"He gave everyone a grenade and said: 'You know what to do.' A Lithuanian who fought with Lazouski wrote a poignant memoir about him"

Miroslav Lazouski. Archival photo

Lithuanian Rymas Armaitis, who was an instructor of the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment during the most difficult time — the first years of Russia's war with Ukraine, posted on his Facebook page memories of meeting Belarusian Miroslav Lazouski. This acquaintance began in 2022. At that time, the Belarusian commanded a "fiver" — a reconnaissance and assault group of volunteers.

"Serious, strong, stubborn to the bone. Initially, our communication consisted of continuous arguments. He always went first — always. Never retreated. And I, an old wolf, already understood then: people like him either become legends or quickly perish, like hounds," Armaitis writes.

And, the Lithuanian says, during training, he decided to test the commander and set a trap for him — a so-called "mat." Lazouski, who was used to pushing straight through, fell into the trap and, according to the legend of the maneuvers, "died." This incident became a turning point: Miroslav admitted defeat, shook Rymas's hand, and began to listen to advice. According to the Lithuanian, his comrade understood that

to win, it's not enough to be just brave — you need to know how to survive and protect people.

Miroslav earned the instructor's special respect during the planning of one of the operations of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine. When Rymas began to ask the command uncomfortable questions about the flaws of the plan, which was ideal only on paper, the Lithuanian, as a person without a formal high position, was asked to leave the room. Then Lazouski did not remain silent. "Grandpa, I asked the same questions as you. Now they've explained everything to me," Lazouski told Armaitis after the meeting.

Armaitis's call sign was "Grandpa."

Павялічыць

Rymas Armaitis. Photo: senas.vilkas.9 / Facebook

"That day I first saw genuine respect in his eyes. 'Finally, you've learned not to be afraid,' I told him. And we shook hands as equals," the author of the post recalls.

Павялічыць

Miroslav Lazouski. Bakhmut, 2022. Archival photo

In the hell of Bakhmut — its defense lasted from 2022 to 2023 — their paths intertwined even more strongly. Rymas was involved in logistics and the evacuation of the wounded, while Miroslav remained at "ground zero."

"With 'Mouse' (Lazouski's call sign was 'Mouse' — NN) we talked for hours. He was an example for me. And I for him. Cold, sincere, calm, a little cynical, and absolutely brave. People like him are always missing. Very much missing," Rymas notes and describes the hero's last battle:

"The 'Wagnerites' almost surrounded the building we were still holding. Mouse requested evacuation for his fighters. The Main Intelligence Directorate refused — they had to hold out. Then he asked permission to go for reinforcements. He went out. When he reached the necessary building with help — a 240-mm mine from a 2S4 'Tyulpan' hit. The building collapsed. Some were crushed by slabs, some were wounded, some died instantly.

Mouse sent back everyone who could be pulled out. To those he couldn't take, he gave a grenade and said: 'You know what to do.' As he began to retreat, three grenade explosions thundered. He himself covered the retreat of the main group. And he died just 20 meters from a safe place. Covering his own until the very end."

"He thought about a free Belarus every second"

Armaitis emphasizes that the fallen hero was not just a legend of the "White Legion" or a hero of Ukraine: "He was a man who fought for Ukraine, for Europe, for us, but every second thought about a free Belarus. He did not die for a medal. He died because he could not do otherwise."

Concluding the story, the Lithuanian adds:

"I miss him every day. I miss that sincerity, that courage, that calmness. If everyone were like him, the world would be different."

Another Lithuanian citizen, who also saw Lazouski in combat positions, left a comment under Armaitis's post. Daymantas Amsetas notes that Miroslav was one of those rare warriors who become legends during their lifetime.

"He didn't play a patriot — he was one to the bone: from his youth in the Belarusian opposition and persecution by the [Alexander Lukashenka] regime to his last day in Bakhmut.

"Courage and intelligence — a rare combination"

He didn't 'go to fight in Ukraine' — he came to defend freedom, which he wanted to bring home to Minsk," Amsetas remarks and shares what impressed him most about his comrade's story:

"Not just the last battle and those grenades. But how quickly he changed. A stubborn, hot-headed hound who went first and risked the most, in a few months became someone who listened, learned, and could acknowledge others' experience. Not everyone is capable of that. Most remain in the 'I'm right because I'm brave' position until the end. Mouse managed to be both brave and intelligent. That's a rarity.

He died covering his own. Not shouting 'for the Motherland!', but simply doing what was necessary — saving the living, giving grenades to those who could no longer be pulled out, and himself remaining to cover the retreat. A 240-mm 'Tyulpan' mine leaves few chances. But even then, he controlled the situation until the very last second."

Daymantas notes that such individuals connect two truths that are often tried to be separated: the struggle for Ukraine and the struggle for a free Belarus — this is one front. In his opinion, as long as Russia and Lukashenka stand shoulder to shoulder, Belarusians, Ukrainians, Lithuanians, and Poles should stand together just as firmly.

"Lazouski is not the past. He is the measure of the future"

"If there were more such Mice, who know how to be both stubborn and intelligent, and ultimately responsible for their own — it would be easier for all of us. People like Miroslav Lazouski are not the past. They are the measure of the future. What we must become if we want to win," writes Amsetas.

Павялічыць

Miroslav Lazouski. Bakhmut, 2022

"Even his death is an example of how a commander should act"

Vidas Pazharskis agrees with him, also emphasizing the uniqueness of the Belarusian commander's figure:

"Miroslav was a rare warrior who managed to change quickly. From a stubborn hound who always rushed forward, he became a responsible leader who knows how to listen and make difficult decisions.

[Even] his death in Bakhmut is an example of how a commander should act: send everyone who can still be saved, give grenades to those who had no chance of being pulled out, and cover the retreat himself until the end. Even understanding that a powerful mine leaves almost no time at all."

* * *

Rymas Armaitis is a Lithuanian volunteer and military instructor who fought in Ukraine, including being associated with units where Belarusians serve (Kalinouski Regiment). He is 58 years old. From 1991 to 2008, he served as a sapper in the anti-terrorist special forces of the Lithuanian police Aras, and later in the State Border Guard Service of Lithuania.

In Lithuanian media, he is often referred to by his call sign "Diedas" ("Grandpa").

Miroslav Lazouski, known by the call sign "Mouse", was born in Minsk on July 10, 1973. He graduated from the Belarusian National Technical University. In 1995, he joined the Belarusian Association of Servicemen. In the same year, he became one of the founders of the sports and patriotic organization "White Legion," which operated in Belarus until the early 2000s and was engaged in the upbringing and training of youth.

He left Belarus in late summer 2021 when it became clear that it was no longer possible to stay amid mass repressions.

He died on May 16, 2023, while defending Bakhmut from Russian invaders.

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