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Belarusian regiment fighting against Russia in Ukraine 

2023-01-08 20:11:33Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA MYROSLAVA GONGADZE
Belarusian regiment fighting against Russia in Ukraine 
Belarusian regiment fighting against Russia in Ukraine 

Recent Russian-Belarusian military exercises have raised fears of a second attack against Ukraine from the north. While Ukrainians see Belarus as an aggressor country, some observers and members of the Belarusian opposition say not all Belarusians are on Russia's side. Some Belarusians have even decided to prove their loyalty to Ukraine by joining its army. Voice of America correspondent Myroslava Gongadze met some members of the Belarusian regiment before their departure to the front lines.

Belarusians are one of the most prominent contingents of foreign fighters in Ukraine.

Belarusian volunteers, opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko's regime, have been fighting alongside Ukrainian forces since 2014.

After Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, hundreds of Belarusians decided to join the fight and formed what is known as the 'Kastus Kalinouski' regiment.

Named after a Belarusian writer and revolutionary who launched an uprising against the Russian Empire in 1863, the volunteer regiment consists of several hundred fighters.

Most members of the regiment use pseudonyms for fear of reprisals against their family members. The group's leaders believe their role is to help Ukraine in its struggle for freedom.

"Belarusians who think that Ukraine is suffering, come and fight. By their actions they show that Ukraine needs help, here and now. The guys who join our regiment believe that Ukraine should be free from Putin's aggression and that Belarus should be free from Putin's and Lukashenko's aggression. Therefore, I believe that this is the base of the new Belarusian army", says the regiment commander.

Denys "Kit", who was part of the Ukrainian Azov Battalion from 2015 to 2016, said that by standing with Ukrainians, they are not only helping Ukraine, but also fighting for the freedom of their country, which although independent, is a close ally of Russia.

"Belarus is occupied. Our culture and language have been destroyed. Our unit is trying to rebuild them. The main thing we want to show is that there are many real Belarusians. They are here to help. There are many like us in Belarus, but they are oppressed by the regime," added the regiment commander.

The members of this military unit understand their role.

"The Russian Federation, Putin and his servant, Lukashenko, stole our country and our independence," says Mireck, a member of the regiment.

The soldier speaks from experience. He served in the forces of the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs until the protests of 2020. After the bloody suppression of the protests, he decided to no longer serve the Lukashenko government. Now he is part of the 'Kalinovsky' regiment, preparing for the battlefield.

The members of the regiment are trained by the Lithuanian military expert known by the nickname "Ziggy".

He says he is here to avenge the suffering the Russians caused his family.

"My grandparents were sent to the Siberian Gulag. Today I have a chance to take revenge. This is the fight for my family and neighbors. If not now, this war may come to our doors later. Now we have the chance to stop Putin", he said.

Many fighters of the regiment believe that the victory of Ukraine would lead to a Belarus free from Russian influence.

Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, told VOA that the Ukrainian government appreciates and supports the contribution of foreign fighters.

"I am grateful to the Georgians, Moldovans and Belarusians who are fighting on our territory. Conscientious citizens of all countries currently occupied by the Russian Federation help us in this fight. They know that they are choosing not only our freedom, but also theirs," he says.

With the end of the war, he adds, all countries will be completely freed from Russian influence and will finally become part of what they belong to, Europe./ VOA


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