Belarusians fight for Ukraine's sovereignty; say it will help resist 'dictator' Lukashenko

Belarusians were one of first responders to Ukrainian President’s calls for foreign fighters when Russia began its offensive in February. Stuck amidst a political crisis mselves, y were united by belief that battling for Kyiv’s sovereignty could help m resist ‘dictator’ President Alexander Lukashenko.

Last year, Lukashenko was elected as country’s president in a vote that was deemed rigged and triggered widespre protests. 

(Im: AP)

Early in conflict, Russia used Belarusian territories to launch offensives and assaults against Ukraine. Lukashenko also stood by his ally, for which Putin rewarded him by bankrolling millions of dollars in loans and cheap energy. Interestingly, Lukashenko while speaking of Putin referred to him as his ‘big bror'

Poland is base for battle

For many of Belarusians, ir base is in Poland, a country on NATO's eastern flank that borders Belarus and Ukraine, as reported by VOA. Many are alrey present in country while ors are using it for a brief halt before y plunge into Ukrainian war. Poland h long been a haven for pro-democracy Belarusian dissidents before becoming a prime refugee centre for seeing Ukrainians.

"We understand that it's a long journey to free Belarus and journey starts in Ukraine," Vim Prokopiev, a 50-year-old who used to run restaurants in Minsk told Associated Press. He fled country after a rumour spre that he would be arrested for saying publicly that government wasn't doing eugh for small businesses.

"When Ukraine war will be eventually over, our war will just start. It is impossible to free country of Belarus without driving Putin's fascist troops out of Ukraine," he ded.

Prokopiev hes a unit called "Pahonia" that has been training recruits. 

(Im: AP)

"If Putin is defeated, Lukashenko will be defeated," Pavel Kukhta, ar Belarusian fighter who has alrey fought in Donbass in 2014, was quoted by Associated Press as saying. Kukhta said his half bror, Nikita Krivtsov, was found de by hanging in a wooded area outside Minsk in 2020. While authorities, denied any involvement, he believes that his bror was killed for joining anti-Lukashenko protests. 

(Im: AP)

(With inputs from AP)