What does BNR mean in UNCLASSIFIED

The Belarusian National Republic (BNR) was a short-lived state that existed from March 25, 1918, to February 1919, during the Russian Revolution and the subsequent Polish-Soviet War. It was the first attempt at Belarusian independence in the modern era.

The independence of the BNR was declared by the Belarusian National Council (BNC), which was elected in December 1917. The BNC was composed of representatives from various Belarusian political parties and organizations.

The BNR's declaration of independence was motivated by a number of factors, including:

• The collapse of the Russian Empire following the February Revolution of 1917.
• The desire of Belarusians to establish their own independent state.
• The threat of annexation by Poland or the Soviet Union.

The goals of the BNR were:

• To establish an independent and democratic Belarusian state.
• To promote Belarusian culture and language.
• To defend the interests of the Belarusian people.

The BNR faced a number of challenges, including:

• The lack of international recognition.
• The military intervention of the Soviet Union.
• The political instability within Belarus.

The BNR collapsed in February 1919 when the Red Army invaded Belarus. The BNR government fled to Poland, where it continued to operate in exile.

The BNR remains an important symbol of Belarusian independence and national identity. The BNR's declaration of independence is commemorated as Independence Day in Belarus.