>> reporter: reality was the war deepened lukashenko's already growing dependence on putin. lukashenko's flawed 2020 election victory claiming 80% of the vote described by western governments as fraudulent triggered nationwide protests. "get out" they shouted. he responded with force. the woman who ran against him, whose husband lukashenko had already jailed fled the country. >> thousands of people are in prisons for politically motivated cases. hundreds of thousands had to flee belarus because of repressions. and one day we can wake up and see the consolation prize for putin. >> reporter: the price escalated. lukashenko called on putin for help, was bailed out, but at a cost. most recently, putin tightening his grip, pledging to station