Belarusian Volunteer Eduard Lobau Buried In Warsaw

People bid farewell to the hero under white-red-white flags.

Belarusian volunteer Eduard Lobau, who died in the battles near the Ukrainian Vuhledar, was buried today at the Powązki Military Cemetery (Cmentarz Wojskowy na Powązkach) in Warsaw. A week ago, a farewell ceremony was held for the hero in the St. Alexander Catholic Church.

The funeral was attended by leader of the Razam solidarity movement Viachaslau Siuchyk, head of Free Belarus Zianon Pazniak, editor-in-chief of the Charter97.org website Natallia Radzina, president of the International Solidarity Foundation Rafał Dzięciołowski, Polish ambassador to Belarus Artur Michalski, activists of the Belarusian and Ukrainian diasporas in Warsaw. Priest Viachaslau Barok, the pastor of Belarusian Catholics in the Polish capital, conducted the memorial service.

Eduard Lobau’s mother Maryna thanked the audience and shared her memories of her son:

— He was very positive, made plans for life. Ed hoped to the last that he would see the victory of Ukraine in the war. He wanted to live, but Russian invaders came to the Ukrainian land and took his life.

Svitlana Stasyuk, the widow of the Eduard Lobau’s deceased Ukrainian friend, spoke at the funeral:

Eduard was a friend of our family. He was our friend and remembered as a conscientious and kind person. A hero who defended not only Belarus, but also Ukraine. He is the person to look up to. It is a pity that Eduard lived so little. I want to thank him on behalf of all Ukrainians who are fighting every day for a peaceful sky over their heads. For us not hearing the sound of sirens and seeing the end of this damned war, which takes not only warriors, but also civilians. I want to thank Eduard's family and friends for how much he has done for Ukraine. Respect for your son. Heroes don't die!

In his speech, Polish Ambassador to Belarus Artur Michalski noted that Eduard Lobau is a hero of three nations — Polish, Belarusian and Ukrainian:

The cause of freedom is our common cause. The fight against Russian imperialism is our historical destiny and, unfortunately, today's reality.

The Powązki Military Cemetery is a place where we Poles used to come and salute those who defended our Fatherland. This is a suitable place where the hero of Belarus, fighting for freedom, can rest. I deeply believe that your beloved Motherland, Eduard, will be free.

Free Belarus leader Zianon Pazniak recalled how a Belarusian volunteer died:

— It is known that during the battle he covered his commander. The Lord said that great respect is given to those who laid down their lives for their friends. That's what Eduard Lobau did.

On this sad day, we say goodbye to our warrior, but we will not cry. Men must understand that Russian Mordor must be defeated. All our strength, energy, intelligence must be directed to ensure that this war ends and Ukraine wins. We will give it all for our victory, and will remember those who died for us and our future.

A close friend of Eduard Lobau, Young Front member Andrei Tsianiuta, called for the distribution of a petition launched by the commander of the deceased volunteer. Ukrainian officer Ivan Zavershinskiy calls for Eduard Lobau to be awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. The corresponding petition was created on the website of the President of Ukraine.

Leader of the Razam solidarity movement Viachaslau Siuchyk recalled the events of the Square-2010, when Eduard Lobau was detained by the security forces:

“Crimes that were committed against Belarusians cannot have a statute of limitations. The criminals who captured and held Eduard for four years will have to pay for that. Everyone must hear this, evil must be punished.

A representative of the Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church also spoke at the funeral. He read out the list of Belarusians who died in the war fighting for Ukraine.

In his final speech, priest Viachaslau Barok called on Belarusians not to compromise with evil, but to continue fighting for freedom, as Eduard Lobau did.

Reference

Belarusian volunteer Eduard Lobau died on February 26 defending Vuhledar. He served in the 72nd separate mechanized brigade, participated in the liberation of the Kyiv region and Chernobyl from Russian invaders.

Eduard Lobau is a former political prisoner. He was detained on December 18, 2010, together with the Young Front leader Zmitser Dashkevich, and then illegally sentenced to four years in a reinforced-security penal colony. Eduard served his time in full in the colony called “the Wolf Holes”.

Eduard Lobau has been fighting in Ukraine since 2015.

In 2014, the Charter97.org website announced him as a laureate of the Viktar Ivashkevich National Human Rights Award.