Janice R. Andrews
Amid the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, many Belarusians have volunteered to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty. However, after completing their service, most are unable to secure legal residency in Ukraine and are forced to seek refuge in European Union (EU) nations, primarily Poland.
Fighting for Ukraine Under Threat
Viktor, a Belarusian who enlisted in 2022, spent a year serving in Ukraine’s military before seeking medical treatment in Poland. Upon arrival in Warsaw, he applied for asylum due to the threat of persecution back in Belarus for his involvement in the war. Despite his combat experience and managerial background, Viktor found it difficult to find stable employment.
Recruitment agencies turned him down, citing concerns about his Belarusian nationality and the possibility of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Employers also feared his presence might cause discomfort among Ukrainian workers who had not fought in the conflict.
Viktor eventually took a temporary job in a car repair shop, and later his previous Belarusian employer offered him a remote position. But his transition to civilian life remained a struggle.
Challenges for Younger Veterans
Younger Belarusian veterans, many without professional experience before the war, face even greater challenges. Many end up in low-paying jobs like courier driving or construction work, far removed from their wartime sacrifices.
Viktor notes that some of his peers are now questioning what they fought for, as they face menial jobs. He also knows veterans who have suffered severe mental health problems, with some even falling into homelessness or suicide.
Residency Denied in Ukraine
Anton, another Belarusian volunteer, joined Ukraine’s forces in early 2022. After serving for two years and sustaining head injuries, he hoped to remain in Ukraine, but was ultimately denied residency. Like Viktor, Anton sought asylum in Poland, where he has been awaiting a decision for nine months.
“I wanted to stay in Ukraine, but it seemed impossible to get legal status,” Anton said. Even Ukrainians married to foreigners were sometimes denied residence permits.
At 29, Anton remains hopeful about his future but acknowledges the difficulty of rebuilding his life as a foreigner in Poland.
Legal Obstacles
The difficulty many Belarusian fighters face in obtaining residency in Ukraine stems from the country’s legal system, which has long provided limited pathways for foreign volunteers to stay after their service. Andrei Kushnerov, founder of the veterans’ group Association of Belarusian Volunteers, explains that many fighters struggled to renew expired passports or obtain new documents while in Ukraine, leaving them unable to apply for residency.
Many veterans ended up in EU countries, particularly Poland, where they could seek asylum. Under the Dublin Agreement, asylum seekers must apply for asylum in the first EU country they enter, making Poland a key destination for many Belarusian veterans.
Positive Changes in Ukrainian Law
A new Ukrainian law, effective as of November 24, 2024, could offer hope. The law allows foreign nationals who fought for Ukraine to obtain a residence permit, even if their passports have expired. While this policy may alleviate some challenges for Belarusian veterans, it comes with an important stipulation: within a year of martial law being lifted, Belarusians and Russians who gain Ukrainian citizenship under this law will be required to renounce their original nationality. The full implications of this policy are still unfolding.
Humanitarian Concerns and Military Challenges
The experiences of Belarusian fighters reflect the complex challenges of post-war integration, legal barriers, and humanitarian needs. While their sacrifice in defense of Ukraine’s sovereignty is undeniable, the lack of support for their reintegration highlights the gaps in both Ukrainian and EU systems.
For veterans like Viktor and Anton, the fight for a stable future continues, hindered by issues such as displacement, employment difficulties, and mental health struggles.
Conclusion
The stories of Belarusian volunteers, who risked everything to fight for Ukraine, serve as a stark reminder of the challenges they face in the aftermath of their service. As the war continues, both Ukraine and the EU must ensure that these fighters are not abandoned in their time of need, and that adequate support systems are established for their reintegration and future.
