Western perceptions of Belarus remain clouded in uncertainty, despite its connections to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Understanding the hopes of Belarusian society will prove pivotal to properly engaging with the country when the conflict eventually comes to an end, Viktar Baranau writes for the New Eastern Europe magazine, partners of LRT English.
Alaksandar Klacko recalls the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion without any romanticism. For him, the war began the moment he realised that missiles striking Ukrainian cities were being launched from the territory of his own country. Soon afterwards, he joined the Belarusian volunteers of the Kalinouski Regiment fighting on Ukraine’s side. He was later wounded and now lives in Lithuania.
“We understood that we were defending not only Ukraine. We were defending the future of Belarus as well,” he says.
His story captures the contradiction that has shaped Belarus since February 2022. On one hand, Belarus became a crucial rear base for Russia’s invasion: Russian troops attacked Kyiv from its territory, Belarusian infrastructure supports Russian logistics, military equipment is repaired there, and Russian soldiers receive treatment in Belarusian hospitals.
