Lukashenko’s Hidden Circle: The People Behind the Power

The Belarusian Buro Media, in cooperation with Cyberpartisans and the Belarusian Investigative Alliance, has identified the so far anonymous members of Lukashenko’s inner circle - from chefs and hairstylists to personal physicians - who have been maintaining the president’s carefully curated image while reaping the rewards of their proximity to power.  

One standout figure is Mikhail Anishchanka, Lukashenko’s former personal chef. Renowned for crafting traditional dishes like Belarusian potato pancakes (draniki), Anishchanka gained international attention in 2015 when French President François Hollande praised his cooking.

Trained in elite Russian kitchens associated with Yevgeny Prigozhin—the late Wagner Group leader and a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin—Anishchanka earned up to $3,000 per month serving Lukashenko. The average salary in the country reached nearly 2,340 Belarusian rubles ($715) in the third quarter of this year, according to the state’s National Statistical Committee.

Today, he is a culinary celebrity in Belarus, hosting a cooking show and conducting workshops.  

Another key player is Zinaida Niakhai, who served as Lukashenko’s traveling chef for nearly a decade. Her tenure included preparing meals during most of his official trips between 2013 and 2020. Known for her discretion, Niakhai described Lukashenko as “a good person” but retired due to health reasons.  

Lukashenko’s medical care is handled by professionals such as Alena Kazak, a reanimation specialist who has accompanied him on official visits since 2016. Despite her modest official salary, Kazak’s proximity to the president has bolstered her career, including her role as head of a beauty and wellness center in Minsk.  

Even the president’s hairstylist, Sniazhana Motsnaya, has risen to prominence, enjoying perks like a luxury apartment. Originally from Lukashenko’s hometown of Shklov, Motsnaya embodies the intimate trust placed in those who manage his public appearance.  

These individuals form a tight-knit, privileged group whose loyalty ensures their access to opportunities unavailable to ordinary Belarusians. Lukashenko's personal staff receive significant financial benefits and career advancement opportunities, the privileges associated with serving the Belarusian leader. The investigation pictures the nature of power in Belarus in that way. While the president cultivates an image of self-reliance and austerity, those closest to him reflect the hidden costs borne by the state—and, by extension, its citizens.