No Belarusian should die for Putin’s ambitions, Łukašenka’s mistakes – opposition leader

September 21, BPN. Not a single Belarusian should die for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambitions and Alaksandr Łukašenka’s mistakes, Sviatłana Cichanoŭskaja commented on Russia’s partial mobilization announced on September 21.

The Belarusian opposition leader urged the military not to follow criminal orders and avoid mobilization should the Belarusian authorities announce it as well.

“People will be sent to die for nothing, regardless of their age, profession, or military service record,” the politician said, noting that mobilization was called partial “just for a show.” She stressed that the major problem for Belarus would be “whether the two dictators will be able drag Belarusians into this bloodbath.”

The politician said that neither Belarusian army nor Belarusian society supported the war against Ukraine. “Łukašenka has repeatedly gone against the will of the people, but if he sends Belarusians to die in the war, it’s like entering the house of every Belarusian family and killing fathers or sons with his own hands,” she said.

Cichanoŭskaja added that “Łukašenka has already surrendered part of the Belarusian sovereignty” and cannot protect Belarusians from the war.

On February 24, Russia started a full-scale war against Ukraine. Authorities in Minsk deny Belarusian army troops’ involvement in combat operations on the Russian side. However, Belarus allowed Russian troops and weapons to move freely through the country, use its airspace, refuel and store military equipment and attack Ukraine from its territory.

A 20,000-strong grouping of Russian forces crossed into Ukraine from Belarus at the outset of the war, Alaksandr Łukašenka told AFP in an interview on July 21. Russian troops retreated from northern Ukraine later.

On September 21, Putin has announced a “partial mobilization.” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that 300,000 people would be called up from the reserve. The announcement came shortly after Ukrainian troops retook areas previously occupied by Russia in the east of Ukraine.