Usievalad Rodzka

Usievalad Filaretavič Rodzka (, ; 21 July 1920 – 1946) was a Belarusian collaborator with Nazi Germany during World War II. He served as commander of the Dahlwitz Byelorussian Landing Battalion, was burgomaster of Vitebsk from 3 July 1941 until its recapture by the Red Army on 27 June 1944, and served as Chairman of the Central Committee of the Belarusian Independence Party.

Early life and career Usievalad Filaretavič Rodzka was born on 21 July 1920 in rural Brześć District. His father, Filaret Rodzka, was a local teacher. His sister, Halina Rusak, would later become a painter.

Rodzka attended gymnasium in Novogrudok. Originally attending a Belarusian gymnasium, after the institution's closing in 1934 the Belarusian students were moved to the Adam Mickiewicz Polish Gymnasium, a Polish-language gymnasium in the same city. While studying at the Mickiewicz Gymnasium, Rodzka was friends with Jazep Sažyč and Barys Rahulia, together forming an anti-socialist social circle. The social circle was supportive of , a local Belarusian nationalist and agrarian politician who had been imprisoned by the Polish government. In 1938, following his graduation, Rodzka joined the Polish Land Forces, studying at the artillery school in Zambrów.

World War II Immediately following the invasion of Poland, Rodzka was conscripted into the Polish Land Forces as a member of the 42nd Infantry Regiment. On 19 September 1939, he was wounded and captured by the Germans, and was sent to a prisoner of war camp in Poznań. On 20 August 1940, however, he was released and allowed to participate in Belarusian nationalist activities, in preparation for Operation Barbarossa.

Political activities Following the beginning of the German occupation of Byelorussia, Rodzka was appointed as burgomaster (mayor) of Vitebsk on 3 July 1941. Together with Hadleŭski, Rodzka was recruited by the Abwehr and tasked with spreading anti-Soviet propaganda in occupied Belarus. As mayor of Vitebsk, Rodzka was tasked with the Derussification of the city and the promotion of Belarusian culture. He maintained close personal contacts with Taras Bulba-Borovets and Stepan Bandera, both Ukrainian nationalist leaders. Operation Frühlingsfest against Belarusian partisans.