision to turn off the holiday illuminations in Minsk and other Belarusian cities in solidarity with the Russian nation,” Natalia Eismont said.

As BelTA reported earlier, Russia declared 26 December as the day of national mourning for the Tu-154 plane crash victims.

By the decision of President Alexander Lukashenko, flags are flown at half-mast over the President’s Residence and other government buildings in Belarus in solidarity with the Russian nation. Entertainment events and programs are restricted during the day. TV and radio channels are recommended to take these circumstances into account.