The key facts

  • Victory in the V wood-chopping championship among media outlets was won by the VoyenTV team, which beat 36 rivals
  • The prize is a branded axe with Lukashenko's autograph and work gloves
  • Team members also distinguished themselves in individual disciplines

Axes with the president's autograph

The winners of the V wood-chopping championship among media outlets in Belarus received as a gift from the country's president, Alexander Lukashenko, a branded axe bearing his autograph and work gloves. This was reported by Gazeta.Ru citing the Telegram channel of the republic's defense ministry.

Who won

The competition was won by the team of the VoyenTV television company, which beat 36 rivals. In the individual disciplines — wood chopping 'Presidential Style,' 'One Blow,' and wood chopping among men — team members also took prize places, the defense ministry said.

Context of the gifts

This is not the first unusual gift connected with Lukashenko that the media have written about: in August he was presented with the first Belarusian-made assault rifle, designated VSK-100B, during a visit to a plant producing military and civilian products. The plaque on the gift reads: 'Not for war... For confidence in peace!' Lukashenko ordered another copy of the rifle to be placed in the Palace of Independence in Minsk.