Lukashenka's new companion — "Miss BRICS" beauty pageant finalist Aliya
A young brunette, Aliya Karotkaya, is appearing more and more frequently in Lukashenka's entourage. As is customary, she attracted the attention of the Belarusian leader at beauty pageants. The girl managed to participate in several: from regional "Miss Minsk" and "Miss Viva Braslav" to the national "Miss Belarus" (twice) and the international "Miss BRICS". Such persistence helped not only her career but also her family's business — which was already quite wealthy, among other things, writes "Buro".
A Contest for Insiders
In March 2026, the first ever "Miss BRICS" beauty pageant was held in Kazan. It was organized by Russia, inviting only friendly countries to participate. A total of 17 such countries gathered, and among them, of course, was Belarus. Our country was represented by 22-year-old Minsk resident Aliya Karotkaya. She took third place and received the audience sympathy prize.
On her Instagram, the girl extensively covered the contest and its backstage. She boasted that every day she chose dishes from the "gourmet menu". She enthusiastically wrote about meetings with Ksenia Sobchak, Eldar Dzharakhov, Olga Buzova, Zara, and other Russian celebrities. She rejoiced at gifts from the organizers — AirPods Max headphones (about $550), a Dior cosmetic box ($200-400), a BORK hair styler (about $600), and cosmetic sets from b.colour, SenSulu, and Lic (total price about $300).
Aliya Karotkaya was sent to the contest by the National School of Beauty — an organization funded by the state budget of Belarus. Officially, it trains future models and searches for candidates for beauty pageants. In practice, however, it selects companions for events for Alexander Lukashenka and his entourage. Aliya Karotkaya is no exception. She appears more and more frequently alongside the Belarusian leader.
Devoted Fan
In early April, the Republican Hockey League competitions concluded. Alexander Lukashenka's team won the championship for the 17th time. Aliya Karotkaya watched the final match from the VIP stands, wearing a jacket with the inscription "Miss BRICS".
Aliya Karotkaya at the final match of the Republican Hockey League, April — 2026. Source: Aliya Karotkaya's Instagram account
During the tournament, the girl came to the stadium multiple times to support Lukashenka. As a sign of gratitude, he gave her soft toys.
Aliya had appeared alongside the politician before, and with enviable regularity. In April 2025, she, along with Lukashenka, planted trees in the future People's Unity Park.
In May, she boasted about an invitation to watch the parade from Stand A. Lukashenka's probable daughter Kristina Motsnaya was sitting there with her mother Snezana.
In July, Aliya attended a meeting in honor of Independence Day, at which Lukashenka spoke.
Karotkaya is also a welcome guest at the Palace of Independence. In October 2025, Natalia Eismont, Lukashenka's press secretary, gave her a tour there.
Already in December, Aliya was once again within the walls of the Palace of Independence — at Lukashenka's New Year's ball.
In January, Karotkaya appeared at Lukashenka's Old New Year reception, where he handed out state awards. The girl was accompanied by Ksenia Sankovich — Secretary-General of the NOC and Lukashenka's former favorite.
Aliya Karotkaya sought the attention of Lukashenka and his close associates for a long time and persistently. "Miss BRICS" is just one of many contests in which she participated.
Social Elevator
In an interview with "Pilot FM", Aliya Karotkaya revealed that she had dreamed of beauty pageants since childhood. To fulfill her dream, she began studying at the National School of Beauty at just 12 years old. In 2023, having just reached adulthood, the girl went to the "Miss Belarus" contest. Aliya did not win any prizes, but she clearly caught Lukashenka's eye: he took her into the so-called protocol service — an entourage of beauties who accompany him at official receptions.
"The employment of girls in the protocol service is an example of the instrumentalization of female beauty to strengthen the image of power. It is the use, exploitation, of female beauty and appearance for Lukashenka's political image," noted gender researcher Marina Mentusova in a conversation with a "Buro" journalist.
After "Miss Belarus", Aliya received several advertising contracts. For example, with the lingerie brand "Milavitsa" and the Belarusian division of "Fanbet" — the largest sports betting company in the CIS. The girl also collaborated with "Soundcafe Production", a company that organizes cultural and entertainment events. Her portfolio includes joint projects with the Presidential Sports Club, led by Dmitry Lukashenka: the "Heroes" show and the "Sport for All" marathon.
Having gained modeling experience, Aliya triumphantly returned to beauty pageants. In winter 2025, she became the second Vice-Miss Minsk, in summer she won four titles at "Miss Viva Braslav", and in autumn she again participated in "Miss Belarus" and took second place.
Thus, 22-year-old Aliya Karotkaya already has five beauty pageants behind her. However, she has not yet completed higher education: the girl is finishing the Institute of Psychology at the Belarusian State Pedagogical University. This case is indicative for Belarus, commented gender researcher Iryna Sidorskaya to "Buro":
"For female students in a normal state, the main social elevator should be the university, not a beauty pageant. In Belarus, however, a beauty pageant is presented as one of the most important social elevators. As if, if you are like that, you can have a very enviable career, a destiny. This is one of the main platforms for imposing role models. Because independent career achievements — becoming an entrepreneur or a researcher — do not suit the state. It primarily needs loyal women."
Indeed, an attractive appearance became a social elevator for Aliya Karotkaya. Moreover, it helped not only the girl's career but also her mother's business.
Apple from the Apple Tree
Aliya grew up in a wealthy family. According to "Cyberpartisans," the Karotky family owns two apartments in Minsk. One is on Kazintsa Street, with an area of 65 square meters. The second is in the "Parus" residential complex. This is a real mansion of 134 square meters. The total estimated cost of the apartments is about $330 thousand.
Additionally, Aliya published photos from the elite restaurant Fabriq on social media and called this place her "favorite". It is co-owned by Dmitry Lukashenka's brother-in-law — Vladimir Kulakov.
Furthermore, Aliya vacationed at the expensive country complex Robinson Club, which was opened by businessman Pavel Topuzidis, who is close to Lukashenka.
The Karotky family also regularly flew to Abu Dhabi for vacations, all together.
For a long time, only the father, Andrei, worked in the family. According to "Cyberpartisans," he was involved in supplying used car parts from Europe to Belarus.
Aliya's mother, Diana, had her first and last entry in her work book in 2018 — "National School of Beauty". It is unknown what the woman did there, but the work was contract-based. By that time, her daughter had already been studying at this school for several years. Thanks to her daughter's successes, Diana started her own business.
In 2025, the woman created the clothing brand "Kiaali". Aliya Karotkaya participated in the "Miss Belarus" contest wearing its dresses. The advertising proved successful: within a few months, Diana Karotkaya presented her works at fashion shows in Minsk. Her daughter performed as one of the models. Aliya later appeared in her mother's outfits at events organized by Lukashenka. She also went to "Miss BRICS" wearing the "Kiaali" brand. This international platform could have become a showcase for the state light industry, of which Belarus is so proud, but the opportunity was given to a no-name brand.
On social media, Diana Karotkaya rejoices in her daughter's career successes and supports her in everything. She often accompanies Aliya to beauty pageants and visited the Palace of Independence with her.
Cogs in the System
Aliya Karotkaya is not going to rest on her laurels after her triumph at "Miss BRICS". In an interview with "Pilot FM", she said that she plans to participate in other beauty pageants and wants there to be even more of them in Belarus. According to the girl, this is especially important in the Year of the Belarusian Woman, which Lukashenka declared 2026 to be.
Iryna Sidorskaya commented on similar logic in a conversation with a "Buro" journalist: "These girls are victims of circumstances. They simply don't see any other way out; they see this patriarchal authoritarian system, and they absolutely do not think that they can change anything in it, but rather they think they can only adapt to this system."
Aliya Karotkaya, judging by her interview, is confident that she is doing important work — and therefore teaches others the same. In recent weeks, she has served on the jury of several student beauty pageants. She was invited there as an example for other girls.
"When young girls enter university, they hardly know in advance about this entire structure they will fall into by entering a beauty pageant. They think about advertising contracts; they think that it will make them TV presenters in Belarus. But they do not think that it will make them Lukashenka's concubines or creators of his image. And in this regard, I would absolutely not blame them. Because in this case, they are victims of the regime. A girl who wins the "Miss Belarus" contest may only learn about the special "privileges" granted to her after this victory. She simply won't be able to refuse them. Not anymore," noted Marina Mentusova.
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