Chekov's Donbass Thread

[Admiral Chekov]

Some "Star Wars" music from that John Williams anniversary concert at the Donetsk Regional Philharmonic 🙂

 

[Admiral Chekov]

Yesterday (17.02.2022), Kiev-controlled forces shelled self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics' territories across the entire frontline border. Towns and villages of Nikolayevka, Oktiabr, Trudovskiye, Maryinka, Yelenovka, Kominternovo, Staromikhailovka and the Petrovski district (Donetsk suburb) suffered damage. In Staromikhailovka, a local woman was injured. Donetsk and Luhansk militias were given orders to return fire


There are also conflicting reports of shells hitting a kindergarten in the frontline area, injuring two staff members. Ukrainian media says that the kindergarten is located in Luganskaya village (Kiev-controlled territory); while Luhansk People's Republic sources say it's in the village of Novaya Kondrashovka (LPR territory). Photos of the damage are claimed to be fake. The reports of the kindergarten shelling appeared on "Typical Donetsk" (a group by & for Donetsk residents in VKontakte, a Russian social network) a couple hours after the first reports of Donetsk and Luhansk territory shellings started to appear


Today, Kiev-controlled forces continue to fire at Donetsk and Luhansk territory. Early in the morning, Stratonauts' Street (Donetsk outskirts, near the airport) was shelled. Heavy shelling prevents civilian traffic movement along the Donetsk-Gorlovka highway. DPR and LPR frontline towns and villages are getting ready for possible emergency evacuation of civilians


Sources: "Typical Donetsk", ria.ru, "Russia 24", WarGonzo


Aftermath of the Petrovski district shelling (Donetsk People's Republic)

Local woman, injured during shelling of Staromikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic)

Photos of reported kindergarten shelling

Early morning shelling of the Stratonauts' Street (Donetsk) and its aftermath

 

[Admiral Chekov]

On 18.02.2022, authorities of Donetsk and Luhansk republics started temporary evacuation of children, women and the elderly away from the frontline and across the border into Russia. The evacuation is being carried out by means of buses. Temporary housing/amenities (incl access to Internet) are being set up by Russia's emergency services in the Rostov region. Financial help is being allocated for the refugees in Russia. The evacuation was ordered due to the growing threat of Kiev-controlled forces offensive

A car exploded in the center of Donetsk on 18.02.2022. Authorities say this was an attempted assassination by Kiev-controlled agents of one of the Donetsk People's Militia's top officers. The attempt failed. There had been many such attacks (both failed and successful) since the founding of the Donetsk republic

Donetsk officials say that, on 18.02.2022, Ukrainian saboteurs tried to blow up a fuel storage facility in Elenovka and an ammonium gas pipeline of the "Stirol" chemical plant near Gorlovka. Both attempts were thwarted by DPR forces. Reportedly, several Ukrainian agents were killed and a few others apprehended. Several attacks on fuel reservoirs and pipelines occured on Donetsk and Luhansk republics' territories since 2014


Luhansk and Donetsk authorities say that Kiev-controlled forces are using various types of weapons, including 120-mm mortars and 152-mm artillery. Also, recon data shows that Ukrainian soldiers are deactivating their minefields along the frontline - this could indicate preparations for an advance


People in Donetsk and Luhansk republics receive fake news SMS, saying that the refugees are not welcome in Russia. The messages are thought to originate from Kiev-controlled regions of Ukraine/Ukrainian infiltrators


On 18.02.2022, there was a strong explosion on the "Friendship" oil pipeline in Luhansk People's Republic. The explosion is thought to be the work of Kiev-controlled agents/saboteurs

General mobilization was announced in Donetsk and Luhansk, 19.02.2022


Russel Bentley on the recent allegedly fake kindergarten shelling news story





Sources: "Russia 24" news channel; "Typical Donetsk", a group by & for Donetsk residents in VKontakte (a Russian social network); "Gorlovka: The Heart of the DPR", a group in VKontakte

 

[Admiral Chekov]

Today (20.02.2022), Donetsk republic special units stormed a hideout of heavily-armed Ukrainian agents/saboteurs on DPR territory. Several agents were captured alive




Later today (20.02.2022), Kiev-controlled forces tried to advance into Luhansk People's Republic's territory at the village of Pionerskoye. They were repelled by LPR forces. 2 local residents were killed & several houses damaged by Ukrainian-fired shells

Also today, Kiev-controlled forces have shelled Gorlovka, Aleksandrovka, Trudovskie (DPR); the outskirts of Donetsk; the northern outskirts of Luhansk

Donetsk suburbs today (Leninskiy district)

Aftermath of the shelling of Donetsk suburbs today (Solntseva St., Kievski district)

Sources: "Russia 24", "NTV" news channels; "Typical Donetsk", a group by & for Donetsk residents in VKontakte (a Russian social network)

 

[Admiral Chekov]

Aftermath of shells fired by Kiev-controlled forces hitting the town of Yasinovataya (Donetsk region) yesterday. As Ukrainian army is being pushed away from Donetsk and Luhansk, their units fire indiscriminately, often targeting civilian areas (not that this differs much from what they've been doing since 2014)

Photos from "Typical Donetsk", a group by & for Donetsk residents in VKontakte (a Russian social network)


On 21.02.2022, two shells fired by Kiev-controlled forces hit a bus stop near the Trudovskaya coal mine (Donetsk republic), killing a miner

Sources: "NTV", "Russia 24" news channels


Donetsk emergency services HQ at work

Source: "Oplot TV" (Donetsk republic)


Photo and video of shells fired by Kiev-controlled forces hitting "Izyum" ("Raisins") supermarket in the Petrovski district of Donetsk yesterday (01.03.2022)

Source: "Typical Donetsk", a group by & for Donetsk residents in VKontakte (a Russian social network)

 

[Admiral Chekov]

Patrick Lancaster follows Russian/DPR units & talks to the locals in Volnovakha

 

[Admiral Chekov]

We're all living in a world that's saying goodbye to truth and objectivity. Perhaps, forever. Therefore, in my opinion, creativity becomes one of the most important/precious things. I'm talking of things we put together, instead of destroying stuff. Of something that we actually add to global culture, instead of deconstructing/defacing things created by someone else. You cannot totally fake creativity, and it can act as a beacon in the murkiest of times (although, of course, it can't show the way 100% percent)

No doubt, songs and verses will be written about events in Ukraine. Some of them will be translated to English (especially those, that fall in line with the Western media's viewpoint). Quite possibly, you'll come across those works. But, while reading them, try to remember - Donetsk and Luhansk were there first, by many years. Here are verses by Irina Bykovskaya-Vyazovaya, written on 3rd September 2014. They're about the town of Gorlovka (Donetsk republic), which had been repeatedly shelled for many years (and, yeah, the locals know perfectly well from whose side the shells are being fired... none of this "cloaked bird of prey firing at their own" crap). Irina is very popular in Donetsk and Luhansk, but, as far as I know, noone's bothered to translate her works to English so far (so much for the omnipotent Russian propaganda)

Anyway, here's my attempt. It conveys the basic meaning, at any rate


War strikes at the center and the outskirts
Of my Gorlovka, of my turtledove.
At the houses, at the tree branches,
At the wives and the little kids...
War strikes at hopes and dreams,
It hits at the souls with blunt tools of despair,
Turning you into a ruin, a monstrosity,
My Gorlovka, my Motherland.
War hits you to the death, without pity or measure;
It hits you for your truth, and for your faith.
Its fangs hold you by your gentle throat,
My Gorlovka, my sunshine dove.
But the cursed war doesn't realise -
You're beautiful, even crucified.
Your souls burn like a candle in God's sight,
Every one of them, grown-up and child.
We're one family, sharing bread and water,
Sharing common pain and misfortune.
Tortured by days, hours and minutes,
We're Donbass, we're all brothers and sisters.
Our brothers stand fast for each other,
They won't bow to war, won't shatter.
We're losing our life, homes and things,
But we hold on to hope and love.
We believe - Donbass will rebuild,
Will again rest under the blanket of gardens!
And we'll revive, to the last outskirts,
The town of Gorlovka.
Our turtledove soul.

(3rd September 2014)


Here's an actress from one of Donetsk People's Republic's theaters, singing/reciting this poem 2 years ago:

 

[sillygoose]

We're all living in a world that's saying goodbye to truth and objectivity. Perhaps, forever. Therefore, in my opinion, creativity becomes one of the most important/precious things. I'm talking of things we put together, instead of destroying stuff. Of something that we actually add to global culture, instead of deconstructing/defacing things created by someone else. You cannot totally fake creativity, and it can act as a beacon in the murkiest of times (although, of course, it can't show the way 100% percent)

We never have lived in a world of truth and objectivity. We are just realizing more how pervasive lies and propaganda are. I mean have you never heard of the Creel Commission during WW1? Or Black Propaganda? This shit is as old as time.
Thanks to social media and the internet we've been exposed to more contrary opinions and video of what is actually going on than ever before, but now the various state and non-state actors interested in pushing narratives and propaganda have figured out how to game that. So it only seems like we've abandoned truth when the reality is we've just had a short window where some truth started getting out to the masses only for the ruling classes to try and slam that shut ASAP.

 

[Admiral Chekov]

05.03.2022. Aftermath of shells fired by retreating Kiev-controlled forces exploding near school #116, Donetsk, Petrovski district, 1 Samarskaya St

Source: "Typical Donetsk", a group by & for Donetsk residents in VKontakte (a Russian social network)

 

[Captain X]

Seems to me, recently Ukrainian soldiers exposed the fact that they were sheltering in schools, which is to say one of them was an idiot and took a selfie in one and posted it on social media, where it was seen by Russia, in part thanks to Reddit.

 

[Admiral Chekov]

Seems to me, recently Ukrainian soldiers exposed the fact that they were sheltering in schools, which is to say one of them was an idiot and took a selfie in one and posted it on social media, where it was seen by Russia, in part thanks to Reddit.

Well, actually, there's quite a lot of footage of Ukrainian armour taking positions inbetween school buildings, etc. That's not the biggest problem, since the schools are closed. Ukrainian tanks, rocket launchers, etc also tend to "hug" populated blocks of flats. This tactics appears to be popular among the units made of ultra-nationalists

 

[Agent23]

Do you have any concrete proof aliens aren't there either?
FYI being a member of a mercenary organization not allowed under international law is illegal for Polish citizens according to Polish law.
Meanwhile in international law:

Are Mercenaries Legal? - Laws101.com

For many people, the profession remains somewhat of a mystery. Is mercenaries legal? This article will explore the answer to this question in depth.

laws101.com

Poland–Russia relations (Polish: Stosunki polsko-rosyjskie, Russian: Российско-польские отношения) have a long and often turbulent history, dating to the late Middle Ages, when the Kingdom of Poland and Kievan Rus' and later Grand Duchy of Moscow struggled over control of their borderlands.[clarification needed][citation needed] Over centuries, there have been several Polish–Russian Wars, with Poland once occupying Moscow and later Russia controlling much of Poland in the 19th as well as in the 20th century, damaging relations. Polish–Russian relations entered a new phase following the fall of communism, 1989–1993. Since then, Polish–Russian relations have at times seen both improvement and deterioration. According to a 2013 BBC World Service poll, 19% of Poles view Russia's influence positively while 49% express a negative view.

However, since the Russian annexation of Crimea, over 60-80% of Poles are worried about future conflict with Russia, given the fact Russia maintains control in Kaliningrad Oblast.[1]

Source: Wikipedia

So basically 81% of your population didn't see Russia positively even before this latest bout of sabre rattling.

Your history with them is well known, also most of the time when I collide with a pro-Ukrainian/Russia hater on the net it is a Pole.

 

[Floridaman]

Well, actually, there's quite a lot of footage of Ukrainian armour taking positions inbetween school buildings, etc. That's not the biggest problem, since the schools are closed. Ukrainian tanks, rocket launchers, etc also tend to "hug" populated blocks of flats. This tactics appears to be popular among the units made of ultra-nationalists

Makes sense, use them as shelter and if They are attacked you get free footage of war crimes to accuse your enemy of.

 

[Agent23]

Makes sense, use them as shelter and if They are attacked you get free footage of war crimes to accuse your enemy of.

Yeah, well the USA loves to dronestrike shit out of the blue, so the US public is accustomed to be disgusted by one of their geniuses hitting a school.
Meanwhile, I am pretty sure that most sane people would close their schools and kindergartens if their country is at war, and evacuate children to the countryside or at least out of the immediate combat area.

 

[Floridaman]

Yeah, well the USA loves to dronestrike shit out of the blue, so the US public is accustomed to be disgusted by one of their geniuses hitting a school.
Meanwhile, I am pretty sure that most sane people would close their schools and kindergartens if their country is at war, and evacuate children to the countryside or at least out of the immediate combat area.

I mean if you closed schools because they are in a war zone, then Detroit and Chicago would have no schools at all.

 

[Agent23]

I mean if you closed schools because they are in a war zone, then Detroit and Chicago would have no schools at all.

Knowing what I now know about those places that will improve the erudition, IQ and job prospects of the pupils thus affected.

I mean, Tim "Subverse Beanie" Phool dropped out of the Chiraq school system and he frankly sounds both smarter than average and gets more money than average.(Or maybe it was Detroit, I don't remember where he is from.)

 

[Admiral Chekov]

Another piece by Irina Bykovskaya-Vyazovaya (a translation from Russian). She was born in Ukraine (then part of the USSR). She worked as a teacher of Russian language and literature. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russian language became undesirable in Ukraine, so she acquired a new profession - a nurse. Since the beginning of the Donbass conflict in 2014, she spends a lot of time in Donetsk and Luhansk, helping civilians



They lie there -

A rebuke

To all the living.

Even in death, still holding hands.

A gray-haired lady and her grandsons.

Both she and they were born in wartime...

And hardened men can't help but howl in tears.

You bite your fists again, to quench the pain.

And salty grief burns in your eyes.

And Heavens groan above your head...

They lie, like soldiers, where they fell.

Like a barrier to our common madness.

They tried to cling to life in hell,

Donbass' grandmothers and young lads...

Above their graves will flicker falling stars,

Trees will be wringing hand-like branches,

And all those victims - sons, old women, kids,

One day will bring God in our souls as a judge.

(2nd February, 2015)



My attempt at translating from Russian a poem by Vladislav Rusanov

Vladislav Rusanov is a Fantasy writer, a candidate of technical sciences. He is also known for translations of fantasy and romantic poetry into Russian. Formerly a Ukrainian citizen, he now identifies with the Donetsk People's Republic. When the DPR proclaimed itself as an independent state from Ukraine, he expressed support of the breakaway republic, and became one of the founders of the Donetsk People's Republic Writers' Union. Vladislav lives in Donetsk

I want to wake up with you, my nose against your nape;

The wind - a sad prankster - howls in stovepipe's bends.

My green-eyed wonder. The aroma of cinnamon and coffee;

I'd love to be born next to you, one misty morning.

Crossed swords over the fireplace, coals tinged with ashes;

Bread with cumin and chilliness, white candles all gone out.

What if I skip work today? Let the blizzard hide the paths.

Your voice is hoarse from cold again, I'll be as shy as a lad.

I will be utterly truthful, I don't play painful sports;

I'll be singing you of a world that has forgotten wars.

Where unicorns roam about, where winds sway the silky grasslands;

Where elders are wise and solemn, and rivers flow onwards grandly.

Where, without fear, does and deers come to the village edges;

Where my lips are unskilled, where parting is out of the question.

Where foes don't look for a duel, where there's no hatred at all;

Nor is there grief or sadness, and the swords hang crossed on the wall.

Where time is measured in stitches, where spirits haunt forests dim;

Where guards cannot be bought, and a publican's without sin.

Where I limp ahead to meet you, over the heady-dewed blossoms;

Swaying from love and blissful, hugging your tender shoulders...

But the wind keeps on howling around the rusty stovepipe's twists:

"All lies. Don't believe him... Listen, such lands don't exist!"

Here, knights have been slain by a swamp-hag; minstrels are sputtering blood;

A princess is dying slowly, to the tune of snowswept chords.

But, delaying the clock hands, so ostentatiously merry;

Foolishly; aimlessly; vainly, I'll tell you lies forever.

(2015)


Both these poems (and the one from my earlier post) are from the book "The Hour of Bravery: Donbass' Poetry, 2014-2015". The guy on the cover reminds of A. S. Pushkin, a famous 19th century Russian poet

 

[WolfBear]

Fun fact: Donbass has its own spinoff version of McDonald's known as DonMak:

 

[Admiral Chekov]

Today (14.03.2022) Kiev-controlled forces fired OTR-21 ballistic missile at the center of Donetsk. The missile was shot down but a few of its detachable explosive packages hit the streets. There are also reports of accompanying artillery shelling. About 20 people reported dead at the moment, including children
The very center of Donetsk was previously subjected to shelling in 2014-15

As Ukrainian nationalist units amassed near Donetsk and Luhansk are being pushed back, they dig in in towns and villages, using civilians as cover

Sources: "Russia 24" news channel; "Typical Donetsk" a group by & for Donetsk residents in VKontakte (a Russian social network)

 

[Admiral Chekov]

An attempt at translating (from Russian) of verses by Dmitry Tribushny

D. Tribushny was born on April 3, 1975 in Donetsk. He graduated from the Philological Faculty of Donetsk National University. Later, he finished Odessa Theological Seminary. He's a clergyman. Dmitry has written several books of poetry: "Under A Different Rain" (2004), "Provincial Poems" (2010), "White Book" (2010), "Handmade Clouds" (2013). Also, he is the editor of the Donetsk diocesan magazine. Dmitry lives in Donetsk



Ring on, Donbass the Promised,


To the highest heights.


Prophets talked of manna -


But, snow arrived.


Hold fast, innocent city,


Where every frame


Was tested by "Grads' " rocket-spitting,


Christened by flame.


The Gates have angels for an hour


Wide open pushed.


Blaze on, Donetsk eternal -


My Burning Bush.


(November, 2014)