Kalinouski Regiment Fighter ‘Dziadzka’: We Are Masters Of Our Future

A Belarusian volunteer for the Armed Forces of Ukraine told how to change the government in Belarus.

The presidential elections in Belarus in 2020 influenced people who had a clear position and did not want to live by the principle of “not my piece of cake”, so most of them left the country and did not support the government. When the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation began in 2022, many Belarusians joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, because they believe that they are fighting for the sake of victory over Russia and the liberation of Belarus, said Belarusian Pavel “Dziadzka” Shurmey, who serves in the Kastus Kalinouski Belarusian Volunteer Regiment, in an interview with Ukrayinska Pravda.

“After the presidential elections in Belarus in 2020, the people mistakenly decided that the situation in the country could be changed through peaceful protest. People hoped that they would show the whole world and Lukashenka that the majority did not support him. But a person must understand that nothing will be given to you just like that, “for free”. You must realize that you will have to take a very difficult step. It may cost you your freedom, health, life, but without this, nothing will happen. Ukraine is living in such a state. I don’t know, Belarusians have already realized that, unfortunately, it will not be possible to change the government without bloodshed,” the military man noted.

“Dziadzka” also noted that Belarusians need to understand that with the principles of “It’s not my piece of cake,” “I don’t decide anything,” everything will really be decided for them, and they will not be given the right to vote. According to him, there are a lot of volunteers in his regiment whose eyes were opened to the situation in Belarus and the influence of the Russian Federation on it in 2020. Then many of them left their country and joined the Ukrainian army.

He emphasized that if you think about why you should go to fight for your neighbor, you must first realize that after your neighbor, they will come to your house. The soldier also gave an example of a quote from the old UPA anthem: “For crying has never given freedom to anyone, but he who is a fighter gains peace”, and said that it was sports that taught him to fight (in the past, he is a rower and a participant in two Olympics — UNIAN). “Dziadzka” noted that if you lose, it happened only because your opponent trained more and better and was stronger than you. Accordingly, we should also work more and remember the simple truth that everything depends on us.

“Belarusians must understand that our future depends on us. We should not sit and wait for Ukraine, Europe or America to decide our fate. We ourselves are the masters of our future. Only those who fight get helped. After the victory, Ukraine will want to talk to Belarusians whom it can trust. You can trust most those who shed their blood for Ukraine,” Shurmey summed up.

He also emphasized that Belarusians are fighting not to merely fight, but for the sake of victory and the liberation of their country. And the Kalinouski Regiment is the future foundation of the security forces and political elite of a free Belarus, the military man believes.

You can support the website Charter97.org

MULTI-CURRENCY ACCOUNT FOR ASSISTANCE:

Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims

You can contact us by the e-mail charter97@gmail.com