The battalion commander of "Dnepr": The Belarusians are good fighters

10 Belarusians are fighting for Ukraine in the battalion "Dnepr".

Yuri Bereza, the commander of a volunteer unit and a current member of the Verkhovna Rada, stated that, "Belsat" reports. Also he spoke about upcoming changes in the Parliament of Ukraine.

- In fact, Verkhovna Rada is still not capable to operate full out. And, unfortunately, it is still functioning under old rules. I hope that we'll do our best to make Verkhovna Rada function under new rules. It is an essential issue. As people, delegated us here, are waiting for us to make the Parliament work efficiently and for the Ukrainian state's sake because military actions are held in its eastern part. And they are desperate and severe. Russia is the aggressor in this case. And it is a stumbling point, which does not allow us to stop the functioning of an "old" Parliament. But if either now or in the nearest future we do not set new rules than a functioning of a new Verkhovna Rada will not last for long.

- Is it true that the commanders of battalions are planning to form a deputy group "Ukrop"?

- Actually, we are planning to form an inter-fractional group that will unit both the commanders of battalions and nearly all participants of antiterrorist operation. People having participated in military actions in eastern Ukraine, the Euromaidan ones, people with combat experience and all those with clear understanding of what is going on in the eastern part of the country will join it.

- What is a current situation in eastern Ukraine? Do you keep in touch with your adherents?

- "Dnepr" has been involved in military actions since April. Now two units and two separate companies are located in the frontline: at the Donetsk airport, in Peski, and on Peski-Mariupol line. "The people from "Dnepr" are almost at all security road blocks. I do not just keep in touch. Every morning and every night I get all the information about current situation. It is hard to be there as after a new Russian so-called "humanitarian convoy" the shelling has been renewed. The shellfire has turned to be worse.

- Some Belarusians serve in your battalion. What do you think of the initiative of the president of Ukraine to grant Ukrainian citizenship to those foreigners now defending Ukraine in its eastern part?

- More than 10 Belarusians serve in "Dnepr". They are really good soldiers. And I support the initiative of the president. In general, it should have been legitimized a long time ago and it had been the president who should have done it. He loses the initiative and it's a pity that he has not it done straight after his election as the president. As the first person to die for Ukraine during the Maidan movement was a Belarusian. The Belarusians, fighting in our battalion, have also supported this initiative. So what is the other way for them to react on? They are fighting for this country so they have the right to receive its citizenship.