That is how the Russians write the name of the capitol city of Belarus, Minsk. It is a pleasant city of 2 million. Clean green and orderly people are friendly and there is no sense of danger here despite the travel advisories.
This place got a “bad rap” when Putin invaded Ukraine 4 years ago. He was backed by the president and the media ran stories of Belarusian troops also crossing the border to support the Russian invasion.
Our pretty young guide Julia avers that this never happened when I raised it with her. As is the case throughout Europe and particularly in former USSR countries borders are often just lines on a map. Her mother is Ukrainian and father is Belarusian and her situation is by no means uncommon. This war has driven wedges between families here. I am inclined to believe her that apart from some sabre rattling at the beginning there has been little or no military input from here.
A small but pretty old quarter survives centred around Freedom Square.
This little country is justifiably proud of its pivotal role in the Great Patriotic War (WW2) where the resistance to the German advance was pivotal to the ultimate defeat of Hitler’s forces on the Eastern Front. By holding them up Stalin was able to organise his Red Army and of course Russian’s secret weapon is as always the bitterly cold winter. The purpose built museum is nothing short of brilliant and one could easily while away many hours here and the war memorials around it.
Independence square is the largest public square serving as the city’s political and administrative heart.
The metro is not as ornate as Moscow or Pyongyang but still worth seeing a couple of stops.
Hands up anyone who knows of an internationally famous (or infamous) person who lived in Minsk! I know of only one. JFKs assassin Lee Harvey Oswald defected to the USSR in 1959. Initially Soviet authorities did not grant him citizenship and sought to deport him. He slashed his wrists so they relented but sent him to live in Minsk. He eventually married a local girl but ultimately returned to the USA in 1962. I ask Julia, our guide to show us where he lived. There is no plaque nor any signage.
