Belarusian volunteers in Ukraine — aside from the roughly 200 Belarusians currently fighting in Ukraine, hundreds more are said to be undergoing military training in Poland. The Belarusian authorities under longtime ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka may be setting up social-media traps to catch citizens seeking to fight for Ukraine, opposition leaders say. Syarhey Hrybovich was detained earlier this month on charges of inciting social hatred and preparing to participate in a foreign conflict, pro-government Telegram channels reported on March 14. In what appeared to be a forced videotaped confession, Hrybovich, 53, said he was detained after filling out a form on Telegram that was billed as an application to join other Belarusians fighting in neighboring Ukraine. At least 200 Belarusians are believed to have taken up arms to defend Ukraine against invading Russian forces. Hundreds more are interested in joining, according to a Belarusian group that is recruiting volunteers. Belarus has close ties with Russia, and Lukashenka allowed Russian forces to use his country as a staging ground for the February 24 invasion. A Belarusian militia that calls itself the Kastus Kalinouski Battalion is using its Telegram channel to recruit men to fight against Russian forces in Ukraine and has set up a special chat within the social media app to exchange private, direct messages with potential volunteers.
via rferl: Telegram Trap: Minsk Snares Belarusians Seeking To Fight For Ukraine