Unidentified Substance Sprayed Near Lukashenko's Residence, Causing Protesters to Retreat

An unidentified type of substance was sprayed near the residence of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, where a crowd had gathered. According to a correspondent from РИА Новости at the scene, the incident occurred when some protesters approached the line of police officers quite closely and began recording on the shields of the law enforcement officers.

It is reported that after the substance was sprayed, participants in the action experienced tearing in their eyes, difficulty breathing, and a burning sensation in their throats. Following the incident, some of the thousands who had gathered retreated from the barrier, with part of the crowd dispersing in the opposite direction. No clashes occurred between the law enforcement officers and the protesters.

Previously, reports indicated that armored vehicles had been deployed near Lukashenko's residence in Minsk, and OMON officers had blocked access to the residence. It is worth noting that protests continue in Minsk and several other cities in Belarus following the presidential elections held on August 9, which declared the incumbent president, Alexander Lukashenko, as the winner, amid opposition claims of electoral fraud.