"This base can may serve the same purpose as the Russian base in Crimea. We cannot allow this to happen for sake of Belarus future, for the sake of our children," said Belarus opposition leader Vladimir Neklyaev, addressing the rally, Ukraine Today reports.

Signing of a deal last month on establishing the Russian airbase in Belarus is seen as further proof of the Kremlin's plans to keep Belarus within its geopolitical orbit.

See unian.info’s video section for more of the latest news from Ukraine in video from Ukraine Today, Ukraine’s 24-hour English-language news channel.