Paul
Goble
Staunton, July 28 – In part because
they can get news not just from Moscow but from Ukraine and in part because
they have close ties to both Russians and Ukrainians, Belarusians are now
deeply split between those who back Russian policy in Ukraine and those who
support the Ukrainian government.
As important as this is as a
barometer of Belarusian reaction to these events and to what can happen when
there are multiple sources of information, this division may be even more
important as a bellwether of the rise of a strengthened Belarusian nationalism
among the people of that country.
On the Russian military affairs
portal, Topwar.ru, today, Mikhail Moshchensky puts it bluntly. Belarusian society, he says, “has split into
two camps,” one supporting the Russian forces in southeastern Ukraine and the other
backing Kyiv in its efforts to restore Ukrainian control (topwar.ru/55074-ukrainskiy-raskol-v-belarusi.html).
And the Russian military commentator
adds that “for a long time, it has been thought that the issue of nationalism
in Belarus is something from the realm of the fantastic. But the war in a
neighboring fraternal country has been able completely to split Belarusian
society” and spark real nationalism among many of its members.
This split is dividing families as
well as the society, Moschchensky says, and it reflects the fact that although “the
overwhelming majority” of Belarusians get their news from Moscow television,
many in southern Belarus listen to Ukrainian channels. Moreover, there are “thousands
of Ukrainians who live and have assimilated” in that country.
The official Belarusian media are
not helping the situation, he continues. “The Belarusian Republic television
channels never (!) praise Russia. True, they do not curse it either,” except
during the so-called “gas wars.” And
with regard to Ukraine, Mensk simply reports what is happening rather than
giving “any analysis.”
As a result, Belarusians are divided
and not only in their opinions. Some Belarusians are going to fight in Ukraine
for Kyiv, while others are going to fight for pro-Russian forces. Anti-Moscow
Belarusians and anti-Moscow Ukrainians are currently training in rural areas of
Belarus, Moshchensky says.
No one knows the exact figures
involved, he continues, noting that those with a Belarusian passport could fall
afoul of that country’s law on mercenaries which imposes a three year prison
term for those who fight for foreign countries.
According to Moshchensky, the Belarusian KGB would be happy to apply
this law equally to both groups.
What appears to have sparked this
article is the appearance of leaflets in Belarus calling on Belarusians to
support Ukraine and to prepare themselves for the possibility that Moscow will
turn its attention to Belarus next.
Moshchensky provides a photo of the leaflet and a translation into
Russian of what it says.
Written by Zyanon Paznyak, a
Belarusian opposition figure who has political asylum in the United States, the
leaflets are entitled “For Ukraine and Belarus.” They say that Belarusians “do not have to be
afraid of an imperial threat from Moscow.” Rather they must prepare themselves “to
defeat the fascism” it now represents.
Belarusians must understand, Paznyak
continues, that “the Russian-Ukrainian war is also our war” because “there is
being decided the future not only of free Ukraine but also of Free Belarus.” If
“the Putin fascists” defeat Ukraine,
then, “when they will attack Bealrus, there will be no one to help us.”
“Therefore,” he says, “help
Ukraine. I call on Belarusian men who
can bear arms to go as volunteers to Ukraine and join the detachments of the
Ukrainian resistance to the occupiers.” That will benefit Ukrainians and will
give Belarusians important “military experience in the struggle with fascism.”
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