Quote
Dear friends, the letter below went viral during the last several days. I made an English translation of it, so non-Ukrainians could have better understanding of what's going on in Ukraine. Please feel free to disseminate it as you see fit. V.Y.
FEBRUARY 2014 EVENTS IN UKRAINE: OPEN LETTER TO RUSSIANS IN RUSSIA FROM KIEV
(Translated from Russian)
Digest:
This is the open letter to the Russian public, written by someone (need to find out who exactly) in Kiev, February 19 2014, on the day when snipers killed lots of people on the Maidan, in front of the live web cameras. This letter apparently went viral among Russian-speaking supporters of the Maidan protesters. The language of the letter is very strong, because emotions were very strong that day, and for a good reason. The author gives a brief account of the events: how they got started, and how they unfolded. He expresses frustration with the meddling of Russian authorities, and with the conformity and servility of Russian mass media and Russian public opinion. This letter is translated from Russian to English for the benefit of non-Russian speaking Ukrainian diaspora, and for all people who do not read Russian or Ukrainian but are interested in the ‘first-hand account from the member of the general public’. It also dispels the widely expressed opinion that at the root of the trouble in Ukraine is the conflict between Russian-speaking and Ukrainian-speaking groups and regions. The author writes and thinks in Russian, but it does not prevent him from supporting the struggle of the Maidan or condemning depraved Russian influence.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Dear friends,
I am writing to those who are in Russia, because everyone in Ukraine already knows and understands everything I want to say. I decided to write this after receiving yesterday many bizarre messages and inquiries from Moscow. I have the full impression that there no one understands what’s going on in Kiev, and this is why I want to do some explaining. I think I have the right to do that, since I am Russian, was born in Moscow, but live in Ukraine for seven years now. I have family, two kids, and a teaching job here.
Everything that is happening now in Ukraine is not a conflict between the government and the radicals. There are no two sides here, and we cannot even talk about attempts to resolve the conflict through the talks, or through ‘plowing with the tanks’ as some are suggesting in Russian mass media. Here’s what we have. For four years now we have lived with Yanukovych. He won elections with the microscopic lead, and with massive election fraud, especially in the Eastern Regions. Once elected, he grabbed an unprecedented power for himself, changing the Constitution for this purpose. He took 35 billion dollars in credits. He jailed his election opponent using drummed-up charges. In four years Ukraine grew impoverished. Now it is impossible to conduct business here, pay taxes, or do any creative work. Health care, education, city services – all totally deteriorated. Against this backdrop, our country was re-modelled to fit the needs of Yanukovych’s family. His son suddenly became a multi-billionaire. Yanukovych himself became the third-most-expensive President to upkeep – after Obama and Putin. His one day costs us 2 million US dollars. For the last six months he kept telling us that the problems of Ukraine would be solved if we sign the treaty with the European Union. Every day we were told that, with the detailed explanations. One day before the treaty was due to be signed, he announced that he changed his mind and did not even care to give any reason why.
In Kiev, several hundred people took to the Maidan. They said they want the treaty to be signed; they want something to be changed. Not that everyone wanted to be in the European Union that much, but this treaty was seen as a hope for some reforms, for some improvement of our life. Those people kept gathering for several days, and then their numbers dwindled. When only five hundred remained, Ukrainian special security forces, Berkut (Hawks) attacked them. People were severely beaten, chased all around downtown, roughed up, and packed into the police vans. Many took refuge in Michailovsky Sobor (St. Michael Cathedral). This action caused such an outrage that on the next day the Maidan gathering was revitalized. Those who showed up this time demanded that organizers of the beatings should be punished according to the law. Yes, they also occupied the building of the city administration, and tried to come close to the President’s Administration building, but it is difficult to control a furious crowd a million people strong. Nobody demanded Yanukovych’s resignation yet. People just said that they will stay on the Maidan until the perpetrators are punished. After ten days, police tried to clear up the Maidan by force. They did not succeed. After this authorities abandoned all civilized rules and norms. People connected to the Maidan protests were snatched, kidnapped, beaten, tortured, and killed. Around the city, government-sponsored gangs of thugs, dubbed “Titushki” by the population, began to attack anyone they did not like. The Maidan was still going strong. After a month of a stand-off, parliamentarians from Yanukovich’s party rammed through the package of laws that made everybody standing on the Maidan a criminal: with fifteen years of prison as a sentence. It had become very clear that Yanukovych did not want to punish organizers of the first attempt to dissolve the protesters, did not want to fire any of his associates, did not want to have talks about anything. People got desperate, and not knowing what to do began to storm the government city blocks. Now they had nothing to lose, since each one was standing to receive fifteen years in jail anyway. Street fights begun to break out. All regions of Ukraine except Donetsk and Crimea rose up. That’s it. There is no split, no division in Ukraine. It is stupid and foolish to think so. Then Yanukovich got scared, cancelled repressive laws and sacked the Prime Minister. The truce was going on for almost a month. During this month he participated in talks and promised to do something. During this month an operation to liquidate Maidan protest was planned and prepared. Russian secret services provided inputs for this plan.
The day before yesterday our Parliament was scheduled to discuss new Constitution changes, designed to limit the powers of the President. They also were about to vote to nominate a new Prime Minister. Maidan activists decided to organize a demonstration near Verhovna Rada (Supreme Council – the Parliament of Ukraine). They wanted to remind the people’s elected representatives about their responsibilities. When they marched to the Rada, they were met by Berkut (special riot police) and Titushki (government-sponsored thugs). People were beaten and hit by stones. Rubber bullets and Molotov cocktails were strewn at them from the rooftops. People dispersed and retreated. After that, a new attack on the Maidan has begun. Everything was prepared in advance. Kiev’s metro (underground) was shut down. All roads to the city were blocked by concrete barricades and heavy construction trucks. In the downtown electricity and telecommunications were cut off. Authorities thought they will take over the Maidan in two hours and suppress the protest. Mass arrests of participants and their supporters were planned for the next morning. But the Maidan stood strong, even though Berkut used armored personnel carriers, water cannons, and shrapnel –packed hand grenades. The Ukrainian security services issued firearms to the Titushki (thugs). The Titushky began to shoot the pedestrians on the streets, loot the stores, and set parked cars on fire. I don’t know what would have happened if they prevailed. But the Maidan stood on.
Yesterday half of the country erupted. The Metro is still not working. It is dangerous to move around the city – armed Titushki kill people everywhere, even in my own neighborhood. Berkut and police take people from the streets, torture them and kill them. Wounded are taken from the hospitals, loaded into police vans, and removed to unknown locations. Today, when some military units declined to participate in the battle, Berkut and Titushki got automatic rifles. Right now, today on the Maidan, snipers killed dozens of people. Yanukovich summons to the city not only the riot police, but the military personnel in full combat gear.
Think about it. Yesterday there was a talk about eighty people killed and thousands wounded. Many of those wounded lost their eyes, arms. Many have burnt lungs, since gas grenades were used mercilessly. Hospitals are overflowing. The Titushki assault the medical personnel and set ambulances on fire.
I want to say that in this situation there is no division along any legitimate political lines. Yanukovych is a murderer and a tyrant, a totally deranged man. He is not interested in anything besides preserving his own power. There can be no two opinions about it, like there can be no two opinions about Hitler. The things that are being said out loud in Russia, about ambitious Klichko, about ‘plowing the Maidan with tanks’ pushes our countries to levels of animosity unprecedented in history. Don’t believe the Russian mass media, even the liberal ones! There is no division, no standoff. There is a deranged, sick man with the criminal past. He wants to drown our country in blood.
I want everybody in Russia to take a pause and think. All of this would not be happening if not Putin, who backed up and encouraged Yanukovych, told him to disperse the Maidan. And be warned that Berkut members have the same mindset as Putin. They decorate their uniforms with “St.George’s Cross” stripes. I am afraid this symbol will become a synonym of the swastika very soon. The responsibility for the events in Kiev lies on Russians, who got addled up by their imperialistic chauvinism. Russia, which built up one of the most disgusting political regimes in human history, which supported and still supports all the cannibals of the world, starting with Lukashenko and ending with Asad, Russia is guilty first and foremost. Here, in Kiev, I am ashamed that I am a Russian.
I am sure in a couple of years from now, when the era of oil super-profits will come to an end and it will become clear that Putin is not capable of managing anything, then the same story will be happening in Russia as well. The government buildings in the regions will burst up in flames. Federal republics will announce their secession. And then Putin will be left with a million policemen, half-a-million Security Services, and a million United Russia party members. And he will try to drown Russia in blood in the same way Yanukovych is doing right now, because they can do nothing else. And then everyone in Russia will understand what’s going on in here. But for now you can enjoy your Olympics, and your travels to exotic destinations. There is still a little time left.
FEBRUARY 2014 EVENTS IN UKRAINE: OPEN LETTER TO RUSSIANS IN RUSSIA FROM KIEV
(Translated from Russian)
Digest:
This is the open letter to the Russian public, written by someone (need to find out who exactly) in Kiev, February 19 2014, on the day when snipers killed lots of people on the Maidan, in front of the live web cameras. This letter apparently went viral among Russian-speaking supporters of the Maidan protesters. The language of the letter is very strong, because emotions were very strong that day, and for a good reason. The author gives a brief account of the events: how they got started, and how they unfolded. He expresses frustration with the meddling of Russian authorities, and with the conformity and servility of Russian mass media and Russian public opinion. This letter is translated from Russian to English for the benefit of non-Russian speaking Ukrainian diaspora, and for all people who do not read Russian or Ukrainian but are interested in the ‘first-hand account from the member of the general public’. It also dispels the widely expressed opinion that at the root of the trouble in Ukraine is the conflict between Russian-speaking and Ukrainian-speaking groups and regions. The author writes and thinks in Russian, but it does not prevent him from supporting the struggle of the Maidan or condemning depraved Russian influence.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Dear friends,
I am writing to those who are in Russia, because everyone in Ukraine already knows and understands everything I want to say. I decided to write this after receiving yesterday many bizarre messages and inquiries from Moscow. I have the full impression that there no one understands what’s going on in Kiev, and this is why I want to do some explaining. I think I have the right to do that, since I am Russian, was born in Moscow, but live in Ukraine for seven years now. I have family, two kids, and a teaching job here.
Everything that is happening now in Ukraine is not a conflict between the government and the radicals. There are no two sides here, and we cannot even talk about attempts to resolve the conflict through the talks, or through ‘plowing with the tanks’ as some are suggesting in Russian mass media. Here’s what we have. For four years now we have lived with Yanukovych. He won elections with the microscopic lead, and with massive election fraud, especially in the Eastern Regions. Once elected, he grabbed an unprecedented power for himself, changing the Constitution for this purpose. He took 35 billion dollars in credits. He jailed his election opponent using drummed-up charges. In four years Ukraine grew impoverished. Now it is impossible to conduct business here, pay taxes, or do any creative work. Health care, education, city services – all totally deteriorated. Against this backdrop, our country was re-modelled to fit the needs of Yanukovych’s family. His son suddenly became a multi-billionaire. Yanukovych himself became the third-most-expensive President to upkeep – after Obama and Putin. His one day costs us 2 million US dollars. For the last six months he kept telling us that the problems of Ukraine would be solved if we sign the treaty with the European Union. Every day we were told that, with the detailed explanations. One day before the treaty was due to be signed, he announced that he changed his mind and did not even care to give any reason why.
In Kiev, several hundred people took to the Maidan. They said they want the treaty to be signed; they want something to be changed. Not that everyone wanted to be in the European Union that much, but this treaty was seen as a hope for some reforms, for some improvement of our life. Those people kept gathering for several days, and then their numbers dwindled. When only five hundred remained, Ukrainian special security forces, Berkut (Hawks) attacked them. People were severely beaten, chased all around downtown, roughed up, and packed into the police vans. Many took refuge in Michailovsky Sobor (St. Michael Cathedral). This action caused such an outrage that on the next day the Maidan gathering was revitalized. Those who showed up this time demanded that organizers of the beatings should be punished according to the law. Yes, they also occupied the building of the city administration, and tried to come close to the President’s Administration building, but it is difficult to control a furious crowd a million people strong. Nobody demanded Yanukovych’s resignation yet. People just said that they will stay on the Maidan until the perpetrators are punished. After ten days, police tried to clear up the Maidan by force. They did not succeed. After this authorities abandoned all civilized rules and norms. People connected to the Maidan protests were snatched, kidnapped, beaten, tortured, and killed. Around the city, government-sponsored gangs of thugs, dubbed “Titushki” by the population, began to attack anyone they did not like. The Maidan was still going strong. After a month of a stand-off, parliamentarians from Yanukovich’s party rammed through the package of laws that made everybody standing on the Maidan a criminal: with fifteen years of prison as a sentence. It had become very clear that Yanukovych did not want to punish organizers of the first attempt to dissolve the protesters, did not want to fire any of his associates, did not want to have talks about anything. People got desperate, and not knowing what to do began to storm the government city blocks. Now they had nothing to lose, since each one was standing to receive fifteen years in jail anyway. Street fights begun to break out. All regions of Ukraine except Donetsk and Crimea rose up. That’s it. There is no split, no division in Ukraine. It is stupid and foolish to think so. Then Yanukovich got scared, cancelled repressive laws and sacked the Prime Minister. The truce was going on for almost a month. During this month he participated in talks and promised to do something. During this month an operation to liquidate Maidan protest was planned and prepared. Russian secret services provided inputs for this plan.
The day before yesterday our Parliament was scheduled to discuss new Constitution changes, designed to limit the powers of the President. They also were about to vote to nominate a new Prime Minister. Maidan activists decided to organize a demonstration near Verhovna Rada (Supreme Council – the Parliament of Ukraine). They wanted to remind the people’s elected representatives about their responsibilities. When they marched to the Rada, they were met by Berkut (special riot police) and Titushki (government-sponsored thugs). People were beaten and hit by stones. Rubber bullets and Molotov cocktails were strewn at them from the rooftops. People dispersed and retreated. After that, a new attack on the Maidan has begun. Everything was prepared in advance. Kiev’s metro (underground) was shut down. All roads to the city were blocked by concrete barricades and heavy construction trucks. In the downtown electricity and telecommunications were cut off. Authorities thought they will take over the Maidan in two hours and suppress the protest. Mass arrests of participants and their supporters were planned for the next morning. But the Maidan stood strong, even though Berkut used armored personnel carriers, water cannons, and shrapnel –packed hand grenades. The Ukrainian security services issued firearms to the Titushki (thugs). The Titushky began to shoot the pedestrians on the streets, loot the stores, and set parked cars on fire. I don’t know what would have happened if they prevailed. But the Maidan stood on.
Yesterday half of the country erupted. The Metro is still not working. It is dangerous to move around the city – armed Titushki kill people everywhere, even in my own neighborhood. Berkut and police take people from the streets, torture them and kill them. Wounded are taken from the hospitals, loaded into police vans, and removed to unknown locations. Today, when some military units declined to participate in the battle, Berkut and Titushki got automatic rifles. Right now, today on the Maidan, snipers killed dozens of people. Yanukovich summons to the city not only the riot police, but the military personnel in full combat gear.
Think about it. Yesterday there was a talk about eighty people killed and thousands wounded. Many of those wounded lost their eyes, arms. Many have burnt lungs, since gas grenades were used mercilessly. Hospitals are overflowing. The Titushki assault the medical personnel and set ambulances on fire.
I want to say that in this situation there is no division along any legitimate political lines. Yanukovych is a murderer and a tyrant, a totally deranged man. He is not interested in anything besides preserving his own power. There can be no two opinions about it, like there can be no two opinions about Hitler. The things that are being said out loud in Russia, about ambitious Klichko, about ‘plowing the Maidan with tanks’ pushes our countries to levels of animosity unprecedented in history. Don’t believe the Russian mass media, even the liberal ones! There is no division, no standoff. There is a deranged, sick man with the criminal past. He wants to drown our country in blood.
I want everybody in Russia to take a pause and think. All of this would not be happening if not Putin, who backed up and encouraged Yanukovych, told him to disperse the Maidan. And be warned that Berkut members have the same mindset as Putin. They decorate their uniforms with “St.George’s Cross” stripes. I am afraid this symbol will become a synonym of the swastika very soon. The responsibility for the events in Kiev lies on Russians, who got addled up by their imperialistic chauvinism. Russia, which built up one of the most disgusting political regimes in human history, which supported and still supports all the cannibals of the world, starting with Lukashenko and ending with Asad, Russia is guilty first and foremost. Here, in Kiev, I am ashamed that I am a Russian.
I am sure in a couple of years from now, when the era of oil super-profits will come to an end and it will become clear that Putin is not capable of managing anything, then the same story will be happening in Russia as well. The government buildings in the regions will burst up in flames. Federal republics will announce their secession. And then Putin will be left with a million policemen, half-a-million Security Services, and a million United Russia party members. And he will try to drown Russia in blood in the same way Yanukovych is doing right now, because they can do nothing else. And then everyone in Russia will understand what’s going on in here. But for now you can enjoy your Olympics, and your travels to exotic destinations. There is still a little time left.
