The tragedy of the Belarusian nation, which bore the titanic burden of losses and destruction of the cruelest war of the 20th century, is incomparable to any hardships of today. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement during the army parade held on 9 May to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet people's victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, BelTA has learned.

In Vitebsk Oblast, it was decided to end the heating season from April 30, the head department of the housing and communal services of Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee said.

The Belarusian government intends to come to terms on signing long-term contracts on oil deliveries from sources other than Russia, BelTA learned from First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Dmitry Krutoi on 7 May.

In Vitebsk Oblast, pupils of five schools of the world and other educational institutions applying for this title joined the campaign "Letter to Veteran" dedicated to the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, said Tatyana Tumanova, chairman of the oblast branch of Belarusian Peace Fund.

According to the preliminary data, Belarus' gold and foreign currency reserves totaled $7,882.9 million as of 1 May 2020, BelTA learned from the Information and PR Department of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus.

Challenge of video clips “75 songs about the war”, dedicated to the Great Victory, starts in Vitebsk Oblast. It will become part of the republican patriotic project "Flowers of the Great Victory," the BRYU oblast committee reported.

We invite other heads of state to come to Minsk for the Victory Parade, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he talked to the media, BelTA has learned.

As of April 1, 2020, Vitebsk Oblast registered almost 31.6 small and medium businesses, which is 3.2% more than in the same period of 2019, the press center of the oblast tax inspectorate reported.

The activities of the Belarusian Academy of Sciences needs a serious overhaul, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he got familiar with electric transport developments of Belarusian scientists, BelTA has learned.

According to the operational data of the oblast administration, in Vitebsk Oblast organizations in the first quarter of 2020, 5 people died as a result of industrial accidents (the first quarter of 2019 - 10) and 20 people were seriously injured (18).

Belarus will set the date of the upcoming presidential election soon, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during a videoconference call with Moldova President Igor Dodon on 4 May, BelTA has learned.

Foreign gratuitous aid should be used for social purposes only, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a government meeting held on 30 April to discuss the use of foreign gratuitous aid, BelTA has learned.

The remote vocal competition «On the same wave» will be held for the first time in Vitebsk Oblast, Vitebsk Oblast Methodological Center for Folk Art (VOMCFA) reported.

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has extended greetings to Israel President Reuven Rivlin as the country celebrates Independence Day, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian leader.

Agrarians of Vitebsk Oblast over the weekend crossed the equator in the sowing of early spring grain and leguminous crops, Agriculture and Food Office of Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee said.

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made new appointments on 23 April, BelTA informs.

In January - March 2020, more than Br441 million of revenues controlled by tax authorities came to the consolidated budget of Vitebsk oblast.

The country's foreign trade is balanced.

In Vitebsk oblast, more than 3 thousand people are on self-isolation, said Vladimir Sinkevich, the chief state sanitary officer of the region.

The Belarusian government has temporarily banned the export of respiratory equipment, including oxygen therapy machines and mechanical ventilators.