Sviatlana Cichanouskaja, the leader of the Belarusian opposition, has announced her move from Vilnius to Warsaw, attributing the decision to increased threats and changed security measures targeting her and her office. She began her new role in Poland earlier this month, emphasizing that both she and her team had become targets of the Belarusian regime over the past years. It was reported that the change in her security situation in Lithuania led part of her team to relocate as they sought a safer operational base.

In January this year, Cichanouskaja informed Lithuanian lawmakers about her decision to move to Warsaw, which comes after Lithuania announced a decrease in her security provisions set to take effect by the end of 2025. The government argued that threats against Cichanouskaja had diminished; however, critics claimed this move undermined her status as a leading figure in the Belarusian opposition. Notably, Cichanouskaja ran against authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in the 2020 elections, a race that the opposition insists she won, further solidifying her platform and legitimacy.

In her remarks, Cichanouskaja expressed gratitude to Lithuania for its support and to Poland for sheltering hundreds of thousands of Belarusians who have fled from repression. She emphasized the importance of continued solidarity among nations for a free and democratic Belarus, reflecting a message of hope and resilience for her compatriots still facing the regime's pressure. Her relocation signifies a strategic shift in opposition efforts to rally support more effectively from a location perceived to be safer and more conducive to her objectives.