The largest landlocked European nation is home to over nine million citizens.
That probably gives the impression that Belarus is bigger than it really is.
In total, the whole country is smaller than the state of Kansas.
At the same time, all those millions of people only inhabit 60% of the land, since the rest is forest.
City planners have gotten creative to not only house people but keep them entertained.
For example, Belarusians have a 23-floor library in the shape of a diamond.
There are also boldly colored murals all across downtown Minsk.
Seeing all that Belarus has to offer would make for an exciting trip to Eastern Europe.
Not right now, though, thanks to the country’s proximity to Russia and conflict.
If you find yourself on the way anyway, stay with us as we discuss the most dangerous cities in the country.
Contents
10 Most Dangerous Cities in Belarus
1. Minsk
Almost in the middle of the country, Minsk is the capital and is home to several bodies of water.
That keeps locals entertained and hopefully their minds off the crime rate.
Currently, the crime rate is 57.
Due to the political climate, it’s not surprising that the top crime is corruption.
2. Babruysk
Coming up in the ranks just behind the capital is Babruysk.
Sadly, the 57 crime rate here is also for corruption and bribery.
The biggest difference between the two locations is violent crimes are a big problem in Babruysk.
In the west, Baranavichy plays host to a university, a railroad, and almost 200,000 citizens.
With that many people, it’s not shocking to see the city featured on this list.
The biggest issue coming into the crime rate of 48 is corruption.
Seeing a pattern?
Other crimes being committed at notable rates are property related.
4. Vitebsk
A stone’s throw from the Russian border, Vitebsk was home to world-renowned artist Marc Chagall.
With architecture and churches dating back as far as 1100, it’s easy to see where the inspiration came from.
Today, the crime rate is 40.
Criminal activity has picked up a lot in the last three years, yet the records don’t show that much for any category other than bribery.
On the northern tip is Navapolatsk, a city named after its neighbor.
Crime here rates at 57.
The biggest part of that number comes from corruption followed by property crimes.
6. Gomel
Gomel is basically within walking distance from the border of both Russia and Ukraine.
101 crimes are committed for every 100,000 citizens.
That puts the crime index at 49.
If you had a hunch that bribery was an issue, you hit the nail on the head.
Don’t forget about property crime!
7. Brest
On the Polish border, Brest is home to some of the most beautiful buildings and museums in Belarus.
Being surrounded by culture hasn’t kept criminals at bay.
The criminal index shows Brest at 58, with bribery and violent crimes being the top concern.
8. Mazyr
The Pripyat River runs through Mazyr and it is a great focal point for the town.
Up until the last several years, Mazyr was relatively peaceful, as far as crime is concerned.
The rise in corruption has caused an uprising of problems, especially following the Russian invasion.
9. Kobryn
Technically, Korbyn isn’t really that scary of a place to be.
Unemployment is taking the town in a dark direction, though.
That might get worse as corruption increases.
Property crimes have been increasing due to these factors.
10. Žlobin
Located in the southeast, Žlobin is another city with a river wrapping around it.
On the crime index, the city ranks at 33.
As you might have suspected, corruption is the biggest concern of the citizens, followed by violent crimes.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Belarus
1. Avoid All Interactions
Belarus is an ally of Russia.
During the current military campaign, Belarus is siding with Russia against its other neighbor, Ukraine.
This stance is being backed by the Belarusian military, some of which are stationed at the Ukrainian border.
If you haven’t left for Belarus yet, don’t.
If you’re already there, everything you say and do must be highly monitored with caution.
The government has recently passed laws that will impose strict punishment on anyone they deem as a counter to these military efforts.
In other words, a whiff of support for Ukraine or disapproval of Russia could ultimately result in the death penalty.
Don’t publically speak your mind and definitely avoid posting anything online.
2. Stay Far From the Border
If, upon reading the first tip, you decide it might be a good time to leave a Russia-supporting place, you’d be right.
However, the only way out is going to be through limited commercial airline options.
Do not attempt to go to Ukraine by plane or at the border.
The amount of military personnel lined up and down the border to Ukraine makes it impossible to slip through without anyone knowing.
In fact, the act of trying to cross the border could likely end in jail.
Crossing into enemy territory is just not going to fly any time soon.
It will probably be difficult to find a viable flight out, unfortunately.
At this point, your best bet would be to see if there is any type of government assistance from a foreign embassy available.
3. Register the Trip
Okay, so there is a lot going on in Belarus right now.
There may or may not be an embassy to get help from, should you need it.
So, what can be done?
One way to let the US know you’re alive and could possibly be stuck is to register the trip with the government.
STEP, Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, is a free platform where you can make the US aware of your location.
They will let you know the embassy closest to you and even put you in contact with someone if you need it.
Of course, you’re not required to register every step you take while abroad, but it can be increasingly necessary for a tenuous spot.
The program also offers family and friends direct access to you in case of an emergency, which you might find in Belarus.
4. Take Extra Steps for Water
The water here isn’t necessarily the highest quality.
The best way to combat getting sick from drinking water is to go out of your way not to drink it.
Bottled water would be an excellent way to combat any health issues from consumption.
If bottled beverages are unavailable or difficult to obtain, there are ways around drinking the water and not just hoping for the best.
The next best thing would be to boil the water.
Boiling it will get rid of much, if not all, of the contaminants that would have an adverse reaction in your body.
It should be safe to drink, use for cooking, and even brushing teeth after that process.
Once boiled, water can be stored in jugs and refrigerated until you need it.
5. Always Be Identifiable
In times when everyone is being looked at through a microscope, you don’t want to give any authority figure an opportunity to find you suspicious.
No matter where in the world you hail from, there’s always someone with a little bit of power with a chip on their shoulder.
When that power is coupled with unending detention, it might mean you’re answering questions more often than seems necessary.
In Belarus, there are no restrictions on an officer when it comes to finding out who you are.
Not being able to provide original documentation could have you looking at the inside of a cell in no time.
Don’t get caught in this pickle.
Passports don’t exactly fit in pockets and you might not feel comfortable putting it or a visa in a bag.
Invest in a document holder that doubles as a necklace that can be worn under your shirt.
Belarus Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Belarus Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the worst time to visit Belarus?
Do you mean other than now?
Typically, winter is the most depressing time here.
More people than you’d think to die annually from snow-related accidents.
Not everyone is used to extreme cold.
So, December through February would be the time to go elsewhere.
Do Belarusians love potatoes?
Very much so.
In fact, it would be unusual to enjoy a meal that doesn’t have some sort of starchy element to it.
There are over 300 specialty recipes specific to this region that all include potatoes.
They also love pancakes.
There’s an entire week devoted to the dish before Lent, but that’s another story.
What sports are big in Belarus?
For a country with just a tad more than half of its land inhabitable, it’s quite a feat that there are 23,000 venues to watch games at.
Clearly, physical activity is not only a great way to socialize but also the perfect way to get blood flowing during the cold months.
Luckily, there’s always something going on throughout the year.
The most common games attended or played are hokey, handball, and soccer.
