TENSIONS RISING: New video shows Belarus' embattled president Alexander Lukashenko — brandishing an assault rifle and wearing a bulletproof vest — as he emerges from a helicopter at the Palace of Independence in Minsk, where he inspected riot police after tens of thousand of peaceful protesters marched up to the state complex but were stopped by authorities. | ABC World News Tonight with David Muir

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko lashed out at NATO over recent threats to shoot down Russian aircraft. In remarks broadcast from Moscow, Lukashenko warned that such actions would provoke an immediate response, questioning whether NATO would risk targeting a presidential helicopter or military escort near the Polish border. He described the statements as “bold” but dangerous, accusing the alliance of fueling escalation. #Belarus #Lukashenko #NATO #Russia #Moscow #Poland | CGTNEurope