Yury Apukhtin tells about a situation in the Southeast of Ukraine

Our correspondent interviewed the coordinator of the movement «Southeast» in Kharkov Yury Apukhtin.

- The situation in Ukraine changes so quickly that Russia doesn’t manage to estimate the value of the events. Tell how do you see the events.

Really, calling me the friends from Russia don’t understand what occurs. People for some reason consider that after the Crimea left, in the Southeast everything has to occur by itself. Actually the situation is essentially other.

Inhabitants of the Crimea even at the time of the USSR considered themselves as the Russians, and the Crimea as the part of Russia. It was a certain opposition, a protest against Khruschev’s gift. After 1992 year the opposition grew in an open protest. And though from Kiev it was strenuously retargeted on Tatars, creating from them an image of the enemy, it was difficult to deceive the people. Well, the lured management of Majlis for many years pitted the pairs with the regular conflicts on the peninsula. But protest moods against policy of Kiev didn’t disappear somewhere. And after the armed capture of the power in Kiev, inhabitants of the Crimea frankly were frightened. The huge role was played also by a psychological factor — proximity of the Black Sea fleet of Russia which «won't offense». Result is not on a face at all, but on the world map.

— It is clear with the Crimea. Tell nevertheless about the Southeast.

In the Southeast the situation is other. For 22 years the generation sure grew that they are not Russian, but these lands primordially belong to Ukraine. Besides, the image of the enemy — Russian — is introduced in very many minds. The saying «Better worse, but other» here serves much as the guide to action. People sincerely consider that let they live worse, than «damned Russians», but in free country. Without reflecting at all in what their freedom consists. In a free choice to be poor?

The negative role played the experience of the Crimea. Yes, don' be surprised. People believed that the Russians simply will come and will release them without their efforts. From here the posters «Russia, help!» and «Russia» became the most popular and when thousands voices chant it nearby, the glasses shiver in buildings. And not for nothing after all in Kharkov people go every Sunday march to consulate of Russia.

Another thing is that every day people feel the increasing pressure of Bandera power. Ban of the Russian T. V. channels, cleanings in militia, army, bureaucracy, budget revision, beat on specific people, depriving of them even that small confidence in though any stability that was before. Plus deterioration of a standard of living. Still poorly notable, but also it affects. Goods rose in price on the average for a third, the hryvnia depreciated half. People lose the accumulation and many of them— the work.

- It is clear. But all this people feel daily and splash happened right now and in the different cities. Is it notorious «hand of Moscow?»

Don’t make laugh. By means of Moscow, whether it would be money, people or the weapon, we would return all unloved for a long time, but the duly elected president Yanukovych to Kiev and quietly would define the future of the remains of the state of Ukraine on an All-Ukrainian referendum. And now not we, but Galicia would squall «America, help!» and will demand he separation from Ukraine and reunion with Poland in borders till 1939.

— So what happened?

The political situation in the Southeast of Ukraine became aggravated as a result of Junta actions. Not a secret that corruption and billionaires in Ukraine «got» all. And appointment of oligarchs as inspectors over the whole areas, circus with the leader of presidential race Poroshenko, gangster repartition of property revolted and frightened the people. Plus constant pressure of Banderathe ideals in all mass media. And the execution of people in Kharkov in the middle of March by Nazis of the Right Sector?! All these reasons also poured out in protest activization.

— Are you the separatist after all?

I am a realist. Therefore the Southeast movement demands federalization of Ukraine, instead of association with Russia. The requirements of Donetsk are similar with which we united in united movement.

— But what about statements …

Understand, there are supporters of radical requirements everywhere. Especially among the youth. Seeing that the Junta doesn’t hear them, besides, kills, they act, that without understanding, on precepts of brothers Strugatsky — «Demand impossible». If they saw though something good in Kiev, similar requirements wouldn’t sound.

We act only in a legal framework. For this reason we don’t recognize Banderovites lawful who by force of arms have seized power in Kiev. For this reason we demand a referendum with the maximum autonomy of Southeast — we don’t wish to live under laws of Bandera gang. If they want to destroy Ukraine — and they destroy — let do it without our money and our participation. It is Noah separatists, not we.

— And what about the local authorities?

Here is no and can’t be support of local authorities. And here one more huge difference from the Crimea. For example, both the governor Dobkin and the mayor Kernes could become in Kharkov national heroes, having headed a protest against illegal capture of the power. But, rescuing the business interests, they preferred to betray. Dobkin released a place to the new governor, Kernes splits protest movement in every possible way.
And it is not only in Kharkov. Local authorities on all Southeast came over to the side of the members of putsch and in the opinion of the population look as the traitors. Kernes is driven out from the square, on meetings the people demand their resignation.

- You speak about the actions in a legal framework. And what about power captures?

Unless the members of putsch arrived differently? The part of protesters really passed to power actions. But thus nobody beats militia and doesn’t arm from feet to the head. Regional council in Kharkov was taken in ten minutes without any trauma. Except for one broken leg of too quick companion. There were no injured security officers. No one.

- But they speak about the victims…

In Kharkov the cadet was wounded. Explosion of the grenade which has got under a bullet-proof vest, broke off a breast and a lung. But after all the Poltava militiaman threw the grenade from a regional council window. Threw into crowd of unarmed people on the street and in local militia which constrained people. But even after this provocation Kharkov citizens returned to a regional council without fight — visitors militiamen left the building.

Then power cleaning of the seized buildings by the arrived fighters under the guise of special troops of internal troops «Jaguar» began in the morning. The local militia refused to participate in a slaughter. 70 people were taken out in the unknown direction. And it was lawless too — to take out detainees to other areas. Where is the presentation of charges, where are the lawyers?

One more question? The last.

— What do you consider as the most important today?

The main objective of the movement Southeast at the real stage is the organization of protests of the population and civil pressure on let the illegal, but the power, with the purpose to release detainees and to hold a referendum about federalization. Without real wide autonomy of the areas, all Southeast, Ukraine as the state won’t live until the end of the year.

- And what about the elections?

We don’t recognize these presidential elections. We refuse the trust to the participants of putsch and we say that among candidates there is no one who would defend the interests of population of the Southeast.

I will add that with such power, even in the form of federation Ukraine won’t live long. The same thieves won’t calm down, while won’t plunder everything that will reach. If someone else believes in their disinterested service to Ukraine, they have to address to the psychiatrist.

Thanks, it isn’t necessary to me to go there.

Good-bye.