He started out in 1999 as an investigator in the Zhodino police department. He is known to have risen to the rank of lieutenant colonel of justice. Until the spring of 2014, Vitaly served as the head of the Smolevichi District Department of the Investigative Committee.
In 2020, he and four other former Zhodino police officers recorded an appeal to their colleagues who served in the Zhodino police during the protests, as well as to all law enforcement officers in Belarus. In the appeal, Paprotsky says he has served the people his entire life. Vitaly explains that those who stood up for the people were repressed, and he urges them to "come to their senses and reflect." Paprotsky says he supports those who work within the law.
According to media reports , all five were detained in early February 2024.
According to political prisoners, Vitaly often faints and likely has serious heart or blood pressure problems.
