By Nadiya Savchenko, via Mark Feygin (lawyer)
03.05.2015
Translated by Maria Stanislav and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Photograph by Evgeny Feldman

After meeting with Nadiya Savchenko in the infamous Matrosskaya Tishina detention facility, where she is being kept, Mark Feygin, her lawyer, confirmed that Nadiya agreed to accept chicken broth in order to sustain her life.

Nadiya has been on hunger strike for 83 days. During the last two weeks, she also refused glucose injections, due to the inflammation her veins developed because of improperly placed catheters. Starting 03.05.2015, she agreed to eat chicken broth “for a while.”

In the letter Nadiya gave to Feygin, she elaborates on her decision to “change the tactic” of her fight:

“To people, to Ukrainians!

I’m a fan of a Soviet film called Emergency Situation [1958; based on real events surrounding a Taiwan takeover of the Soviet tanker Tuapse in 1957].

In the film, the Chinese capture a Soviet tanker, are holding its crew prisoner, and forcing them to sign a statement to confirm that they are betraying their homeland and cross over to work for China.

There was a Chinese psychologist who would seek out the weak points of every crew member, and put pressure on them.

One young sailor was very fond of good food. He was denied food for two weeks, and then had a banquet laid out in front of him and was told, “Sign [the statement], and you can eat.” In response, he said he was too weak to hold a pen, so he would sign everything, as long as they let him eat.

So they let him eat. He had his fill, and then said, “Well, now I’m stuffed! You can starve me for another month now! And I won’t sign jack!” 😉

Now that’s what I call strategy!

I’m learning to change my tactic…

Yes, I’m feeling a bit lousy, physically, but not enough to just go off and die. 😉

So, I will drink broth, for a while, so that “if I live – I can fly!”

If I die – I’ll die healthy! 😉

And if I fight – I will have the strength!

I will fight!!! Together with you!

And, as you demand of me, and to thank you for your support, I will stay alive – for you!!!

To be able to thank you more!

We will live!!!

05.03.2015
Nadiya Savchenko”

Source: Mark Feygin