Piedāvājam Jums speciālreportāžu par pēdējiem notikumiem Ukrainā, ko mums nosūtījusi EKL draudzene no Kijevas, Ukrainā.
Anna Isajeva – strādā jauniešu NVO, iepriekš studējusi vēsturi; piedalījusies neskaitāmās starptautiskās jaunatnes programmās. Dzimusi un dzīvo Kijevā. Piedalījusies Oranžajā revolūcijā un aktīvi piedalās kā parasta pilsone aktuālajos notikumos Ukrainā. Viņa nav nevienas politiskās partijas pārstāve.
Anna Isaieva – working in youth NGO, before studied history; participated in numerous international youth programs. Born and live in Kyiv. Was lucky to participate in “Orange revolution”, is actively involved as ordinary citizen in today’s events in Ukraine. Is not a member of any political party.
Some notes from Kyiv, Ukraine
“During last weeks as you may notice the situation in Ukraine is becoming calmer and more peaceful” – that’s how I started one of my emails on Friday night of 11th April. But it’s Ukraine! And the last days brought us new challenges.
Time, as well-known, is the best doctor. It has not fully cured us but helped to realize and accept new realities – where people dreadfully calm and serious discuss how to survive during air force attacks in big cities, or well-dressed men sitting next to you in city centre restaurant discussing possible tactics of partisan war in Kyiv and around it… What was absurd in the beginning became banal.
Crimea: very brief notes
On 16th March, in Crimea was held an illegal referendum on further status of peninsula. 95,5% voters voted for the union with Russian Federation (for example, in Sevastopol 123% voters were “for”). Results of plebiscite were officially recognized by Venezuela, North Korea, Syria and Russia. Two days later, president Putin signed agreement about inclusion of peninsula into Russia. In other words, one of the three countries who guaranteed territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine actually occupied and included piece of it. On the same day, the first Ukrainian military man was killed during the storm of Ukrainian military base. As a permanent background for invasion, news about civil society activists and journalists disappeared in Crimea.
At the moment peninsula is blocked. Russian troops are inside. Central Government is preparing plans of evacuation of military bases and citizens of Ukraine who want to move to “continental” Ukraine.
Russia took back part of their troops from Ukrainian borders; tension in Crimea also went down. Now Crimeans are starting to enjoy realities of new long-dreamed life in Russian Federation.
Meanwhile, slowly but situation in “continental” Ukraine was stabilizing. Crimean events were present in our reality only as news from mass media. Capital is situated almost 900 km away, Lviv around 1200 km away.
Finally association?
On 21rst March, EU and Ukraine signed the agreement about Association. There was no big resonance or interest about this fact in country as Ukrainians are disappointed in EU bureaucracy and the way of acting. Especially, after 103 deaths of people for values which EU declares as their priorities.
Déjà vu
As open invasion in Eastern and Southern regions of Ukraine failed, the tactic changed: from international conflict to “internal case”. In biggest cities of Southeast (Kharkiv, Lugansk, Donetsk etc.), pro-Russian activists attacked administrative buildings during weekend, occupied them and then left on Monday mornings. It became some kind of creepy tradition… For example, in Donetsk “guests” occupied city hall without efforts – police just let them inside, after spending some hours there, they got bored, drank all bear and went away. In Kharkiv, “local” activists occupied Opera House instead of City Hall (both are big and look impressive). It could be funny, but in the same time participants of meetings for united Ukraine are beaten and injured, unfortunately, even killed.
Mentioned events are part of destabilization plan of Ukraine before the presidential elections (25th May). The main tools are local titushki or “Putin tourists” coming from Russia and Belarus, FSB agents for coordination. The possible aim is to show to whole world that Ukrainian authorities are illegal, not recognised by population.
The tensions and success of provocations depend on city. In Mykolaiv, Kherson, Odessa local population are quite active and did not allow “guests” to act.
Something really big and significant we expect on 9th May – Victory Day, the cornerstone of Soviet and modern Russian state ideology. But…
On the weekend, 12th-13th April, in small cities of Donetsk and Lugansk regions well-organised and equipped unknown people occupied buildings of SBU (security service of Ukraine), police departments. As a shield they used local “babushkas”, women and other civilians (this “tactic” Mr. Putin proposed to use in his speech from 4th March 2014). Terrorists blocked occupied buildings and started “process of creating of states”: we already have Lugansk republic, Donbass (or something like this) republic etc. Centre of destabilization is small city of Slavyansk in Donetsk region (population around 117 000 people) where 600 of “militants”, “patriots of Donbass” with strong Russian accents made choice for whole city. They armed with the type of gunfire which is not possible to buy in Ukraine. Only one country uses this type of gun. Yes, it’s our Eastern neighbor.
Terrorists’ demands (federalization of Ukraine, Russian language as second state etc.) changed very fast. On proposals from central Government to negotiate they react with new demands – such behavior is stressful déjà vu.
On Sunday they attacked car with the representatives of anti-terroristic centre who moved to Slavyansk. One officer is killed, few badly injured. On Monday, 14th April, SBU publish 6 minutes audio tape of phone conversation between terrorists and their coordinator from Russian Federation – they are discussing details of operation and probable Russian coordinator congratulated terrorists with “good celebration of holiday” (14th April – Orthodox Palm Sunday).
On Sunday evening Kyiv gave an ultimatum to separatists till morning – to free all buildings, surrender weapon and back home without any consequences. The answer was attacks on police stations in Gorlivka (industrial city in Donetsk region). The chiefs of criminal police and police of the city who reject to surrender were strongly beaten.
The tension is growing, and we back to situation we have 1,5 months ago – but today it’s not about Crimea – peninsula which could be blocked and controlled. It’s about East Ukraine. South Ukraine. Or whole Ukraine?
In Soviet times, many events where connected or dedicated to the “red dates in calendar” (state holidays like Day of October Revolution etc). Maybe, this year Victory Day will be more connected with nowadays achievements? At least, from the Moscow perspective.
Anna Isaieva,
Kyiv, 15.04.2014