Opposition leader honors fallen Belarusian volunteers who fought Russia in Ukraine

June 11, BPN. Belarusian opposition leader Śviatlana Cichanoŭskaja presented the Honor and Dignity medals to the families of five Belarusians who lost their lives fighting Russia in Ukraine, her press office reported.

The ceremony took place on June 9 in Vilnius at an exhibition honoring Belarusians who defended Ukraine since 2013.

Cichanoŭskaja handed over the medals to the family members of Mirasłaŭ Lazoŭski, Vasil Parfiankoŭ, Ivan Marčuk, Dźmitryj Rubašeŭski and Pavieł Susłaŭ.

“Ukraine fights for the right of its people to decide their own fate,” she said. “Belarusians are also fighting for this right for Ukraine and Belarus. These brave people defend not only Ukraine and Belarus, they also defend the honor and dignity of our nation.”

Some 30 Belarusians have died in combat defending Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine in February 2022.

The opposition’s transition cabinet established the Honor and Dignity medal in February to reward service to Belarus shown in an “exceptional manner.”