Belarus Opposition Braces for Democracy Push Amid Rumors of Leader's Ill Health

Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya urged her supporters to be ready to seize any opportunity to turn Belarus into a democracy as rumors about the health of President Alexander Lukashenko swirl. Lukashenko, a staunch ally of Russia, has ruled Belarus with an iron fist since 1994. He has not been seen in public since May 9, and unconfirmed media reports suggest he has been hospitalized. The opposition is reportedly working on a joint action plan with democratic forces for when something happens. Flight tracking data showed a special Russian government plane flew in and out of Minsk over the weekend.