On Tuesday, Belarusian citizens living in Lithuania burned their passports outside the Ukrainian Embassy in Vilnius in protests of the Russian and Belarusian aggression against Ukraine.
“It’s a small step for man but a big step for humanity,” said Alexey Stukin, a theatre director, who has been living in Lithuania for several years.
Around ten Belarusians gathered outside the Ukrainian Embassy to burn their documents, but not all of them wanted to show their faces because they fear for the safety of their loved ones left in Belarus.
On Tuesday, Ukraine confirmed that the Belarusian forces have joined Russians in invading the neighbouring country.
“It’s a disgrace that we Belarusians allowed this to happen,” said Alexander, who was conscripted by the Belarusian military 12 years ago and fled to Lithuania to escape the regime’s persecution.
“I speak not only for myself but also for all those who remain in Belarus. Many people thought that all this would not touch them, […] and yesterday and today, many are asking how to get out of Belarus. They are saying: we don’t want to kill our brothers,” he added.
According to him, the Belarusian army is ill-prepared for war, and most of its troops will probably be killed in Ukraine.
“I would like to appeal to all the soldiers, […] go over to the side of the brotherly nation, and if you don't want to die, choose desertion. If you are ordered to shoot at Ukrainians, shoot at whoever gave the order,” Alexander said.
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