Credo Of Belarusian Partisans In 21st Century

The events taking place in Belarus will go down in the history textbook.

Since the moment of Russia's attack on Ukraine, the entire population of the globe had to recall, and some learned military terms for the first time. There are simply no people who are indifferent to the atrocities that the Russian fascists are doing in foreign territories. Therefore, everyone was forced to hear or read the words that they did not encounter in everyday life.

One of these was the word "partisans". Especially often it can be heard about the Belarusians, who started a rail war against the Russian army. But few people present a portrait of a modern person who can bear this proud title. I often hear associations that these are small armed groups of people who hide in the forest and organize sabotage. Obviously, many have memorized this concept since the Second World War. But the informal nature of partisan detachments, as a rule, is due to the fact that their goal is to fight against the existing power in the country: be it a dictatorial regime or occupation.

The portrait of a modern partisan is different. In the 21st century, you will not recognize him among other people. He also, like everyone else, goes to work, makes purchases in the store, sometimes meets with friends on weekends. This is, in principle, the average Belarusian.

Modern Belarusian partisans appeared on the territory of our country long before the start of hostilities in Ukraine. There are numerous confirmations of this. Lukashenka was kept in power throughout the entire time only by force, thus establishing a dictatorship regime. Back in the late 90s, Belarusians responded to this by forming independent cells that constantly fought for the rights and freedoms of all citizens of the country. These are independent trade unions, public organizations, political parties, historical and reading clubs, and independent media. Long before the thousands of protests in all cities, you could see the actions of these partisans: whether it was a sticker with the national Belarusian flag or a procession through the city. I also remember how, after the 2010 elections, various censored books were handed out in Hrodna, and the media published real materials and showed events that the official TV did not notice. The enlightenment of citizens and any actions against the established regime in Belarus can be attributed to a real partisan war of the 21st century.

In 2020, the partisans acted in a completely different way. Then there were no separate formations. The whole of Belarus has become a country of partisans who came out to fight the real occupation. We were not even frightened by the fact that Lukashenka raised the entire power bloc against us. We started organizing strikes, joining the chain of solidarity every day and gathering at the main venues of the country. Telegram chats and channels alone cost a lot to the Lukashists who did not expect to face such modern technologies.

Yes, it is worth recognizing that there are not so many hopes when you go out into the streets with flowers, flags and balloons against an army armed to the teeth. But the fact of the partisan war in Belarus was strongly deposited in our minds. The Belarusians are recalcitrant and, despite the tightening of the regime, they continue the guerrilla struggle — only now also against the Russian occupiers.

In the present conditions that have developed in our country, the partisans are turning to more inventive methods of struggle. Also, as practice has shown, we have more than enough imagination for this. In addition to the anti-war graffiti that appears throughout the country, every day you can see the fight against the fascists on our territory. And there are examples: a taxi driver who refuses to take the invaders; an old lady in the village, who showed the wrong way to the Russian fascists; a postal worker who "accidentally" lost a package that the fascists looted in Ukraine.

Why not partisan warfare? Every Belarusian can be involved. Sellers may not serve Russian soldiers, citing the fact that they have the right not to release goods to persons in a state of intoxication. And as recent months have shown, they have a special addiction to drinking. Even a policeman or traffic cop (if there are still conscientious ones left) who detains a Russian drunken soldier is partly a partisan. We have seen such detentions more than once in the Homel region.

The ongoing events will be included in the history textbook, where there will definitely be a chapter on Belarusian partisans. The rail war launched by our brave activists has already saved many lives. Belarusians must continue this worthy resistance to the Russian army so that our children and grandchildren, studying history, understand that Belarusians, regardless of the circumstances, were on the side of good and freedom. That the desire to save human lives of civilians has become the true creed of the Belarusian partisans of the 21st century.

Glory to Ukraine! Long Live Belarus!

Artsiom Chernikau, exclusively for the Basta Telegram channel