Appeal to Belarus Paratroopers - Lt. Col. Valery Stepanovych.

Video Link:
https://youtu.be/dPXaqboaMEg

Amateurish (sorry) translation by @DmitryOpines.

Introduction

Hello defenders of the nation, my address to you. I am Lietenant Colonel of the Reserve, Valery Stepanovych.

I'm introducing myself because I quit some time ago, so it's possible newer recruits don't know me; though I think you've all heard of the Black Eagles. <<Dmitry: Best I can tell, “Black Eagle” was an honorary rank awarded to elite special forces members of the Belarus Paratroopers>>

A lot of our valor comes from there. You've also heard that the 38th Guard Brigade used to run 10k every morning in full gear and then swim in the lake.

Well, I was the guy who every day for four years ran at the front, and dived first into the lake. I'm black eagle one.

All the most important things in life generally happen quickly, and without warning.

It's impossible to prepare to become a hero. It's just that in a person's life there arise circumstances where he must act, here and now.

To act, and become a part of history. Or to wait for a more opportune moment. Though fate tends to offer a chance to do something truly meaningful but once.

I served in the airborne for a long time. Over ten years in the "Brestakaya Brigade" alone, from soldier to brigade commander.

Those who have met me can't help but be honest, I was one of the officers most fanatically loyal to the army. A patriot. Duty was all.
Mercantilism was always foreign to me. I bring this up so that no one begins building theories that someone hired me to make these remarks.

There's nothing in my biography suggesting I might be for sale, and at my age, people don't change.
The Airborne was my everything, and in all the years after I left the service I continued to help and support my Brigade.

In front of my house, for 18 years, had stood a flagpole with the banner of the VDV (paratroopers). It no longer hangs there now, for reasons related to 2020, but that's a conversation for another time.

Main Speech

Today, I decided to record my first ever video address because my comrades, guys in light blue striped shirts like the one I wore, are sitting in the forest on the borders of Ukraine and it looks likely that shortly they'll be participating in something very bad.

Something that could have catastrophic consequences for our country, and comprehensively tarnish the honor and traditions of the army, which were established by many generations of paratroopers and it's likely not all will make it home alive.

The Russian army, which has tremendous combat experience, has spent 3 days in hell. The number of dead count in the thousands. The number of prisoners is in the hundreds. Military and civilian hospitals at the border are overflowing with wounded.

None of the objectives of the 'operation' have been achieved.

As of this moment they have not managed to seize Kyiv, or any regional center.
The Russian army is already sufficiently wearied, and the Ukrainians having survived the critical first 72 hours have successfully mobilized, organized, sorted out their logistics, received support (moral and in war materiel) from the whole world, but most importantly, saw that they have been attacked by ordinary mortals, stopped fearing them, and tasted victory. This army is not going to retreat and won't surrender.

The Russians simply became victims of their own propagandists, who promised that the people of Ukraine would great the invaders with bread and salt like liberators.

But you know all this.

You may be forbidden smartphones, but you're still in Belarus, in contact with friends and family. You've had time to understand and process everything.

Does anyone actually think that your deployment into Ukraine will go better than the New Year's storming of Grozny in 1995 << Dmitry: first Chechen war, a disaster for Russian soldiers>>?

Information warfare is a terrifying thing. Propogandists have become so skilled and definitional games, at presenting black as white and vice versa. I don't want to get into the politics. Politics has always been foreign to me.

However, any clear thinking person must understand three things:

First, Ukraine has never been a threat to Belarus and is not threatening Belarus now.

Second, there are no drug addicts or nationalists in the Ukrainian government, and even if there were they’d have been appointed in free democratic elections.

Third, there is no legal basis for the invasion of Belarus armed forces onto the territory of Ukraine, and moreover such an incursion is specifically banned by our Constitution.

This isn’t our war. You won’t be defending your country, your home or your family. You won’t earn any honor in this conflict, only shame and indignity, blood and death, and pariah status for Belarus for decades.

Brothers, find a way not to participate in this dirty business.

Officers, will you be able to live with yourselves knowing you let the boys under your command die for nothing?
How are you going to look the mothers who gave you their sons in the eye?

Separately, I’d like to address the people on whom much depends. The military commanders with many stars on the epaulets.

For many of you I was a commander and a mentor. In my memory, you remain as decent and responsible military leaders, with initiative and capable of quickly orientating themselves in a complex situation, competently and deeply analysing it, and calculating the consequences of various options.

Lads, at the end of the day this is your primary functional duty. It is precisely for this that the nation spent so many years preparing you. No matter how much they pressure you, do what a real man must, make the right decision, muster your civic bravery, and do not send your soldiers into the slaughter.

Sometimes the greatest act of valor is simply saying “no,” and entering history as a person who saved hundreds, perhaps thousands of lives, and relations with a fraternal people (brotherly nation).

Even if they fire you, believe me, you’ll be heroes.

It’s been an honor.