[SignalNotSecure]

They aren't dysfunctional in the sense you imagine. Their state is fighting for survival in the face of foreign agents and interference. They are in a weak position to defend themselves so you see them lashing out in less subtle ways. Civilians are unfortunately caught in the crossfire.

[rsynnott]

Also, er, fighting for survival against its own people.

[SignalNotSecure]

Correct

[baybal2]

> Civilians are unfortunately caught in the crossfire.

Not a crossfire, but a very directed one. It's critical to such regimes to never let anything the West does happen without it hitting their own civilians.

If the population see Western sanctions benefiting them, and visibly harming the regime, people will be ready to take bigger sacrifices, knowing that the regime will loose much more than they do.

It is equally critical for the West to communicate loud, and clear to Belarusian people that they are doing those actions to support their resistance, and not just because they want to hit Lukasenka.