Walks on Freedom Square
{ "title": "Footage taken in the very center of Kharkiv on February 26 and March 3, 2014", "summary": "", "body": "BATRIMG<N>BATR" }
{ "title": "Events in Kharkiv", "summary": "The author describes the events in Kharkiv, including the protests and the storming of the regional administration building, and shares their personal thoughts and opinions on the situation.", "body": "I work right on Freedom Square, which is located in the very center of Kharkiv. Many of these photos show Kharkiv University, which I entered 30 years ago, graduated from, and have been working at ever since. Despite the fact that the university is now in its third century of history, I have seen a significant part of its life with my own eyes. The university has many problems; lately, it has reminded me of a damaged aircraft carrier struggling to stay afloat under new bombs. The reason is that the authorities that have ruled Ukraine in recent years have taken a course to dismantle normal education and normal science, trying to turn them into a simulation designed to make money. Don't tell me that there used to be stability - I know from my own experience, not from someone else's words, that it was a stability of decay. And yet, despite all its shortcomings, the university is dear to me. First and foremost, it is the opportunity for internal freedom and intellectual life, communication with colleagues that fills life with meaning. Freedom Square is supposedly the largest square in Europe and the second largest in the world. It used to be Dzerzhinsky Square. The building where the Chekists who arrived from Moscow, including Felix Dzerzhinsky, tortured and killed those they considered their enemies, is just nearby. Many things have changed, but in the center of the city, a monument to Lenin still stands. It's one of the largest, made with some artistic taste. I once joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union during my military service, which coincided with Gorbachev's perestroika. At that time, the 'foremen of perestroika' instilled in us that Lenin's legacy deserved respect, and Stalin had distorted the true meaning of Leninism. Later, it became clear that despite some old-fashionedness of Lenin, Stalin, and Hitler could be considered his followers. Gradually, my attitude towards this person had to change... I have already described the recent events several times. Here are my columns and photo reports dedicated to this. Photo report from November 24. Euromaidan in Kharkiv on November 24, 2013. Together with Zakharov or together with Shvayka? Column from December 15. Ukraine is a large Vradiivka. Selected places from correspondence with Russian and pro-Russian friends. Column from January 27. We live long. About the Ukrainian protest, 'Molotov cocktails,' and the oxytocin wave. Column from February 23. Unprinted column. On violence: a simple ethical problem and analysis of three examples from modern Ukrainian life. On Saturday, February 22, 2014 (here's another photo report), important events took place in Kharkiv. An event was held at the Sports Palace, which could have ended in an attempt to separate from Ukraine. There was a strong rally in support of Ukraine's unity, and I'm glad I took part in it. And in the evening, there was another rally, powerful and crowded. And during it, the idea arose to dismantle the monument to Lenin. During the discussion, it turned out that among the protesters, there were both supporters and opponents of such a decision. The rumor that Lenin would be overthrown brought together the Antimaidan, whose organization was largely contributed by radio taxi services. The mayor, Kernes, who returned from his 'runs' (allegedly as a result of secret agreements with the new leaders of the country), skillfully played on the escalation of the situation. A permanent camp was set up under Lenin. These 'Lenin supporters' I photographed on February 26. [IMG_1] The camp was fenced, with suitable slogans hanging on it. Here's the one in the photo below - how can you not agree? [IMG_2] [IMG_3] And there's nothing scary here. Of course, if you believe the disinformation that someone is going to ban the Russian language, this inscription acquires the necessary emotional intensity. The thing is that only a handful of strange individuals dream of banning the Russian language, and they do not have overwhelming support not only in Kyiv but also in Western Ukraine. What's the point of making a fuss? Many of my friends were outraged by this camp, and they suggested banning the stationary rally of the 'Lenin supporters.' I'm sure that would have been wrong. Yes, these are deceived people. But to bring them back to reality, you can't disperse them. You need to work with them, explaining the situation. [IMG_4] In some places, the fence is double or triple, with 'push-ups' like in a zoo near dangerous animals. [IMG_5] 'Defenders'... [IMG_6] [IMG_7] [IMG_8] [IMG_9] Creative. [IMG_10] They are being recruited into self-defense. [IMG_11] I agree with all three slogans. But in the picture of the world that the protesters' propaganda has created, these slogans have a different meaning than for a person who reads them without being immersed in the mythology of the 'great confrontation.' [IMG_12] [IMG_13] Campfires, tents, simple life... [IMG_14] On the Sumska side, there's a different life. [IMG_15] On both sides of the road, there are rallies. The thing is that on February 22, the Euromaidan activists captured the 'White House' - the regional administration, demanding the resignation of Governor Dobkin. They captured it peacefully, signed agreements on the use of several rooms, and let everyone work except Dobkin himself. [IMG_16] There are heated debates here. [IMG_17] [IMG_18] The area in front of the entrance is fenced off. It's being protected by the Maidan activists and a small number of police officers. [IMG_19] People are arguing nearby. [IMG_20] You know, what's the difference between this slogan and the slogans of the 'Lenin supporters'? A non-partisan city is not a myth, unlike the 'Benderites' who will soon ban the Russian language. [IMG_21] The discussions are heated, but without the use of force. [IMG_22] [IMG_23] [IMG_24] [IMG_25] [IMG_26] [IMG_27] On the other side of the road, there's a support group. [IMG_28] The entrance to the 'White House', if I'm not mistaken, is from here; the entrance is controlled by the Euromaidan activists. [IMG_29] From the 'White House', I return to Lenin. It's getting dark. Beautiful... [IMG_30] The relationship with the police is calm. In this photo, a police officer is being handed communist agitation materials by one of our department's graduates. It's a shame, of course, but we have other graduates. [IMG_31] How much longer will it stand? I'm willing to agree with those who think that you can't get rid of history just by removing monuments. If it stood somewhere in the shadow of a historical museum, I would have made peace with it. By the way, I think that if a monument to Hitler had been erected in Kharkiv, it could have been left there too. Not as a way to glorify these individuals, but as a reminder that such pages existed in the history of Kharkiv. But the situation is different here. No matter how the monument fits into the square's ensemble, it's the main place in the city. The symbol that stands here shows a certain choice. No, neither Lenin nor, for example, Bandera is needed here. I would have put some symbol here, dedicated to those who studied and worked in Kharkiv and made a contribution to changing the world. Landau. Mechnikov. Vernadsky... [IMG_32] To counter 'Freedom', you don't need to prove that they are SS (because it's a lie), but to show with arguments that they are provocateurs who ultimately work to split Ukraine. Only calmly, without '...this is our last and decisive battle...' [IMG_33] [IMG_34] [IMG_35] Lenin, the Vlasov flag, firewood for barrels, like on the Maidan - what an eclectic mix! [IMG_36] The police are relaxed. [IMG_37] The campfires in the barrels look good. [IMG_38] No, these are not bullet holes. They were just pierced. [IMG_39] I would say that it's even beautiful. [IMG_40] [IMG_41] ...and the university remains the same. Behind it is the Gosprom. I'm very glad that in recent days, the university has taken a completely unambiguous pro-Ukrainian and peaceful position. Usually, the rectorate remained silent in such situations (generally, it's clear that it's better for the university to stay out of politics), but now it has made a decision. And rightly so! And here, in my photo report, there's a big gap. It's connected to the events of Saturday, March 1. The Euromaidan activists were still blocking the 'White House', but they decided to release it. Since Dobkin had resigned, many of those who were ready to spend the night in the administration building a week ago refused to block it. There was a rally on the square, which was heated up by Mayor Kernes. What exactly he was trying to achieve is hard to understand. Kernes couldn't have been unaware that there were many 'guests' from the Belgorod region in the crowd listening to him, who had been specially brought in by buses. Then Kernes finished the rally and disappeared, and the guests of our city, with the support of the locals, went to storm the administration building. The police simply stood aside. In general, the administration building was stormed and partially destroyed. During the storm, firearms were used (I don't know what kind, probably non-lethal). A citizen of Moscow, to the cheers of the storming crowd, removed the Ukrainian flag and hung the Russian tricolor over the administration building. The young people who were in the building were beaten and thoroughly robbed (money, phones, laptops were taken by the 'liberators'). After that, the Russian 'guests' got on buses and left in an unknown direction. In the following days, these people were seen in Odessa and Donetsk. And the 'simple Kharkiv residents' who gathered on the square continued to mock the captured opponents. They beat, spat, and humiliated them. What happened there - I didn't see. The video recordings made there make me feel physically unwell. I'll provide one link, for characterization of what was happening, written by a doctor. (Later addition. For those interested in understanding what was happening here - here's a link. But I couldn't watch this video to the end. By the way, I was quite close at the time. I went to pick up my wife from the university (she's less than a month away from giving birth), and together we walked to the 'steklyashka' through the square from the side of Gosprom. I heard the cries of 'Kharkiv! Kharkiv!' and remember the change in dynamics, which, according to the video, coincided with the capture of the administration building doors). My attitude to what's happening is shown in this illustration. [IMG_42] However, of course, the main question is not about the flag. The flag is just a symbol. The main evil, in my opinion, is the corruption of the Kharkiv rabble, which rejoices in violence. The following photos were taken on March 4. [IMG_43] On the square, people are arguing again. The man in the center of the group says, 'Why don't you believe me, I'm a native Kharkiv resident!' [IMG_44] Other 'native Kharkiv residents' are picketing the administration building, where the new governor, Igor Baluta, a pediatrician by education, is being presented. Not the worst choice of profession, although it's unclear whether he's suitable for the half-military time that can become military at any moment. The thing is that 'Brother is at the gate': not far from Kharkiv, on the border with the Belgorod region, Russian military forces are concentrated. Maybe they'll strike, or maybe they'll just intimidate and continue to send 'guests'. The guests who arrived with 'brotherly help' have tricolors and the flag of the USSR 2.0. Thanks for the gift! [IMG_45] But in one respect, the situation is completely different from three days ago. In the 'White House', there's the Minister of Internal Affairs, Avakov, and the building is guarded by over a thousand police officers. [IMG_46] ...and the 'Lenin supporters' camp is gone. It's been dismantled. How could this have happened? On the current Maidan, there's no one who could say, 'Starting tomorrow, I'll stop paying for the protest, disperse!' so that someone would listen. In Kharkiv, there is such a person, and I'm sure I know their name. [IMG_47] 'Colorados'. You know, after watching the video from March 1, this ribbon started to evoke disgust in me. No, I don't want to tarnish the cavaliers of the St. George's Cross, who received this order in the Russian Empire. Among them are the pride of the Finnish people, Marshal Mannerheim, and my friend's grandfather. As for the Vlasov army, my attitude is more complex, but I won't judge those who got into it and didn't do anything else wrong. And the current ones... [IMG_48] [IMG_49] [IMG_50] [IMG_51] [IMG_52] The utility workers are cleaning up the 'Lenin supporters' camp. They made a lot of trash. After shouting at the Kyiv Maidan, 'Go to work!', they themselves loitered (without any danger). [IMG_53] [IMG_54] [IMG_55] Maybe some responsible person was sitting here... [IMG_56] Who would argue! The only thing that's embarrassing is that the background for this poster is the ribbon that the bandits and vandals used to mark themselves. Before March 1, this could be ignored, but after that, it's impossible. [IMG_57] [IMG_58] [IMG_59] And maybe Kharkiv will recover after all?" }
And there's nothing terrible about it. Of course, if you believe the disinformation that someone intends to ban the Russian language, then the necessary emotional anguish appears in this inscription. The fact is that only a handful of strange individuals, who do not have overwhelming support not only in Kyiv but also in Western Ukraine, dream of banning the Russian language. And why quarrel? Many of my friends were outraged by this camp and suggested banning the stationary rally of 'Pidlennintsi' (followers of Lenin). I am sure that would be wrong. Yes, they are deceived people. But to bring them back to reality, they cannot be dispersed. They need to be worked with, explaining the situation.
Somewhere the fence is double or triple, with 'restraints', like in a zoo near dangerous animals
Defenders...
Creativity
They are signing up for self-defense
I agree with all three slogans. But in the worldview that propaganda from Putin-TV has created for the protesters, these slogans have a different meaning than for a person who reads them without being immersed in the mythology of the 'great confrontation'
Fires, tents, simple everyday life...
From the Sumy side – a different life
On both sides of the roadway – rallies. The fact is that on February 22, Euromaidan supporters seized the 'White House' – the regional administration, demanding the resignation of Governor Dobkin. They seized it peacefully, signed agreements on the use of several premises, and allowed everyone to work except Dobkin himself.
Hot arguments are taking place here
The area in front of the entrance is fenced. It is guarded by Euromaidan activists and a small number of police.
People are arguing nearby.
Do you know the difference between this slogan and the slogans of the 'under-Leninists'? A rare city is not a myth, unlike the 'Banderites', who will soon ban the Russian language.
The discussions are heated, but without the use of force.
On the other side of the roadway is a support group.
The entrance to the 'White House', if I understood correctly, is from here; the entrance is controlled by Euromaidan activists.
I'm returning from the 'White House' to Lenin. It's getting dark. Beautiful...
Relations with the police are calm. In this frame, one of our department's graduates is trying to shove communist leaflets into the police officers. It's embarrassing, of course, but we have other graduates.
How much longer will it stand? I am ready to agree with those who believe that history cannot be gotten rid of simply by throwing down monuments. If it stood somewhere in the shadow of the historical museum, I would put up with it. By the way, I believe that if they had managed to erect a monument to Hitler in Kharkiv, it could also have been left there. Not as a way to glorify these persons, but as a reminder that Kharkiv's history had such pages. But the situation here is different. No matter how the monument fits into the square's ensemble, this is the main place in the city. The symbol that stands here shows a certain choice. No, neither Lenin nor, for example, Bandera is needed here. I doubt anyone will listen to my opinion, but I would put a symbol here dedicated to those who studied and worked in Kharkiv and contributed to changing the whole world. Landau. Mechnikov. Vernadsky...
To counter 'Svoboda', one must not prove that they are SS members (because that is untrue), but use arguments to show that they are provocateurs who ultimately work to split Ukraine. Just calmly, without '...this is our last and decisive battle...'
Lenin, a Vlasovite flag, firewood for barrels, like on the Maidan - what an eclectic mix!
The police are relaxed.
Okay, the fires in the barrels look good.
No, these are not bullets. They just poked through like that.
I would say it's even beautiful.
...and the university remains itself. Behind it is the Gosprom. I am very glad that in recent days the university has taken a clear pro-Ukrainian and peace-loving stance. Usually, the rectorate remained silent in such situations (generally, it's understandable that the university is better off outside politics), but now it has made a decision. And rightly so!
And here in my photo report, there is a big gap. It is related to the events of Saturday, March 1. Euromaidan activists were still blocking the 'White House', but they decided to vacate it. Since Dobkin resigned, many of those who were ready to sleep in the regional administration a week ago refused to block it. There was a rally in the square, which incited Mayor Kernes. What exactly he was aiming for is difficult to understand. Kernes could not have failed to know that in the audience listening to him were a significant number of 'strolling performers' from the Belgorod region, who were specially brought in by buses. Then Kernes ended the rally and disappeared somewhere, and the guests of our city, with the support of Kharkiv residents, went to storm the regional administration. The police simply stood aside. In general, the regional administration was stormed and destroyed. Firearms were used during the assault (which ones, I don't know, probably traumatic). A citizen of Moscow, under the excitement of the stormers, lowered the Ukrainian flag and hung the Russian tricolor over the regional administration. The youth who were in the administration building were beaten and thoroughly robbed (money, phones, laptops went to the 'liberators'). After that, the Russian strolling performers loaded into buses and left in an unknown direction. In the following days, these very people, who posed as 'ordinary Kharkiv residents', were seen in Odesa and Donetsk. And the 'ordinary Kharkiv residents' gathered in the square continued to mock the captured opponents. They beat, spat on, and humiliated them. I didn't see what happened there. I feel physically ill from the videos recorded there. For characterization of the events, I will provide one link. This is written by a doctor.
(Added later. For those interested in understanding what happened here - here is the link. But I cannot watch this video to the end. By the way, I was very close by at that time. I went to pick up my wife from the university (she was due to give birth in less than a month), and together with her, I walked to the 'glass building' across the square from the Gosprom side. I heard the shouts of 'Kharkiv! Kharkiv!' and I remember the change in dynamics, which, judging by the video, coincided with the breaching of the regional administration's doors).
My attitude to the events is shown in this illustration.
However, of course, the main issue is not the flag. The flag is just a symbol. The main evil, in my opinion, lies in the depravity of the Kharkiv 'blackies' who rejoice in violence.
The following photos were taken on March 4.
People are arguing in the square again. The man in the center of the group says: 'Why don't you believe me, I'm a native Kharkiv resident!'
Other 'native Kharkiv residents' picket the regional administration, where the new governor is being introduced - Ihor Baluta, a pediatrician by primary education. Not the worst choice of profession, although it's unclear if he's suitable for a semi-war time that could become a war at any moment. The fact is, 'Brother is at the gates': not far from Kharkiv, on the border with the Belgorod region, Russian military forces are concentrated. They might strike, or they might just parade and continue sending 'strolling performers'. The guests who arrived with 'fraternal help' have tricolors and the flag of the USSR 2.0. Thanks for the gift!
And in one respect, the situation is completely different from three days ago. In the 'White House' is the Minister of Internal Affairs Avakov, and the building is guarded by over a thousand police officers.
...and the 'under-Leninist' camps are gone. They were removed. How could this happen? On the real Maidan, there was no one person who could say: 'That's it, from tomorrow I stop paying for the protest, disperse!' and be listened to by anyone. In Kharkiv, there is such a person, and I am sure I know her name.
'Colorado beetles'. You know, after watching the video from March 1, this ribbon started to evoke disgust in me. No, no, I don't want to disparage the Cavaliers of the Order of St. George who received this order in Tsarist Russia. Among them are the pride of the Finnish people, Marshal Mannerheim, and my friend's grandfather. I have a more complex attitude towards the Vlasov army, but I won't judge those who ended up in it and didn't commit any other specific offense. But the current ones...
Utility workers are cleaning up the 'under-Leninist' camp. They made a lot of mess. After shouting for a long time at the Kyiv Maidan: 'Go to work', they themselves were idle (without any danger).
Apparently, some responsible person sat here...
Who would argue! Only one thing is confusing: the background for this poster is a ribbon that bandits and vandals used to mark themselves with. Before March 1, this could be ignored, but not after.
And maybe Kharkiv will still recover?