{"id":94328,"date":"2024-07-07T19:12:48","date_gmt":"2024-07-07T16:12:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/94328\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","slug":"former-rower-becomes-kalinouski-regiments-acting-commander","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/94328\/","title":{"rendered":"Former rower becomes Kalino\u016dski regiment’s acting commander"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Screenshot (Youtube channel Online.ua)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

July 7, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Former Olympian Pavie\u0142 \u0160urmiej, who goes by the call sign “Uncle”, has become acting commander of the Kastu\u015b Kalino\u016dski Regiment (PKK), according to his interview with online.ua<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previously, the Belarusian regiment fighting alongside with Ukrainian forces was led by Dzianis Prochara\u016d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The unit has not announced the reshuffle on its social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0160urmiej, 47, is a ex-professional rower. He competed in two Olympics as a member of Belarus’ national team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Russia invaded Ukraine, he moved from the United States to Kyiv to join Belarusian volunteers. He was later wounded and awarded the Belarusian National Republic medal for bravery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0160urmiej is married to Ukrainian rower Olena Buryak. Minsk has opened a criminal case against him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Kastu\u015b Kalino\u016dski Regiment was formed in March 2022, initially as a battalion, and joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Prochara\u016d claimed that the unit comprised some 5,000 personnel. Belarus declared it an extremist group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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