Commander optimistic amid split, uncertainty over Kalinoŭski Regiment’s future

July 24, Pozirk. Recent reforms in the Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment, a Belarusian volunteer unit fighting alongside Ukrainian troops, should improve combat capability and ensure financial transparency, acting commander Pavieł Šurmiej said on YouTube.

The reforms would help recruit more volunteers and raise donations, he said in an interview broadcast by the YouTube channel of the Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate.

“We want to improve recruiting so that there will be even more Belarusians . . . with combat experience and these people can instruct even more people at the right moment,” he noted.

Being a part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the regiment’s fighters are paid a monthly salary equivalent to $1,700, Šurmiej said.

While the Ukrainian army provides materiel, volunteers can contribute, he added, noting that donations have recently financed the purchase of state-of-the-art large-caliber machine gun sights, optical sights and laser aiming devices, which could not be found in Ukraine.

The regiment seems to face a split as Šurmiej’s predecessor Dzianis Procharaŭ has recently announced the establishment of the Kalinoŭcy public movement, with a briefing for journalists coming up later today.

His associates include deputy commander Vadzim Kabančuk, regiment’s political wing representative Dźmitryj Ščyhielski and Ihar Turcevič of the Belarusian Drone project.

Former Olympian Šurmiej was appointed acting commander in early July, while the reorganization has been reportedly under way since April.

Also read: Former rower becomes Kalinoŭski regiment’s acting commander