The fighter “DPR” was convicted, and later became the hero of state propaganda
Aleksey Ershov was a tractor driver in the Postavy district of the Vitebsk region. In 2016, he went to fight in Ukraine alongside the pro-Russian separatists of the self-proclaimed DNR and LNR. Upon returning to his homeland, he was convicted of “ideological mercenarism”, but he escaped and again went to the Donbass, where he continues to fight the Ukrainians. Now he is “head of the unmanned aerial vehicle service of the people’s militia” DPR “. Belarusian state media calls him “the hero of special operation Z”.
Yershov became the main character in the program of Belarusian propagandist Ksenia Lebedeva, who visited Donbass in March 2023. A young man in military uniform with a red and green chevron told how he shot down Ukrainian drones. Yershov’s example shows how the regime’s attitude towards Belarusians who are fighting in Ukraine on the side of Russia has changed.
How Yershov became the hero of state propaganda in Belarus
According to Yershov, he went to Donbass in 2016 after starting to correspond with locals. However, friends of his claimed that, in fact, he wanted to earn money – he had a large child support debt. Ershov served in the army behind him and in the self-proclaimed “DPR” he was engaged with intelligence. He did not hide his participation in hostilities – he posted photos on social networks in which he posed with weapons.
In 2017, Yershov returned to Belarus and was immediately detained by the KGB. The hearing of his case was held behind closed doors, but Alexei’s mother said to the press that the son confessed everything – he fought, but not for money, but for an idea. Ershov himself later confirmed this in an interview. He was found guilty of “ideological mercenarism”, the data that he was paid for participating in hostilities were not confirmed in court, although he was initially accused of this. Penalty – 2 years of “domestic chemistry” (restriction of freedom without referral to a correctional institution. – Ed.), took into account cooperation with the investigation. Soon Yershov escaped and again went to Donbass, where he continues to commit the crimes for which he was tried in his homeland. Ershov’s unit carries out artillery fire adjustments, fights against drones and ensures the release of propaganda leaflets on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to Belarusian laws, now Alexei Yershov must be tried in his homeland for flight – for this he faces up to 3 years in prison (Article 415 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus). The statute of limitations has been suspended while the mercenary is hiding abroad. Yershov himself, in a program on Belarusian state television, saidwho, if necessary, will go to fight in Belarus.
Participants in the conflict on both sides were given real terms
Since the beginning of hostilities in Donbass, Alexander Lukashenko and representatives of law enforcement agencies have emphasized that Belarusians who are going to fight in Ukraine are criminals and will be prosecuted in Belarus. The Ministry of Internal Affairs warned that such actions qualify as “mercenarism” (Article 133 of the Penal Code, up to 7 years in prison) and “recruitment of mercenaries” (Article 134 of the Penal Code, up to 15 years).
“We will deal with those who are fighting today when they return to the country. I warned everyone, and at the legislative level we made a decision: if you go to fight – i.e. kill – it doesn’t matter if you are for the Donbass or against it, then we’ll ask you,” he said Lucashenka in 2015.
But many went to fight not for money, but for an idea, both on the side of pro-Russian separatists and on the side of the Ukrainian state. Therefore, the security forces decided to change the law – article 361-3 “participation in armed conflict on the territory of a foreign state without signs of mercenarism” (up to 5 years in prison) appeared in the Criminal Code. Now the security forces do not need to prove whether a Belarusian fought abroad for money or for an idea – the mere fact of participating in such a conflict is enough to bring him to criminal responsibility. Previously, participants in the conflict on both sides were given royal terms. Everything changed in 2022.
Can the law be changed for pro-Russian militants?
Now security forces seem to target only those who support Ukraine and ignore militants fighting for Russia. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus and the Prosecutor General’s Office pretend not to know about this, although Yershov and other fighters openly appear on state television.
Lawyer Yulia Levanchuk, in a commentary for DW, notes that while according to the law there is no difference which side a citizen fights on, in fact the authorities are pushing the pro-Russian agenda. “Participants of hostilities for which there is criminal punishment are presented as heroes, even PMC militants”, notes the expert. “It seems like an encouragement. I even admit that the law can be changed for these fighters.”
At the same time, criminal cases are being opened in Belarus against fighters fighting alongside Ukraine, officials have announced. first trial in absentia. According to the human rights center “Vesna”, relatives and even acquaintances of the fighters of the Kalinovsky regiment are being persecuted. Furthermore, the Lukashenka regime also persecutes Belarusians who simply speak in support of Ukraine.
Source: DW
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