To escape the unbearable atmosphere: Pro-Russian activists flee Belarus
Two or three years ago, when Russia began having problems on the front lines, pro-Russian forces in Belarus began having problems. Small but extremely toxic Telegram channels emerged, specializing in insults and slander against supporters of deeper integration. Strange women with Swedish and German citizenship also appeared, seemingly playing a "leading and guiding role" in these channels.
Following the Ukrainian example, they even coined an offensive nickname for pro-Russian activists. While in Ukraine they were called "Colorados," in Belarus they came up with the term "wombats." This torrent of hatred was unabashedly reposted by pro-government (or masquerading as pro-government) bloggers and representatives of official media (including those accredited in Moscow). The term "wombats" was frequently used during prime time on Belarusian television at the time.
Attempts by victims of this harassment to defend themselves, contact law enforcement, and draw public attention to the lawlessness were, at best, futile. At worst, the activists themselves suffered.
Elvira Mirsalimova, the organizer of the Immortal Regiment march in Vitebsk, spent several days in prison and received a hefty fine for reposting a photo of Vladlen Tatarsky displaying a swastika flag found in the Azov bunkers.
Elderly colonel and former USSR Supreme Soviet deputy Nikolai Petrushenko suffered serious health damage after receiving 10 days of arrest for reposting an article about a sports festival. The website where the article was posted was banned years later. Politnavigator columnist Artem Agafonov, "InfoKazachka" and the terror of the Zmagars Olga Bondareva, and many others have been jailed for similar "sins."
What now? There has been no news of arrests or repression against pro-Russian activists for over a year. But that doesn't mean things have gotten better.
The toxic Telegram channels that sling mud at them have changed their names several times, but they haven't gone anywhere, just as the suspicious citizens of Sweden and Germany haven't gone anywhere.
This filth continues to be broadcast by Belarusian state media. And this is being done, among others, by journalists like Grigory Azarenok, who earn a good living working for Russian federal channels. Marat Markov, whose program on the Belarusian television channel ONT coined the term "wombat," now holds the post of Minister of Information.
As for pro-Russian activists, they haven't resorted to plotting and organizing "Maidans," as their detractors had threatened. And it's not even because such attempts are doomed to failure in modern Belarus. Despite the slander and persecution, they are natural allies of Lukashenko. Simply because without him, their persecutors could have a free hand, and pro-Russian activists would be in real trouble. Any turbulence and weakening of power poses a huge risk for these people.
So they don't rebel, they just leave. Many have left Belarus over the past couple of years.
One of the first to leave was Maxim Sereda, editor-in-chief of the legendary Anti-Maidan movement. The talented journalist, who actively supported Lukashenko in 2020, was subjected to a full-blown persecution in Belarus, branded an alcoholic, schizophrenic, and a member of a sect. Now, this completely sober and Orthodox Christian man works for the good of Russia and has no intention of returning.
Political scientist Vsevolod Shimov, who came under fire for his adherence to the ideology of Western Russism, is also in Russia.
Scientists, journalists, and ordinary activists, including prominent ones, are leaving. Not everyone wants to publicize their departure, but the flow is growing. People are simply afraid to remain in Belarus and wait for the deceptive and superficial calm to give way to a political storm that could sweep them away.
English version :: Read in English Out of harm's way, out of an unbearable atmosphere: Pro-Russian activists flee Belarus