Mid-spring is the time, which became rich for some “symbolic dates” and “anniversaries” for Luhansk inhabitants and Donbass residents. Most of these dates inseparably connected with so-called “Russian Spring”. The anniversaries of capturing Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) in Luhansk and Donetsk, “referendums”, proclamation of “Luhansk People’s Republic” and “Donetsk People’s Republic”, beginning of ATO…

Year ago, at 28 of April 2014 in Lugansk last patriotic action of Luhansk supporters of the unity of Ukraine held near the monument to Taras Shevchenko.

While part of Luhansk people with “new elite” is celebrating dates connected with first anniversary of proclamation of their “republic”, for inhabitants of Donbass, who understood and understand what is really happen, this date became the next reason to think. And such thoughts is like — could we do something to prevent all of this events? How could be stopped the impending avalanche of inevitability ?

A year ago, at this dull april day atmosphere on a square was anxious. The organizators of pro-Ukrainian actions openly warned in a social media that in current situation the presence of children and women is not advisable. In spite of such warnings, a beautiful part of humanity in Luhansk continued to visit events at theirs own risk.

For that moment local activists have almost lost all illusions — Luhansk patriots of Ukraine already realized, that they were face-to-face with separatist obscurantism. It has become quite obvious that neither the local authorities nor the security forces did not stand up for Ukrainian statehood. All the more so pro-Ukrainian activists of Luhansk should not expect, that somebody would protect them from separatists. Aggression from their side increased day by day.

Not a large action of patriots lasted not so long that day near the monument to Shevchenko. In order to intimidate the event was attended by «delegates» of separatists from the area near captured SSU. A few dozens of strong men in masks and helmets, with clubs, bats and chains, chanting “Russia” came close to a peaceful demonstration of patriots. Insults and threats began. Several staff from MIA, who was present at the action, react calmly on a happening around. Delegates of Russian and pro-Russian mass-media carefully documented what was going on for the next “free interpretation”.

For the sake of justice it should be noted, mass beating of patriots didn’t happen that day. Apparently, the separatists had the another aim, which was to frighten Luhansk patriots, so that they didn’t meet any longer with each other in the centre of the city. Such behaviour of pro-Ukrainian side could show alternative point of view on the political events in Luhansk. Evidently, separatists, who planned in a closer days to go for more action, in this way cleaned space around for the next activity.

Shouting “Russia” and threatening physical violence to compatriots, “titushki” went back to captured building of SSU. Pro-Ukrainian activists decided to move from square to a building of regional MIA, to find out the attitude of the militia leadership to the events and once again to require an adequate response to the aggressive actions of adepts of the «Russian world «.

On the way to regional MIA part of activists began to jump and shouting slogan “Khto ne skache, toi moskal’!” (Who isn’t jumping, he is moskal — pro-Russian tuned person). Another patriots interpreted this as a provocation. Ubiquitous Russian journalists continued carefully fix the situation.

Building of regional MIA on Polskogo st. looked like for that moment as well-fortified bastion: sandbags , grills, armed soldiers of Interior Ministry troops.  Militia Departments were preparing for a possible assault , which, incidentally, took place a day later .

Towards activists, who came to claim from Militia Departments adequate actions against wandering around town aggressive separatists, went out delegates of Militia Management headed by the chief of the press service of the regional department of State Ministry of Internal Affairs Tatiana Pogukay .

Law enforcement officers assured patriots that their reaction on happening events will be adequate. Tatiana Pogukay answered affirmatively on a straight question if police are ready to defend city from aggressive actions of separatists. In the same time, a lot of participants of the action noticed that representatives of the police leadership didn’t see the obvious fundamental differences between the pro-Ukrainian activists and much more aggressive advocates of separatism. Formally for MIA staff they’re all usual citizens. Such a  fact, that patriots didn’t assault administrative buildings in Luhansk, didn’t capture weapons and didn’t  walk by the city with chains and clubs, was ignored by law enforces.  Maybe, here played a role that in other cities of Ukraine patriots acted more decisively and dismissive towards employees Interior Ministry, thus creating certain precedents.

Anyway, after communicating with Militia Leadership, activists of Luhansk Euromaidan began to disperse. Unlikely if any of them realized, that this event of Patriotic Forces in Luhansk actually was the last.

On the day, when last action of Ukrainian Patriots took place in Luhansk, pro-Russian tuned residents of Schastie city attacked the members of the battalion “Temur”, who came on MIA base for studying. The battalion commander Temur Yuldashev was captured by separatists and located in captured building of Security Service of Ukraine.

Next day, at 29th of April 2014 separatists began actively establish their «orders» in Lugansk: precipitation of building of regional MIA, capturing of local TV-company. “”Russian Spring” was gaining momentum in Luhansk.

Alexei Chernov for informator.lg.ua

Foto by Aleksander Volchanskiy