Lukashenko Announces Dismissal of KGB Chief Over Arrest of 33 Russians

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has announced the dismissal of the head of the State Security Committee due to the arrest of 33 Russians. On September 3, Lukashenko relieved the leaders of the Security Council and the KGB, Andrei Ravkov and Valery Vakulchik. Ivan Tertel has been appointed as the new head of the KGB, Interfax reports.

On July 29, the BelTA news agency reported that Belarusian law enforcement had arrested 32 militants of the "Wagner Group" in Minsk. All of them are citizens of the Russian Federation.

On August 14, it became known that the 32 Russians were returned to Russia. According to Lukashenko, the Russians had asked for forgiveness before the arrest.