Belarusians Celebrate Hero Day

Today is 95 years from the beginning of Slutsk Uprising.

On November 27, 1920 the first encounters between Belarusian and Soviet forces began. Belarusian patriots celebrate the Hero Day.

Discontinuation of war between Soviet Russia and Poland made it possible to resume a fight for independence of Belarus. Local authorities were formed in the territories abandoned by the Polish army, and not occupied by the Bolsheviks. Slutsk Rada was established in November 1920. It proclaimed the restoration of the authority of the Belarusian People's Republic on the territory of the district. Rada decided to form up military units among locals. Two regiments – Slutski under command of Pavel Chaika (later Akhrem Haurylavich followed him) – and Grozovoj under Captain Luka Semianyuk were established. They formed the Slutsk brigade. Anton Sokal-Kutylouski carried out an overall command of troops.

Encounters between units, formed mostly of peasants, and the Bolsheviks continued for more than a month. Belarusian units of Army of General Stanislau Bulak-Bulakhovich - Bialystok battalion and Smolensk regiment, as well as the partisan units of "Green Oak" joined regiments formed by Rada.

First, Belarusians managed to deter opponent forces and launch a counterattack. The Slutsk brigade made some successful attacks near Kapyl, Tsimkavichy. The Omsk division of the Red Army fought the Belarusian forces. The Bolsheviks were forced to retreat along all 100 km front (Kopyl-Tsimkavichy-Vyzna). Belarusian units had a good support among the locals, but they lacked arms and equipment. There were fights near villages Bystrytsy, Vasilchytsy, Vierabejchycy, Dashkava, Vasilishki, Lutavichy, Morach. The Slutsk brigade managed to occupy several villages.

It launched an anti-bolshevik movement. More and more people joined the army of peasants.

Therefore, Moscow decided to bring in additional units consisting of Buryats and Chinese to combat the Belarusian units. In late December of 1920 rebels had to retreat to Polish territory where they were disarmed by Polish border guards.

Slutsk Uprising became an example to many inhabitants of the country. Belarusians continued anti-Bolshevik partisan movement even when the Red Army occupied the territory of Slutsk district.