Dmitry Tymchuk, Coordinator, Information Resistance
08.05.2014
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Brothers and sisters!

Here’s the Summary for August 5, 2014 (for previous summary, please see Summary for August 4).

The bad news:

1. The ATO forces left the city of Yasynuvata [Donetsk Oblast] without taking it under complete control. The reason–the threat of a large number of civilian casualties in any further offensive operations in the city.

Security officials promise to create a humanitarian corridor to allow the townspeople to leave, and then continue the liberation of the city, which plays a major role in blocking the north of Donetsk.

Although, as the experience of other settlements shows, the safety of humanitarian corridors is only guaranteed by the ATO forces–the terrorists promise nothing. And why should they–hiding behind a shield of peaceful residents is their favorite bloody amusement. How this problem is resolved (and this applies to other cities still controlled by the insurgents)–is unclear.

2. A rustling was spread throughout the media: the Prosecutor’s Office initiated a case against the company commander of the 72nd Mechanized Brigade, who led his men into Russia while saving them from annihilation. Earlier, the same response was heard about the upcoming court proceedings of the soldiers from the 51st Brigade, who also retreated to the Russian Federation.

Heated arguments are underway–are they heroes or traitors?

Let’s make up our mind. We are standing on a very thin line between justice and villainy. The society of a country at war is always very sensitive about any hint of betrayal, and at the same time is eager for heroes. But any label that is hung hastily may instantly destroy the fate of soldiers and officers. Or, conversely, [it can] elevate someone who doesn’t deserve it.

Therefore, let’s trust in justice. Only by fully restoring the course of events can we really learn the truth. If law enforcement officers, according to someone’s opinion, are wrong­–then it will be possible to start a discussion. Until then, there is nothing to argue about.

3. Terrorists need vatniks. 

The Russian media reported that the insurgent “commander-in-chief” [Igor] Girkin ordered “several thousand sturdy Soviet army vatniks” from his Russian masters. Word has it that the “DNR” [Donetsk People’s Republic] plans “to continue military operations after the summer is over.” That’s where they are aiming.

A vatnik in a quilted jacket is certainly not a sight for the faint of heart. But I think that for the masters of the DNR, unless they are thinking to surrender, it would be more relevant to order several thousand elegant zinc jackets for the end of summer. [They are] the latest word in terrorist fashion.

The good news:

1. The [Ukrainian] authorities have begun to think about the fate of our heroes.

In particular, the President has proposed considering the question of sending military enlistment employees into the ATO zone, and placing those officers who were wounded during the [military] operation, into the military recruitment offices. In turn, the defense minister instructed the military schools to start recruiting participants from among the wounded, who for health reasons cannot continue their military service. They will be able to obtain other [military] specialties.

… Let us hope that our current heroes who have fulfilled their duty to Ukraine, will not suffer the fate of many “Afghans [Afghanistan veterans],” when these guys returned from the war, another “silent war” awaited them–with the indifference of the state and society. In a country where the Revolution of Dignity has triumphed, this would be very wrong.

2. The Prosecutor General’s Office reported that officials are investigating the enchanting slowness of the Defense Ministry officials regarding the procurement of equipment for the military–for both the budgetary costs, and the donation funds received from citizens.

Frankly, in recent months we have heard a million explanations why a budget of billions, allocated for the ATO, is sitting motionless in the accounts and not moving, as well as an essential part of the charitable duties. And at this time we only see a shortage in the [military] units–in one, then another, or a third.

To be honest–I don’t really believe that someone will eventually bear a heavy responsibility [for this]. But at least the threat of it can make the army officials move at last. An official is a proud bird; until you kick it–it will not fly.

Although, I think if [we] put together a couple of battalions of military bureaucrats and send them over to keep the defense under Dyakove [village border post in Luhansk region that saw much fighting] without helmets and armored vests–within a day we would get the most nimble and swift officials in the world.

3. Today, a new video was posted on the Internet, which was shot by a Ukrainian driver on the territory of Russia, near the border with Ukraine. [In it], accompanied by Russian military traffic police, Russian “Grads” and artillery are being moved to the border.

VIDEO–A convoy of Russian military equipment near the border with Ukraine:  

The driver shouts at the Russian military “Pedera … ts!” I have nothing to add. It’s a short but exceptionally plentiful definition.

That he’s calling them “Pedera …ts”–that’s understandable. But I think if an unarmed Ukrainian in enemy territory is not afraid to shout this [word] in the face of the aggressor–then what [is there] to expect from that same Ukrainian protecting his land with a gun in his hands? Such people cannot be beat. If I’m wrong–try to convince me it’s otherwise.

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB