Commander optimistic amid split, uncertainty over Kalinoŭski Regiment’s future
July 24, Pozirk. Recent reforms in the Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment, a Belarusian volunteer unit fighting alongside Ukrainian troops, should improve combat capability and ensure financial transparency, acting commander Pavieł Šurmiej said on YouTube.
The reforms would help recruit more volunteers and raise donations, he said in an interview broadcast by the YouTube channel of the Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate.
“We want to improve recruiting so that there will be even more Belarusians . . . with combat experience and these people can instruct even more people at the right moment,” he noted.
Being a part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the regiment’s fighters are paid a monthly salary equivalent to $1,700, Šurmiej said.
While the Ukrainian army provides materiel, volunteers can contribute, he added, noting that donations have recently financed the purchase of state-of-the-art large-caliber machine gun sights, optical sights and laser aiming devices, which could not be found in Ukraine.
The regiment seems to face a split as Šurmiej’s predecessor Dzianis Procharaŭ has recently announced the establishment of the Kalinoŭcy public movement, with a briefing for journalists coming up later today.
His associates include deputy commander Vadzim Kabančuk, regiment’s political wing representative Dźmitryj Ščyhielski and Ihar Turcevič of the Belarusian Drone project.
Former Olympian Šurmiej was appointed acting commander in early July, while the reorganization has been reportedly under way since April.
Also read: Former rower becomes Kalinoŭski regiment’s acting commander
- Security
Lithuanian lawyer convicted of spying for Belarus
- Economy
Rubel down 0.94 percent against US dollar at BCSE this week
- EconomyBiełstat: Belarusian companies’ CapEx up 4.4 percent in January-AugustThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
Belarusian tank crews to be drilled in Russia for one month
- PoliticsOpposition politician says Łukašenka responsible for forced transfers of 3,500 Ukrainian kidsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsUS diplomat condemns Belarus 1 broadcast featuring jailed US lawyerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityIllegal Belarus-EU crossings up 40 percent in SeptemberThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: at least 17 arrested during raids in Viciebsk, Brest regionsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
Belarus: jailed US lawyer asks for pardon, reaches out to Harris and Trump
- PoliticsUN rights council to discuss Belarus on September 23The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
Pinsk court to try journalist for protesting
- Politics
Belarusian bishop asks Pope Francis about regional peace
- SocietyInternational fund raises nearly €1.3 million for Belarus’ political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCoE platform calls on Georgia to reconsider entry ban for Belarusian journalistThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyArrests in Hłybokaje, StolinThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsPolitical prisoner Załatar released – ViasnaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition politician grateful to EP for resolution on BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMEPs urge EU to step up sanctions on MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
Łukašenka meets with Donetsk separatist leader
- PoliticsŁukašenka says Minsk has “own standards” for presidential electionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
Rubel slides against US dollar, yuan at BCSE
- Politics
Cichanoŭskaja nominates new social security chief
- Politics
Opposition leader: white-red-white flag to fly over Belarus again
- PoliticsReprisals: teachers in focus over links to blacklisted education projectThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMEPs discuss resolution on Belarus' political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyLatvian national Asars arrested for drug smuggling – customs committeeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsHuman rights defenders label 7 as political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsNames of all 37 recently pardoned prisoners knownThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁatuška receives solidarity prize in WarsawThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
Yandex Music takes down Tor Band songs