Mahiliou Resident Proposed To Create "Masheka" Volunteer Battalion To Protect From RF

Human rights activist from Mahiliou Valadar Tsurpanau believes that it’s high time to create volunteer battalions.

Mahiliou activist Valadar Tsurpanau proposed to create a battalion of volunteers "Masheka" and to announce admission in it. According to the activist, Russia threatens the territorial integrity of Belarus. This threat encourages taking preventive measures of protection, Radio Svaboda reports.

Tsurpanau requests to include him in the "Masheka" volunteer battalion and appoint acting commander or chief of the staff.

"There is every reason to create volunteer battalions, – the human rights activist says. – So I decided to help to protect the country's sovereignty."

According to Valadar, the events in Ukraine, the observation and analysis of the situation, as well the analysis of scenarios on the possible annexation of Belarus by Russia, leave no doubt about the intentions of the neighboring country:

"In addition to the official line, there is a need to awake the people. If such activities work up the appropriate pressure, publicity, it will be a sufficient signal to our potential enemy, that Crimea-2 is not going to happen," – the human rights activist said.

The activist sent an appeal with his initiative to the head of the Mahiliou district administration, but the latter responded that such matters were not within his competence. Now Valadar is waiting for a reply from city executive committee head Uladzimir Tsumarou or executive committee chairman Uladzimir Damaneuski.

Meanwhile, territorial defense training has been stepped up in Belarus. Reservists are mobilized for military training. Those, who have faced calling up for military service, say that reservists, who have not been called on for the last few years, are mobilized for military training now.

We remind that on December 14, 2016, the BNC Military Commission applied to the Ministry of Defence of Belarus with the program to strengthen the defense capacity of Belarus, consisting of 8 points. After the failure of the Minister of Defence Andrei Raukou to cooperate with Belarusian patriots in this direction, Mikalai Statkevich stated that further on the BNC Military Commission would deal with the issues of the country’s protection against aggression from all the directions.

In late January, the Military Commission of the Belarusian National Congress started to create regional military commissions in all the regions of Belarus.