Exclusive: Childhood Memories of Lukashenko Revealed in Rare Interview

Vera Kostenko, a long-time acquaintance of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, recently gave an exclusive interview to the First National Channel. The interview, conducted in various locations significant to Lukashenko's upbringing, offers rare glimpses into his childhood. Kostenko recounts anecdotes about his youth, providing a personal perspective rarely seen in official biographies. In one segment, she describes Lukashenko's time in the local library, recalling, "He was a young man, surrounded by the four hundred collective farms, and he had one great goal." The interview also touches upon the early signs of his ambition and leadership qualities. Kostenko's recollections provide a valuable addition to the understanding of Lukashenko's formative years and his path to the presidency.