Fugitive Russian lawmaker Vladislav Zhivitsa announced at a press conference in Warsaw on August 13 the launch of a movement for the independence of his native Smolensk region from the Russian Federation. Zhivitsa was accompanied by a member of the Coordination Council of Belarus in exile, Yan Rudzik. Zhivitsa added that supporters of the independence of Smolensk will create a unit within the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment consisting of Belarusian citizens who have been fighting alongside Ukrainian armed forces against occupying Russian troops. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Idel.Realities, click here.
Fugitive Russian Lawmaker Announces Movement For Independence Of Smolensk
Vladislav Zhivitsa announces the creation of the movement for the independence of the Smolensk region at a press conference in Warsaw on August 13.