Who are the Belarusian Volunteers in Ukraine? | 5 Minute History Episode 18

Belarus is a country bordering both Ukraine and Russia, though its leader, Aleksander Lukashenko is a staunch supporter of Vladimir Putin, and has allowed Russian forces and artillery to operate inside his country as part of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine starting in February of 2022. His dictatorial rule was challenged following a rigged election in 2020, the protests being heavily cracked down upon and creating a determined opposition movement that seeks to overthrow Lukashenko. Some of these individuals have crossed over into Ukraine to fight alongside Ukrainian Armed Forces against the Russian invasion. So in this video, who are the Belarusians serving in Ukraine, what are their motivations, how many are there, and might they receive their own foreign legion as is the case for the Georgians and Chechens who have come over in the past?

UN Refugee Agency:

Unicef:

Music Used:
Loopster - Kevin MacLeod

#Ukraine #Russia #Belarus

[historywithhilbert]

Hi everyone - I'm currently on holiday so can't edit the video to update it as I made it last week so I'll just pop some quick updates below for those interested:

-The Ukrainian Armed Forces have now announced the creation of a special Belarussian Unit called the Kastuś Kalinoŭski Battalion.
-They number over 200 soldiers and believed to be deployed in the region of Kyiv and has received endorsement from the Belarussian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya while Belarussian President Aleksander Lukashenko has criticised the volunteers as 'crazed citizens.'

[darktip]

As Ukrainian I wish my best to Belarusian people. Thanks for the support, our brothers

[glebmanolov]

Belarusians have a special place in the hearts of Ukrainians. During the maidan protests of 2014 they were some of the most vocal supporters on the ground are even amongst those who were killed by the then autocratic police. They warned and stopped Ukraine from going down the same path that their own country sadly was in. Hopefully Belarus will be free again!

[expandedhistory]

Can we just all appreciate how Hilbert has been non stop with these up to date quality videos in regards to this conflict? As a History content creator myself, that takes a lot of work.

[nikitosha]

I’m from Belarus. Thank you so much for making this video and showing the English-speaking world that we Belarusians are fighting in defense of freedom and liberty. Freedom for Ukraine and for Belarus! 🇺🇦🤍❤️🤍

[Symon_Musician]

As a Belarussian I have to declare that everything, which is mentioned in this video, is true.

Belarussian volunteers are fighting for freedom for Ukraine and Belarus and 3 of them have already payed the utmost price...

[kgcmqdk]

The world needs to see more of belarussian volunteers fighting for Ukraine, as it would decrease stigma against the whole people of Belarus. I admit that it is our fault too that we weren't brave enough to topple our own dictator, thus by his proxy allowing our country to be used as a staging ground for this invasion. Many of us sincerely hope for Ukraine's victory, but are deeply ashamed of our inaction and can only hope that Ukrainians find it in their heart to forgive us. Glory to Ukraine!

[ИгорьС-бб]

There is already Belarusian legion in Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces - Kastuś Kalinoŭski Battalion

[napoleonibonaparte]

One day, Belarus and Ukraine can enjoy the sun under the European stars together.

[Historian]

God bless you all, Belarussian freedom fighters !

[comradeghost]

The legendary Belarussian warriors ⚪🔴⚪

[sambasedsamurai]

They are heroes, that's who they are, true brothers and sisters of Ukrainian people, they understand that by fighting for Ukraine they fight for the freedom of Belarus as well.

[frilom]

There are also common chchen units which are fighting against Russia. There are currently 2 batalions and it is battalion of sejk Mnasur and battalion of Dzochar Dudajev. What I have noticed is that the most of fighters are people of ethnic goups or nations which russia somehow oppressed.

[PakBallandSami]

love you hilbert your coverage of this war is great

[PakBallandSami]

“If Ukraine should fail, and I hope that will not happen, Lukashenka’s line to the Kremlin will feel much stronger and our fight will be very difficult. But when Ukraine wins it will be much easier for people in Belarus to realize that we can change a lot in our country and we will have this window of opportunity, ” Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya recently told The Independent.

Likewise, Sergei Bespalov, a former dissident journalist from Minsk who went into exile in Kyiv and joined the Kalinouski Battalion, told The New York Times: “We have a common enemy, Putin and Lukashenka. These are the two people who unleashed this war. If Kyiv falls, it will be bad for everyone, including Belarus.”

[jordanjay]

The Belarusian flag has the most Christmas spirit

[Jobe-]

Gotta love the complexity and nuance of war.

[christianweibrecht]

I'm impressed that these people manage to sneak into Poland, prove that they have good intentions, deal with the consequences directly defying their own tyrannical government

[dudeboydudeboy-zjkd]

if putin is the hitler, and xi is the tojo, then that means lukashenko is the mussolini and we all know what happened him after the italian resistance movement got him.

[theyearslatenewsletter]

Thanks for keeping us up-to-date! I'm watching your ads in full to help you keep creating good stuff for us. 😃