 On July 17, with a detachment of 700 people, Belash separated from the main forces of Makhno and unsuccessfully tried to break through to the Caucasus.After Makhno was forced to retreat over the border to the Kingdom of Romania on 16 August 1921, as the result of multiple wounds, Belash directed operations against the Reds in his absence.He was captured by the Bolsheviks on September 23, 1921, after being heavily wounded in battle at Znamenka.