2,871 Belarusians Recruited Into Russia's Army - Tikhanovskaya Meets Ukraine's POW Coordination Headquarters

On May 26, 2026, Dmytro Usov, Secretary of Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, met with Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and her team in Kyiv. The meeting was also attended by Bohdan Okhrimenko, Head of the Coordination Headquarters Secretariat, and representatives of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 

The delegation was briefed on the Coordination Headquarters' core activities - including mechanisms for locating, identifying, and repatriating prisoners of war and missing persons - as well as the specifics of cooperation with international organizations.

Usov presented the delegation with data on Belarusian nationals recruited into the Russian Armed Forces.
 

"As of May 2026, the personal data of 2,871 Belarusian citizens who signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense has been established. At least 440 of them are known to have been killed or gone missing. The 'I Want to Find' chatbot has received 520 applications regarding missing persons identified as Belarusian nationals," Usov stated.

Belarusian recruits in the Russian Armed Forces are typically assigned to assault operations - among the most dangerous and lethal roles on the front line.

The delegation had the opportunity to speak directly with Belarusian nationals currently held as prisoners of war in Ukraine, who had fought on the Russian side. Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that the actions of these individuals do not reflect the position of the majority of Belarusian society. The opposition continues its efforts to prevent the Kremlin from drawing Belarus into full-scale war.

Usov also highlighted Ukraine's approach to prisoners of war: "Since September 2022, the Coordination Headquarters has operated the 'I Want to Live' project, which gives occupying forces the opportunity to inform Ukraine's Defense Forces in advance of their intent to voluntarily surrender. Unlike Russia, Ukraine strictly adheres to international law - including in its treatment of prisoners of war."

Tsikhanouskaya thanked the Coordination Headquarters for its role in the release of Belarusian political prisoners in December 2025.

Sources: Coordination HQ website, I Want to Live Telegram channel