This footage, provided by the Belarusian Volunteer Corps, shows their fighters working alongside the Russian Volunteer Corps. While this may be confusing at first glance, these factions are actually dissident Russian and Belarusian nationals who oppose the Russian government, and thus fight on Ukraine’s side.

The Belarusian Volunteer Corps, in its current iteration, was formally founded on Christmas, 2022. The BVC, and particularly its leadership, is composed of Belarusian veterans of other volunteer units. This affords the BVC experience which offsets its small size. It is suspected to involve around 70 personnel.

Since its inception, the BVC has operated alongside the larger Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) in the Belgorod incursions of last year, as well as in Donetsk. They have had one reported casualty. Pursuant to their operations, in December 2023, the Belarusian Volunteer Corps was labeled an extremist group by the Belarusian government.

 

About the Author

 

       

     

Cole Simms

     

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.

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