Lukashenko says Russians followed his advice on buying rural homes

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has called on Belarusians to purchase vacant rural homes and land plots, saying Russians have already taken his advice and are buying them up.

Speaking on the issue of rural development, he warned they could miss the opportunity as Russians continue buying up abandoned properties across the country, Caliber.Az reports, citing BELTA.

Lukashenko encouraged Belarusians to embrace the growing trend of "izbing" — restoring and living in traditional countryside homes — by purchasing vacant houses and land in small settlements away from urban areas.

The Belarusian leader stated that he believes agricultural towns and larger villages, many of them former collective farm centres, will continue to develop, partly due to their proximity to major transport routes. Smaller villages, however, may gradually disappear or be transformed into new forms of rural living.

Lukashenko made it clear that the trend of "izbing" has already gained traction in Belarus, driven primarily by Russian buyers.

Addressing Belarusians living in cities, he reiterated his long-standing call to buy abandoned homes and plots in rural areas, where people can work the land, spend time in nature and raise children in a healthier environment.

"There are plenty of vacant places," he noted.

Lukashenko added that Russians had responded to his message more readily than Belarusians.

"It turns out the Russians listened to Batka: they are buying up these plots. Belarus has a well-developed network of railways and roads — everything is here. They are buying abandoned houses, renovating them, restoring them, and in some cases demolishing them," the president remarked. "But Belarusians are not listening to me."

He warned that Belarusians could later regret missing the opportunity.

"Take a look, Belarusians. The time will come when you will throw up your hands in despair, but it will be too late," Lukashenko stressed.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov