VIDEO: Former Belarusian Soldiers Burn Their Uniforms on Social Media

Videos have started circulating on social media showing former Belarusian special forces discarding their uniforms and insignia in protest against the authorities' crackdown on peaceful demonstrations in the country. The videos are primarily being published by the opposition Telegram channels 'Nexta Live' and 'Беларусь головного мозга', as reported by meduza.io.

"I am very ashamed to have served in the army that is now beating and torturing people," says one former soldier in one of the videos.

"I swore to protect my people, and I am ashamed of the lawlessness that is happening now," another soldier stated.

“The Belarusian brotherhood, the Belarusian special forces no longer exist,” declared another former serviceman.

“I cannot take pride in where I served; I cannot wear this uniform and keep it in my house,” said yet another.

As previously reported, the Belarusian Central Election Commission has published preliminary election results, showing that the current leader, Alexander Lukashenko, garnered 80.08% of the votes, while opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya received 10.09%. Protests have followed the elections.

Yesterday, in Minsk, OMON special forces began firing at people who were advising demonstrators. Residents watching from nearby high-rise buildings shouted instructions to those fleeing to help them find hiding places, prompting the security forces to fire several times towards people on the balconies.

Meanwhile, President Alexander Lukashenko asserted that the participants of the post-election protests have been guided by individuals from Poland, the UK, and the Czech Republic via phone communications. Lukashenko also stated that he would not allow a 'Maidan' in the country and would adequately respond to attempts to divide the nation. "We will not allow the country to be split," the president said.