Russia cuts electricity to Belarus

Russia cut all electricity exports to Belarus at midnight, as promised, after Minsk failed to pay its debts. Analysts estimate that UES provides around 10 percent of Belarus’ electricity.

On the surface, both sides are playing sort of nice – with Belarussian officials promising to pay up, and Russia’s electricity monopoly, RAO UES, saying it will resume exports as soon as it gets its cash.

But there are signs that Russia is getting tired of supporting its struggling neighbor, an expensive task and one repaid with little thanks.

Last night, Gazprom-owned NTV aired the following report (complete with ominous music) about the state of Alexander Lukashenko’s regime and the country’s failing economy.