Did the Polish general Waldemar Skrzypczak, claim that Poland is preparing for an armed coup in Belarus and that he is involved in its military support? No, that's not true: The retired general appeared on Polsat News' Gosc Wydarzen program on May 23, 2023, to discuss recent events in Belgorod, Russia. During the interview, he did not mention any plans for an armed coup in Belarus by or with Poland.
A video (archived here) was posted on the TikTok account @akv1k_ on May 25, 2023. The caption in Russian reads (as translated by Lead Stories staff):
Poland is preparing for an armed coup in Belarus and will provide millitary support,
- the republic's former deputy national defense minister, Gen. Waldemar Skrzypczak.
"We are preparing for an uprising in Belarus, because it will happen," Skrzypczak said on air of the TV channel Polsat.
He specified that we are talking about a military operation.
This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:
(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Fri Jun 2 11:47:38 2023 UTC)
The claim has been propagated by multiple Russian-speaking media outlets, including Belarusian sources like the self-proclaimed independent online platform @belnovosti. In an article, (archived here), the headline, which is actively being circulated by propaganda media, states:
Polish general confirmed previously reported information that the West is preparing an armed coup in Belarus.
The misinterpreted statement has also gained traction on TikTok, as seen in these instances here or here.
During the "Gosc Wydarzen" program on Polsat News on May 23, 2023, retired General Skrzyczak discussed the events in the Russian city of Belgorod. He specifically referred to the incidents of May 22, 2023, where, according to the governor of Russia's Belgorod region, a Ukrainian "sabotage group" crossed into Russian territory. DW (Deutsche Welle) analyzed the statements made by the general regarding the Belgorod incident. When asked about the appropriate response in the event of a similar "internal war" occurring in Belarus, Skrzypczak responded by saying, "We should start preparing for it now! [...] I believe it's time to get ready. It will happen."
Lead Story staff listened to and translated Skrzypcza´s reflections on a potential uprising in Belarus, emphasizing the need for Poland to be prepared. However, there were no references made to Poland or the Western countries planning an armed coup in Belarus, nor was there any advocacy for its initiation.
