{"id":206597,"date":"2026-10-07T23:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T20:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/206597\/"},"modified":"2026-10-08T01:09:46","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T22:09:46","slug":"belarusian-volunteers-in-ukraine-set-up-drone-unit","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/206597\/","title":{"rendered":"Belarusian volunteers in Ukraine set up drone unit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (pixabay.com)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

October 7, Pozirk<\/em>.<\/strong> A Belarusian volunteer drone unit has been established within Ukraine\u2019s Armed Forces, Yaroslav Chornohor, the Ukrainian foreign ministry\u2019s special envoy for relations with Belarusian pro-democracy forces, told Pozirk<\/em>, confirming an earlier report by Zerkalo<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a message on Telegram, Vadzim Kaban\u010duk, defense chief in the opposition United Transitional Cabinet, described the formation of the unit, called Vola (Freedom), as a step toward forming a \u201cseparate component of the future Armed Forces of Belarus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kaban\u010duk stressed that Vola is being built \u201cnot as another infantry unit, but as a force adapted to the new type of war that is now being fought in Ukraine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kaban\u010duk welcomed the fact Belarusians have been cleared for leadership roles in Vola in an exception from Ukraine\u2019s a ban on Belarusians in commissioned officer and sergeant positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experienced Belarusian fighters will form the backbone of the group, Kaban\u010duk said. Drones allow a trained crew to perform reconnaissance, correction and strike missions without involving the entire company or battalion, he noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an interview with Zerkalo<\/em>, acting commander Mikita Zabuha described Vola as an \u201celite unit\u201d that would utilize strike drones and air\u2011defense assets for deep and medium\u2011range strikes and for air defense, functioning as a component of the 447th Separate Battalion of Ukraine\u2019s Navy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zabuha would not disclose Vola\u2019s size but stressed that the unit is already operating. He said that all those willing to join it would undergo rigorous screening, including polygraph tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several Belarusian units are fighting for Ukraine, from the Kastu\u015b Kalino\u016dski Regiment to smaller groups integrated into the Ukrainian army. Dozens of their members have been killed since February 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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