Zelenskyy Meets Tsikhanouskaya as She Holds Photo of Captured Belarusian Fighter

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Visit to Ukraine

According to Главком: Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is currently visiting Ukraine. During an event, she held a photograph of captured Belarusian volunteer Yan Dyurbeyko, who is now being held in Russian captivity on Russian soil. The meeting between Tsikhanouskaya and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took place in Kyiv on the sidelines of an international summit that brought together representatives from 24 nations.

The Story of Yan Dyurbeyko

Yan Dyurbeyko, born on January 13, 1996, worked as a civilian at the Minsk Mechanical Reinforced Concrete Plant. In November 2020, he was detained for 15 days amid mass protests in Belarus. After his detention, a criminal case was opened against him, forcing him to flee to Ukraine. Following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Yan voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, becoming a soldier in the Belarusian Volat Battalion within the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment.

Tragically, on June 26, 2022, during fighting near Lysychansk, Yan Dyurbeyko was taken prisoner by Russian forces. His case was heard by a court in the Russian-occupied Donetsk region of Ukraine. A Russian court convicted him under the article 'Participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict' and sentenced him to 14 years in prison, to be served in a high-security correctional colony.

Tsikhanouskaya also visited the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant and the town of Pripyat, stating that

“Chornobyl is a personal and national tragedy for Belarusians.”

This visit highlights the Belarusian opposition’s support for Ukraine and underscores the importance of international solidarity amid current challenges.

Tsikhanouskaya’s trip to Ukraine reaffirms the close ties between the Belarusian opposition and the Ukrainian government, reflecting shared values and a common struggle against authoritarianism. The case of Yan Dyurbeyko has become a symbol of the suffering endured by Belarusian volunteers who fight for freedom and independence, despite the risks posed by Russian aggression. By invoking the Chornobyl tragedy, Tsikhanouskaya also reminds us of the shared historical traumas that unite both peoples in their fight for justice and liberty.

Tsikhanouskaya's meeting with Zelenskyy comes at a crucial time for Belarusian-Ukrainian relations, highlighting the ongoing struggle for freedom and the shared values of both nations. For more insights into her diplomatic efforts and discussions with the Ukrainian leadership, you can read about her upcoming engagements during this pivotal visit in Kyiv visit.