Belarusian Volunteer In Ukraine: Our Guys Downed Helicopter At Night

The Belarusians are defending Kyiv.

Belarusian volunteer in Ukraine Vasil Parfiankou has said in a short video message that “our guys downed a helicopter at night”.

In Ukraine, Belarusians are fighting within separate Ukrainian military formations, and are also creating their own unit — so far, this is a company, but they plan a battalion in the future.

“Good morning, Ukraine! This is another frosty morning. It has been calm so far, our guys downed a helicopter at night. It makes me sad to read the posts of some people, who believe that “Belarusians are traitors, they are dead to us”. We are not dead. We are here. We are defending Kyiv. Glory to Ukraine! Long Live Belarus! Together — to victory!” He said.

Parfiankou is 38 years old. He is a former Belarusian political prisoner. In 2014, he left for Ukraine, took part in the battles in the Donbas on the side of the Ukrainian troops as part of a volunteer battalion, and was wounded. In 2022, he fights again. In the video, he proudly displays the Pahonia coat-of-arms on his uniform.

Vasil Parfiankou is a laureate of the Viktar Ivashkevich National Human Rights Award in the Personal Courage nomination, which is presented by Charter97.org.