Ukraine calls for an end to the recruitment of Belarusians into the Russian military
According to estimates by Ukrainian diplomats, about 3,000 Belarusian citizens are currently fighting as part of Russian forces against Ukraine, and this number continues to grow. Ukraine views this as an alarming trend, which it is trying to curb through public outreach and support for the Belarusian opposition.
The participation of Belarusian citizens in the war on Russia’s side against Ukraine is increasing, and, according to Ukrainian estimates, there are now about 3,000 such fighters. Ukrainian officials describe this as a dangerous trend that requires a systematic response not only on the battlefield but also in the information sphere.
This was stated by Yaroslav Chornogor, Ambassador-at-Large for Democratic Transformations and Engagement with National Movements in Unfriendly Countries, during a press conference dedicated to the security situation in the region. He emphasized that the number of Belarusians joining Russian forces is increasing, and the methods used to recruit them are also changing. “This is a very negative trend that must be stopped,” said Chornogor, stressing that one of the key tools for countering this should be working with independent Belarusian media and information channels.
According to him, just a few years ago, calls to participate in the war appeared sporadically, but the situation has changed recently: dozens of channels and communities regularly appear online that directly or indirectly seek people willing to join the Russian armed forces.
Chornogor also stated that the “I Want to Live” program, which helps Russian soldiers return to civilian life, should be expanded to include Belarusian citizens, since some of them, he said, may not fully realize where they are ending up. “They don’t always consciously join the Russian army, and then they face reality; some end up in our captivity,” he noted.
Colonel Ruslan Miroshnychenko, a military analyst who previously led Ukraine’s 2nd International Defense Legion and goes by the call sign “Santa,” also commented on the situation. He stated that alongside the participation of Belarusians on Russia’s side, there is also a volunteer movement in support of Ukraine.
According to him, Belarusian official sources estimate that up to 15,000 Belarusian citizens may be fighting on Ukraine’s side, although there have also been confirmed casualties among them. “About 90 Belarusian citizens who fought on Ukraine’s side have been killed, and even more have been wounded. All these people need our care and support,” Miroshnychenko said.
He emphasized that Ukraine must create better legal and social conditions for foreign volunteers to encourage their participation on its side and ensure an adequate level of support for those already fighting. He also mentioned Bill No. 15015, which, according to him, is intended to grant foreign veterans the same rights as Ukrainian citizens in terms of social and medical benefits.
Separately, during the event, it was noted that Ukrainian diplomacy continues to work with the Belarusian opposition and independent organizations, seeking to influence the information environment and reduce the scale of recruitment into Russian forces. This was reported on Thursday by Yaroslav Chornogor, Ukraine’s Ambassador-at-Large for Democratic Transformations, Cooperation with Democratic Forces, and National Movements in Unfriendly Countries.
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