What is the Belarusian Liberation Army, whose emblem was noticed in Zelenskyy's address with an ultimatum to Lukashenka?

Last week, Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a direct ultimatum to Alyaksandr Lukashenka. As we wrote earlier, Kyiv demanded that within a week, equipment on communication masts in the Homel and Brest regions, which allows the Russian army to control kamikaze drones deep into Ukrainian territory, be dismantled. In case of refusal, the Ukrainian president promised that Ukraine would destroy these retransmitters independently.

However, in addition to the unprecedentedly harsh tone, one interesting visual detail was noticed in the address. Politician Pavel Sevyarynets drew attention to a stand with chevrons of military units that stood in the office behind Zelenskyy's back. Among dozens of emblems, the sign of the Belarusian Liberation Army (BLA) was clearly visible.

"Coincidence? I don't think so," Sevyarynets commented on this fact.

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The appearance of BLA symbolism in the Ukrainian president's office is indeed intriguing, given that little is yet known about this structure in the broader information space. Created as a socio-political organization with a military component, it claims the role of a unifying force for Belarusian volunteers.

Liberation of Belarus, NATO, and dreams of Intermarium

Judging by the published program documents, the Belarusian Liberation Army positions itself not just as a military unit, but as a broad socio-political organization with a military component. It claims to unite diverse patriotic forces: from participants in combat and paramilitary formations to civil organizations.

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The main goal of the initiative is declared to be the liberation of Belarus from "hybrid occupation" and the overthrow of the collaborationist regime.

However, special attention in the charter is given to the geopolitical vector. The BLA sets the strategic task of Belarus's accession to the European Union and advocates for close cooperation with NATO. The organization declares its intention to form an army exclusively according to North Atlantic Alliance standards and participate in joint exercises.

Among the foreign policy priorities, the development of a regional union — the Intermarium (Międzymorze) of the Baltic-Black Sea region countries — is also highlighted.

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Mandate from the BNR Council and digital tokens

The creators of the BLA explain their legitimacy and right to liberate the country with a number of documents. Among them is the Declaration on the Establishment of the Provisional Military Commission (PMC), an executive body that forms the BLA. According to representatives of the initiative, this document was signed by representatives of various military and paramilitary organizations, including the then command of the Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment.

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In February 2024, the Chairwoman of the BNR Council, Ivonka Survilla, officially blessed the BLA banner in a letter for "the struggle for freedom and liberation from the attempts of the Russian aggressor to enslave European nations."

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The army also has its own political wing — the "Volia" movement led by Mikita Zabuga. This movement was registered, participated in recent elections, and joined the Coordinating Council, openly declaring its political task to fully develop and support the BLA.

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As for the internal structure, the direct management of the army is carried out by the aforementioned Provisional Military Commission (PMC). It is reported that its composition includes not only commanders of Belarusian combat formations and representatives of private military companies (PMCs), but also civilians with experience in state bodies and military construction.

The BLA structure itself is built from three main elements. The first is the combat asset: groups and units located on the territory of Ukraine or in other "areas of operation."

The second element includes the military reserve — servicemen undergoing training or special preparation abroad.

The third and most closed part is political and civil associations, as well as underground organizations directly on the territory of Belarus, which play the role of an internal reserve.

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The issue of financing is resolved through classic fundraising, but the organizers also propose a modern technological approach.

The BLA plans to ensure military construction through the issuance of its own digital bonds (tokens).

Crimson color and the "Malaya Pahonia" gesture

The creators of the BLA have developed their own system of visual identification, based on Belarusian history. The main emblem of the army is an eight-pointed star, which refers to the sphragistics of Polotsk princes of the XII century. In the center of the star is a shield of crimson (dark red) color. This shade, according to the authors, is associated with anti-Russian uprisings of the XVIII-XIX centuries. On the shield is depicted a six-pointed cross, which was used by Vseslav of Polotsk, Euphrosyne of Polotsk, and in the heraldry of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Holy Cross).

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A distinct feature of the initiative was the introduction of its own military greeting. Instead of the traditional salute (bringing the hand to the headgear), BLA servicemen use a gesture called "Malaya Pahonia".

It consists of pressing the bent elbow hand to the heart, with fingers clenched into a fist. This gesture should symbolize loyalty and devotion to the homeland. The official motto and battle cry of the army are "Time to return Belarus!" and the classic greeting "Long live Belarus! — Live forever!".

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Uniform without Soviet stars and a crimson beret

The military attributes of the BLA also demonstrate a principled departure from Soviet traditions. The army has developed its own dress and daily uniform, with gray chosen as the main color. A gray beret with a round cockade is used as headgear. Interestingly, unlike the official Belarusian army, where the maroon (dark red) beret is a sign of belonging to special forces, the BLA uses a crimson beret as a distinguishing mark for those fighting in Ukraine and who have combat awards. Any serviceman of the army, regardless of branch of service or unit, has the right to wear it for merits.

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Even more radical changes affected the system of military ranks. The BLA completely abandoned the traditional Soviet system of straight lines and five-pointed stars on shoulder straps. Instead, the hierarchy is built according to NATO standards and the traditions of the historical Belarusian army.

On the shoulder straps of junior commanding officers (from corporal to senior sergeant), chevron stripes in the form of angles are used. For non-commissioned officers (chorąży/ensigns), eight-pointed stars are introduced, and for officers — stars and the "Pahonia" coat of arms of the 1991 pattern in combination with oak leaves for the general staff.

The ranks are also close to historical European analogues: there are no lieutenants, but there are second lieutenants, lieutenants, rotmistrz (captain of cavalry), and majors.

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Scandalous debut: lieutenant colonel shoulder straps and a medal from Tsikhanouskaya

It was the BLA's rank system that caused a loud scandal when the virtual structure clashed with the real military community. The BLA's entry into the public sphere occurred in May 2026 during Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's visit to Kyiv. At an official meeting, the leader of the democratic forces awarded medals to Belarusian volunteers.

One of those awarded the "Honor and Dignity" medal was Mikita Zabuga. Formerly a traffic police inspector and a businessman from Lithuania, after 2020 he headed the Heraldic Council (which developed the design of the New Belarus passport and national awards), and in spring 2025 he joined the Kalinoŭski Regiment as a UAV supply specialist.

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At the ceremony in Kyiv, Zabuga came in the gray uniform of the Belarusian Liberation Army, and on his shoulder straps were two eight-pointed stars — the insignia of a lieutenant colonel.

This caused a wave of indignation among war veterans in Ukraine. Belarusian volunteers who have been fighting since 2022 and know how difficult it is for foreigners in the Armed Forces of Ukraine to obtain a high officer rank did not understand where Zabuga got the lieutenant colonel's shoulder straps a year after arriving at the front.

Maryia Animiya, a volunteer for "Bysol" in Ukraine, sharply commented on this: "Is a person who spent 6 months on contract and invented an army more worthy of attention than those who worked in the field, who were wounded and returned to duty? Mikita Zabuga, in the uniform of a non-existent army and the shoulder straps of a lieutenant colonel (of which structure and country?), received a medal as a volunteer of the Kalinoŭski Regiment."

Mikita Zabuga himself, in a comment to "Nasha Niva," explained the situation by the peculiarities of the BLA's charter. According to him, individuals enrolled in the organization receive ranks in accordance with their past experience.

"I graduated from the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and my officer rank is taken into account in the BLA. In the AFU, I expect a more modest officer rank. We are precisely promoting the idea of recognizing BLA ranks after obtaining a position in the Ukrainian army," he stated, citing as an example the army of General Bulak-Balakhovich, which was also created and awarded ranks without external permission.

Representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet then tried to smooth over the conflict, explaining that due to the absence of a full-fledged awards commission, lists were formed by a simplified procedure after consultations with unit commanders. However, a residue of dissatisfaction remained among the volunteers.

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Its own award system and future ambitions

The fact that the head of the Heraldic Council is at the origins of the BLA explains why this structure has such a detailed system of its own distinctions. It consists of three levels: the lowest — medals, the middle — crosses, the highest — orders. Awards are divided into military and civilian.

The BLA calls the Order of Heroes its highest national award. Among other distinctions, the Tadeusz Kościuszko Combat Cross, the People's Partisan Cross, the Emilia Plater Sacrifice Cross, as well as medals for bravery and for assistance to the Belarusian army are envisioned.

The BLA recognizes the national system of awards, including awards of the BNR and OCK.

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As for the leadership potential at the highest level, there are no generals in the BLA yet. The organization's charter explicitly states that this is a matter of time and appropriate organizational measures. To obtain a general's rank, a serviceman must have a military academic education and undergo relevant training programs in NATO bloc countries.

The role of women is separately stipulated in the document. It is emphasized that there is no gender segregation in the BLA — women can hold any positions, including in the military organization, if they have an appropriate reputation and professional skills.

The BLA clearly outlines its plans after a hypothetical change of power: the organization plans to become the basis for creating a new Belarusian army and law enforcement forces.

As we wrote earlier, in spring of this year, at a meeting of the Coordinating Council, BLA representative Mikita Zabuga already called for the creation of international peacekeeping forces on the territory of the European Union with the participation of Belarusian volunteers. He drew historical parallels with Haller's Polish "Blue Army" and Anders' Army, which were formed on foreign territory precisely for the future liberation and defense of their country.

Was it really a signal from Zelenskyy?

Returning to Volodymyr Zelenskyy's video address and the BLA chevron in the background, it is worth noting that the beautiful theory about a "secret sign to Lukashenka" is more of a situational meme than a reality.

As is known from Ukrainian media, the board with chevrons in Zelenskyy's office is not random decor. These insignia are personally handed to the President of Ukraine by servicemen, volunteers, and relatives of defenders. As early as the end of 2025, a picturesque canvas hung in this place between the green pilasters. However, at the beginning of 2026, it was replaced with a new board for chevrons, which was gradually filled in rows from top to bottom.

Analysis of previous video addresses by Zelenskyy shows that the BLA chevron appeared on this wall at least no later than March 19, 2026. At that moment, this row was the last (now the board is filled to the very bottom). This means that directly linking the appearance of the emblem precisely with the June ultimatum to Lukashenka is impossible — the emblem had been hanging there for several months. But symbolic things, even accidental ones, should not be dismissed.

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