Yanukovych's seven steps which page James Sherr summarizes page Letters from angels: volunteers page increase Kremlin hopes of 15 years of the distinctive bring smiles and support to swallowing Ukraine 12 NATO-Ukraine partnership 16 children with cancer 30

№ 13 (36) august 2012

www.ukrainianweek.com for free distribution Featuring selected content from The Economist

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Teno Näätämo Paatsjoki Jakobselv briefing focus Tuloma

Oulanka Torne Kemijoki Oulujoki A Petty Traitor, After New Climate Era: Jönisjoki Less Continental: Tohmajoki Lake Saimaa Hiitolanjoki Vuoksi Lake Ladoga Narva

Klarälven Peipus (Lake Chudskoye) All: Why Volodymyr Global warming may boost or Gauja Salaca Why should Ukrainians Glama Daugava Lake Vänern Venta Lake Vättern Foyle Barta Sventoji Lielupe Erne Bann Neman

Elbe Oder Vi ula Ems Hamburg Pregolya Lytvyn signs the damage Ukraine’s economy. Am erdam take care of their water Rotterdam London Rhine Meuse Rheindelta Scheldt

Dnipro Don Bodensee the Alps notorious language Everything depends on how quickly Dni er supply? Lake Geneva Lake Balaton Cogilnic Psou Sava Danube Black Sea River Çoruh Soča Mino ВенеціяVenice Po Krka Lima Neretva I anbulСтамбул Ukraine adjusts to the climate Duoro Rona law Drin Evros Ebro Struma Ne os Vardar Vjosë Tagus СередземноморськийMediterranean Basin басейн change Guadiana

Increased Possible rise in sea-levels; Change in ecosy em Area of climate change Climate change precipitation city under threat of flooding 4 Decreased 6 8 Negative agricultural in Europe precipitation Impa on mountain areas Permafro today change

Wildfire Melting glacier Permafro in 2050 Compiled by the ZOI Environment Network, July 2011 Politics Data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) adapted for the Second Assessment of Transboundary Rivers, Lakes and Groundwaters. UNECE, 2011 Boundary Conditions: Trotting Towards Putin: The idea of planet-wide The seven steps of Viktor Yanukovych environmental boundaries, that give hope to the Kremlin to beyond which humanity would swallow Ukraine. Projections that go at its peril, is gaining ground would be better never coming true 10 12 security Away From the Public James Sherr Operation Self- Eye: The new law on summarizing 15 years Destruct? public procurement will of a distinctive Authorities are conceal the scale of public partnership between resolutely weakening funds distribution to pro- NATO and Ukraine the state’s defense capacity government businesses 14 16 18 ECONOMICS Investigation A Homeless Generation: Unwelcome Guests at the UNESCO-Ukraine: The ruling political forces Inn: Protecting speculate on the housing Entities linked to Ukrainian issue with an eye on the Yanukovych have their eyes historical heritage upcoming elections on yet another historical from Ukrainians 20 monument in Kyiv 24 authorities? 27 Society history Vitamin L for Kids: Letters from Angels: Firsthand Marek Michalak, Poland’s Volunteers bring Experience of the Ombudsman for Children, happiness and KGB’s “Refinement”: talks about an upbringing support to children Memoirs without corporal with cancer of dissident Vasyl punishment 28 30 Lisoviy 34 culture & arts The Khersones Betrayal: Graphic Novels: In July 1942, the soviet In spite of their rapid development in command shamefully retreated Ukraine, comic books rarely capture from Sevastopol, leaving its wide public attention. The Ukrainian defenders to the mercy of fate Week finds out why this is the case 38 42 navigator The Best 8 Roles Cave People: of Bohdan Stupka What about Tepe-Kermen, a lost town in the Crimean mountains, has lured inhabitants for many centuries

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The Ukrainian Week № 13 (36) August 2012 Mailing address: PO Box 2, Kyiv, 03067 Founder: ECEM Media Ukraine LLC Publisher: The Ukrainian Week LLC Publisher address: vul. Mashynobudivna 37, Kyiv 03067 Ukraine First published in January 2010 E-mail: [email protected], Tel.: (044) 351-1300 State registration certificate 16412-4884P of March 13, 2010 www.ukrainianweek.com Bohdan Andriytsev, Director, ECEM Media Ukraine LLC Print: The Novy Druk, LLC, 1 Mahnitohorska Str. Serhiy Lytvynenko, Editor-in-Chief, The Ukrainian Week Ordering number: 12-5481. Print run: 15,000 Natalia Romanec, Shaun Williams, Editors; Sent to print on 2 August 2012 Anna Korbut, Translator Free distribution № 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|3 briefing| 19 July 20 July 25 July The economic part of Top EU officials say that the Oleksandr Yaroshenko, head the Association Agree- Association Agreement with of the united opposition’s of- ment between Ukraine Ukraine cannot be signed fice in Donetsk Oblast, reports and the EU is initialed in due to the backtracking of a surge of repression against Brussels democracy in Ukraine opposition forces in his region A Petty Traitor, After All

Author: fter Volodymyr Lytvyn filed his resignation as lows him to get through to the next convocation of Oles Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada (VR), suppos- parliament (apparently, administrative leverage will Oleksiyenko, edly in protest against the passing of the lan- also help him win in his constituency in Zhytomyr Oleksandr Aguage law in violation of the procedure, there Oblast now). However, this means that Mr. Lytvyn Mykhelson were only two options for him. One was to completely will now turn into a politician who is completely un- block any version of the law. In that case, he would der the control of the government which will drop enter into an open conflict with the Party of Regions, him at the first opportunity. but the move could bring him a lengthy political ca- Needless to say, Mr. Lytvyn is offering excuses, but his reer as a prudent politician in the future. The other arguments now appear ridiculous. “If you take the was to find a convenient move for his image which is Constitution and the parliamentary procedure, the extremely important for a candidate running in a VR Speaker only has responsibilities and no rights,” Ukrainian-speaking constituency, while subtly play- he told journalists on July 31 after the meeting of his ing into the hands of the Party of Regions. On July People’s Party. “If parliament does not approve any 30, the VR took a vote of confidence on Mr. Lytvyn recommendations made by the Speaker, he is obliged and did not accept his resignation, after which, he to immediately sign the law submitted for his signa- signed the scandalous language law sponsored by ture.” A day earlier, when the VR rejected his letter of Party of Regions’ MPs Kolesnichenko and Kivalov. resignation, the Party of Regions and their allies did Thus, Mr. Lytvyn chose the second scenario. It al- indeed reject Mr. Lytvyn’s amendments to the lan-

The month 19 July 1971 21 July 1882 22 July 1942 in history Vitali Klitschko, Ukrainian David Burliuk, Futur- The Wehrmacht completes boxer and politician, is born ist painter and poet the occupation of Ukraine of Cossack descend, as the soviet army retreats is born in Ukraine from Sverdlovsk, Luhansk Oblast

4|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 |briefing 27 July 28 July 31 July 1 August The Kyiv Prosecutor cancels Ukrainian football player Speaker Lytvyn signs the The Ukrainian women’s the order of the tax authori- Andriy Shevchenko ends notorious language law and quadruple scull team ties to open a criminal case his sports career and forwards it for Viktor Yanu- win the country’s first- against the Director General joins Natalia Korolevs- kovych’s signature ever gold medal in row- of TVi, Mykola Kniazhytsky ka’s Ukraine-Forward ing at the Olympics guage law. Still, journalists wanted to hear when ex- actly he was going to sign it, while he continued to tell Transit to Asiope them tall tales about submitting his proposals for the protection of the Ukrainian language to the president On July 30, the Verkhovna Rada hastily ratified the CIS Free Trade and not signing the law before he gets an answer from Zone agreement (CIS FTZ). It can bring some benefits for Ukraine, Mr. Yanukovych. “I think this will happen in the next but at the same time, it creates extra risks on its course towards eco- few days,” he finally squeezed out. Two hours later, nomic integration with the EU. Among other things, it entails sanc- parliament’s press-service reported that Mr. Lytvyn tions against a CIS FTZ member-state that enters into new trade had signed the law. There was no answer from the deals, which can cause losses to other member-states. president regarding his recommendations. This One of the biggest problems for Russia in its trade relations with makes the whole “to sign or not to sign” story look like Ukraine is the re-export of goods from third countries, including Eu- a well-designed “convenient move by Mr. Lytvyn”. rope, if the Ukraine-EU FTA comes into effect. However, Ukrainian Even if articles 48 and 131 of the VR Procedure de- experts say that this issue can be solved through bilateral agreements. mand that he sign the law after parliament has re- Another problem for the Kremlin is the potential increase of Ukrai- jected his amendments, the blatant violations of the nian exports to Russia, resulting from upgraded production facilities, procedure during the voting for the law, remain. should the Ukrainian economy adapt to European standards. More- Thus, Mr. Lytvyn has essentially supported the anti- over, China is also interested in increasing investment into Ukraine if Ukrainian act and given the green light to illegiti- the latter draws closer to European norms. However, this runs coun- mate actions, which has become common for the cur- ter to Russia’s key geo-economic interest of being the regional leader rent parliament. on post-soviet territory, as well as leading and actually gaining the Mr. Lytvyn’s potential voters would probably like to most benefit from the development of cooperation with the EU. The know the motives for this move. Sources confirm that Kremlin actively supports the expansion of its exporters and strategic the speaker was threatened with the reopening of the investors into FSU markets because it is interested in getting access Gongadze case and changing his status from witness to the significant natural and human resources of CIS countries and to the accused. The lawyers surveyed by The Ukrai- earning profits from financial deals. Russia is doing its best towin nian Week say this is difficult to do under the effec- anything, competing with the EU and China for the region’s major tive Code of Criminal Procedures, but the prosecutor markets, primarily that of Ukraine. does not seem to care about following procedure. Russia’s economic and geopolitical interests are closely intertwined. Neither does the Verkhovna Rada. Ukraine’s accelerated economic integration with the EU, with NATO The motivation that encouraged the MPs from Mr. as its central element, is extremely inconvenient for the Kremlin, since Lytvyn’s party to vote for the language law was actu- it could lead to the expansion of cooperation with the EU in the secu- ally revealed on July 30 when the Party of Regions rity sphere. After all, the decisive interest of the Russian government, disclosed its party list for the election, and on July 31 as well as the political and business elite, is to preserve the existing when Mr. Lytvyn’s People’s Party had its meeting. “state-capitalist” economic and political model. Any transformation Three MPs from the Lytvyn Block in the VR, includ- of its neighbour-states based on European models could increase the ing Sharov, Zarubinskyi and Vashchuk, ended up in domestic political imbalance in Russia. positions that would take them to parliament on the Party of Region’s list. So did oligarch Vasyl Khmel- For more details on the benefits and drawbacks of CIS FTZ nytskyi. According to some sources, he sponsored see ukrainianweek.com Mr. Lytvyn’s party in the previous parliamentary election and still has influence on his parliamentary EXPERT OPINION faction. The People’s Party meeting revealed that it is Viktor Nebozhenko, political analyst not going to run under an election list. Supposedly, it CIS FTZ ratification is a purely propaganda-oriented move does not have adequate funds. As a result, all dele- which, along with the passing of the law to grant Russian the status of a regional official language, is aimed at showing the gates agreed to nominate all 69 candidates in single- pro-Russian voters that the Party of Regions and its allies are member constituencies only. However, only about ten keeping their election promises. However, just like the 2010 of them have a chance to get through to the VR. They Kharkiv deals extending the stationing of the Russian Black Sea are all current MPs who voted for the language law fleet in Crimea in exchange for a discount in the gas price, CIS and have sufficient resources, including no doubt, FTZ will not have the expected result. Very soon, we are likely to witness FTZ mem- also administrative ones from now on. bers impose huge fines on ill-disciplined Ukrainian businesses.

27 July 1834 30 July 1863 3 August 1775 5 August 1844 St. Volodymyr University, Pyotr Valuyev issues the Catherine the Great issues Ilya Repin, the most now known as the Taras Valuyev Circular that a manifest to officially renowned Russian Shevchenko University, one forbids most religious and liquidate the Zaporizhzhian painter and sculptor of of the best universities in school publications in the Cossacks Ukrainian origin, is born Ukraine, opens in Kyiv Ukrainian language in Kharkiv Province

№ 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|5 focus|climate change The New Climate Era Global warming could have both a negative and a positive impact on Ukraine, depending on whether its economy will be able to adapt to climate change in a timely manner

Author: n the verge of the 20th doubled over the past two decades tions. Agricultural output will de­ Oleksandr and 21st centuries, man­ compared to earlier periods. cline, while its share in GDP will Horyn kind has faced the chal­ In addition to visible disas­ drop by several percent in the long Olenge of global climate ters, climate adjustment affects term. In addition to insect–pests, change, caused by global warm­ various areas of life, from agricul­ the amount of which is boosted by ing that kicked off back in the ture and economy to demography, the warming, fertile soil can be late 19th century. In the past, the the social system and interna­ damaged by erosion and desertifi­ Holocene – the geological epoch tional relations. cation, as a result of the microcli­ we have lived in since the last ice The climate in Ukraine largely mate becoming more arid. age – saw many temperature changes in line with the global Currently, Ukrainian agricul­ shifts towards cooling and warm­ pace. At this point, Ukraine is not ture is not responding to climate ing. The reasons causing these among the countries most vulner­ change properly, as it is choosing changes varied from fluctuations able to the global dynamics of cli­ the easiest way. To minimize the in solar activity and Earth’s orbit mate change, reports the UN inter­ losses caused by natural disasters, to volcanic activity and the national group of experts. How­ many farms are switching to grow­ greenhouse effect. After all, cli­ ever, a permanent rise in the ing technical plants that are less mate is a complex system that average annual temperature may vulnerable to bad weather. As a re­ can change, even without exter­ result in dramatic transformations sult, the area under rapeseed crops nal factors affecting it, following in a vast part of Ukraine’s physical being grown instead of wheat and its own stable internal cycles. and climatic landscape. The Car­ vegetables is increasing signifi­ However, in the view of most pathian, Southern and South-East­ cantly, particularly in Crimea and researchers, current climate ern regions of Ukraine will be the the Odesa, Mykolayiv and Kherson changes are caused by the green­ most vulnerable. A rise in humid­ Oblasts. In 2008, Ukraine was the house effect. In its turn, the ity resulting in flooding is pro­ top European country for area greenhouse effect is the result of jected for the Carpathian area, planted with rapeseed which, excessive man-made CO2 emis­ while Southern and South-Eastern along with sunflower, covered 1/5 sions into the atmosphere. In fact, Ukraine may experience lengthy of the total area under crops. Ex­ other factors causing global cli­ droughts and desertification of perts have already categorized mate change have not gone any­ vast territories. rapeseed as an environmental where: for instance, a higher scale Ukrainian researchers believe weapon against Ukraine, exhaust­ volcanic eruption could trigger yet that the country’s climate has al­ ing the fields and turning chorno- another cooling period as it often ready become less continental and zem, the fertile black soil, into the has in the past. Still, the human is growing more similar to an oce­ lands that can no longer be farmed. factor that interferes with natural anic climate in some areas. These As a result of the droughts that processes has changed that model transformations have triggered a have become common in Eastern significantly. The question re­ shift of climate zones that are Ukraine in recent years, the mains, as to how much human slowly moving northward and are growth of vegetables, especially impact is limited by the frame­ changing the natural system as potatoes, beetroots, cucumbers work, referred to as the planetary they destroy natural ecosystems. and cabbage has shrunk, thus af­ boundaries by researchers, and The forest-steppe parts of Ukraine fecting the population’s food sup­ how significant the changes will are no longer considered to be ply. Cabbage, potato, sugar and be. Even though the average evenly humidified areas. buckwheat “crises” that have oc­ global temperature has increased All these transformation have curred now and then during in by an unprecedented 0.8ºС in the been affecting various areas of life past two decades, have been a wor­ last hundred years, although there in Ukraine for a while now. Their rying signal, against the backdrop was also severe cooling in the effect is particularly visible in agri­ of the expected increased deterio­ past, experts suggest that it could culture, which accounts for over ration in the world food situation. grow by another 1.5-2.0ºС by 8% of Ukraine’s GDP. Despite op­ Socio-economic troubles and the 2050, heavily affected by the hu­ timistic expert projections of bet­ vulnerability of the agricultural man impact on the climate. ter grain crops in the case of mild sector to the world market will As it adapts to a permanent warming, the expected rapid rise make the rural population particu­ temperature rise, the climate sys­ of the average annual temperature larly sensitive to the consequences tem responds to the changes with will have a disastrous impact on of climate change. natural disasters. According to re­ Ukrainian agriculture, if it fails to Global warming will have a searchers, their number has almost adapt itself to new climate condi­ heavy impact on the water supply, 6|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 climate change|focus primarily drinking water, in the Experts add migration and hu­ the government to make adjust­ most arid areas. Crimea and some manitarian problems to the list of ments to climate change nation­ Southern oblasts of Ukraine are al­ socio-political risks of natural wide and locally, also prevent the ready suffering from a shortage of transformations. Researchers an­ worst case scenarios. In Novem­ good quality water, and the prob­ ticipate that global warming will ber 2010, the National Security lem of the increase in the annual make part of currently inhabited and Defense Council drafted a temperature will aggravate this. territories unsuitable for habita­ plan of adjustment to climate The quality of surface water, espe­ tion, and provoke greater migra­ change for 2011-2013, but it cially in shallow rivers, could also tion flows to other places, includ­ would require multi-billion in­ worsen, which will lead to the ing Ukraine. Meanwhile, internal vestments for implementation, spread of infections. migration is also possible, with which is not provided for in the In social terms, climate change people from Southern and Eastern state budget. will disproportionately affect peo­ Ukraine, suffering from a short­ ple with a low income, having the age of water and droughts, Teno Näätämo heaviest impact on socially vulner­ moving to central and Paatsjoki able groups with limited access to western oblasts. Jakobselv energy, water and a good quality This challenge re­ Tuloma food supply, as well as other ser­ quires a comprehen­ vices, including healthcare. sive response from

Oulanka Torne Kemijoki Oulujoki

Jönisjoki Tohmajoki Lake Saimaa Hiitolanjoki Vuoksi Lake Ladoga Narva

Klarälven Peipus (Lake Chudskoye) Gauja Salaca Glama Daugava Lake Vänern Venta Lake Vättern Foyle Barta Sventoji Lielupe Erne Bann Neman

Elbe Oder Vi ula Ems Hamburg Pregolya Am erdam Rotterdam London Rhine Meuse Rheindelta Scheldt

Dnipro Don Bodensee the Alps Dni er Lake Geneva Lake Balaton Cogilnic Psou Sava Danube Black Sea River Çoruh Soča Mino ВенеціяVenice Po Krka Lima Neretva I anbulСтамбул Duoro Rona Drin Evros Ebro Struma Ne os Vardar Vjosë Tagus СередземноморськийMediterranean Basin басейн Guadiana

Increased Possible rise in sea-levels; Change in ecosy em Area of climate change Climate change precipitation city under threat of flooding Decreased Negative agricultural in Europe precipitation Impa on mountain areas Permafro today change

Wildfire Melting glacier Permafro in 2050 Compiled by the ZOI Environment Network, July 2011 Data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) adapted for the Second Assessment of Transboundary Rivers, Lakes and Groundwaters. UNECE, 2011 № 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|7 focus|climate change Less Continental Global warming is making Ukraine’s climate more oceanic

Interviewer: house gas. Moreover, the World Olena Maksymenko Ocean can heavily affect the plan­ et’s thermal regime by enhancing he apocalyptic projections of or neutralizing the warming. The some global warming experts thing is that a lot of greenhouse are being confirmed by real gases are dissolved in the ocean Tdisasters in Ukraine, such as and these can be released into the storms and heavy rains previously atmosphere as the temperature unseen. The Ukrainian Week rises. Aggravated and enhanced by asks Svitlana Boichenko, a Senior human factors, natural global Researcher at the Serafim Subbo­ warming has tilted and catalyzed tin Geophysics Institute of Uk­ some natural processes. raine’s National Academy of Sci­ ences, how climate change will af­ UW: How has Ukraine’s climate fect Ukraine. changed over the past few years? – Global warming drove sig­ UW: To what extent is climate nificant climate change in Ukraine change brought about by natural in the 20th century. The planetary or human factors? temperature rise over the past 100 – There has always been a years was 0.7-0.8°С while greenhouse effect in the atmo­ Ukraine’s temperature rose by ap­ sphere caused by gases such as proximately 0.6°С. But Ukraine carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous has some regional disparities in oxide, tropospheric ozone and oth­ the way temperature changes are ers. But humans reinforce the ef­ distributed across its territory. fects of these natural processes as Northern and North-Eastern we use fossil fuels. We know this is Ukraine have experienced the having an impact because the highest temperature rise of planet has never seen such swift 1-1.2°С, while the average rise for warming before. We are talking the South was 0.3-0.4 and up to about lengthy periods when the 0.5°С. Thus, a kind of leveling of climate system enters warming or the thermal-climatic field oc­ cooling phases. Today, we seem to curred. These are yearly figures. As be entering yet another of these for seasonal changes, Ukraine has Svitlana 100 years by approximately 5-10%, little climatic optimums – a period undergone visible warming in win­ Boichenko, which is within the random mar­ of warming that can last approxi­ ters and slower, if any, changes a Senior gin of error. Yet, it has changed by mately 200-225 years. Yet, the hu­ during summer months. Some Researcher at region. Northern and northwest­ man factor has exacerbated these weather stations have even noted the Geophysics ern oblasts used to be areas of ex­ Institute: natural shifts. Nature has contrib­ slight cooling. This is due to either "The climate in cessive moisture with swampy uted just 1/3 of the outcome, while the landscape or the specifics of North-Eastern parts. Over the past 100 years, the 2/3 of the effect comes from hu­ weather processes. In the general Ukraine will amount of rainfall there has de­ mans. Human impact catalyzes statistics, shifts to extreme tem­ grow more arid clined by 10-15%. The central part other mechanisms and facilitates peratures, from long hot periods to while of the country has barely seen any natural processes. long cold periods, are notable. North-Western change, while the amount of rain­ For instance, warming is much parts will have fall has risen by 10-15% in the more intense in the permafrost- UW: Are the amounts of rainfall more humidity" south and southeast. So, I wouldn’t covered area of the Northern different now, too? Can you say talk of any significant rise in hu­ Hemisphere (the rise in tempera­ that humidity is rising? midity. ture in high latitude areas is 2-30С – It’s an important factor, es­ per 100 years) causing these terri­ pecially for agriculture and fresh UW: How do these changes affect tories to degrade and become water. The amount of rainfall has plants? swamps. As a result, swamps re­ increased slightly throughout the – They have a positive effect lease methane, a powerful green­ territory of Ukraine over the past on the whole, but because higher 8|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 climate change|focus ecosystems. This includes all C3 UW: Storms have become more category plants, including virtually common in Ukraine lately. What all agricultural varieties, as well as causes this? grasses and trees. Moreover, these – There are several reasons for plants become less vulnerable to this. First of all, global warming temperature and rainfall fluctua­ and the planet’s unbalanced cli­ tions as the amount of CO2 dou­ matic system may cause perturba­ bles. tion and catalyze a slew of danger­ ous natural processes. But that is UW: What is projected for the not yet a proven fact. Less Continental near future? Is a change of The second scenario is that Global warming is making Ukraine’s climate more oceanic Ukraine’s climatic zone a realistic these storms are accidental. If we scenario? look back a thousand years, we see – Based on scenario assess­ similar disasters mentioned in ear­ temperatures mean more evapora­ ments, the temperature will rise lier chronicles. tion, this increased rainfall may 1.5-2.5 oC if current developments The third scenario is that we not be visible in the southern part persist. This will not have an ex­ think storms have become more Over the past 100 of the country as it quickly evapo­ years Ukraine’s treme impact on Ukraine. Yet, common because they receive con­ rates into the atmosphere. Re­ temperature rose other scenarios suggest a 3-4 oC stant media coverage now. This is search conducted over the course by approximately temperature rise. If that happens, a complex issue and we’ve tried to of several years on the Ukrainian 0.6°С. mathematical models and paleo­ make some progress on it and Northern steppes by the National Academy and North-Eastern climate reconstructions project draw up some reliable statistics. of Sciences’ Botanic Institute has Ukraine have that Southeastern and Eastern We looked at records in historical shown that moisture loving plants experienced the Ukraine may become deserts. manuscripts and analyzed the evi­ highest temperature aside from feather grass are ex­ rise of Ukraine has a temperate conti­ dence preserved in monasteries panding in Southern and South- nental climate. The current warm­ where monks carefully noted ev­ 1-1.2°С, Eastern Ukraine. while the average ing will bring it closer to an oceanic erything. We’ve discovered an in­ Against this backdrop of gen­ rise for the South climate type. Ukraine’s climate is teresting effect: warming periods, erally positive developments, ex­ was not yet oceanic, but it is growing as well as cooling periods, catalyze treme precipitation is intensifying, 0.3-0.4 less continental as the amplitude of several unfavourable phenomena. with downpours that are normally seasonal changes evens out. Yet, if They only fade in the pauses be­ typical for mountain areas growing pessimistic scenarios prevail and tween temperature rises and falls more frequent in arid parts of the the temperature rises more than 3 and maybe that’s what is happen­ country. In fact, other regions also °С, the impact may be greater. ing now. face this trend but it has the most Models show that southern and The environmental impact of adverse effect in the south and southeastern regions will become the warming has been aggravated southeast. The Carpathian and more arid while northern and by ruinous human activity. How­ Crimean mountain regions are the northwestern regions will become ever, we could still soften some of most vulnerable to such climate more humid. These growing con­ nature’s damaging processes for change, as well as the Black Sea trasts within the territory of ourselves through improvements and the Sea of Azov coastlines be­ Ukraine are unfavourable, yet they in agriculture, urban design and cause of raised sea levels and hu­ are now being mitigated by the cur­ the construction of anti-flood man impact on these areas. They rent pace of warming. dams, among others. also suffer secondary salinization as a result of irrigation and ground sagging as a result of groundwater level changes. HEAT LEAP. 1.5 UW: What impact can all this Temperature deviation from normal have on agriculture? over decades in Ukraine, – With the pace of warming °C observed in the 20th century, the 1 change mostly has a positive im­ pact. The human factor increases

the amount of carbon dioxide in 0 70 0.5 910 950 930 940 19 1 1 1960 the atmosphere, which is one of 192 –1 –1 the elements of photosynthesis that “feeds” plants. Experiments in 1901 1911– 1921– 1931 1941– 1951– 1961– European and American research 0 centers have shown that the dou­ bled amount of CO2 in the atmo­ 10 980 000 20 1990 1 sphere (to 560–600 mn-1) com­ 2 71–

001– -0.5 pared to the pre-industrial era of 19 1981– 2 1750–1850 enhances the yield of 1991– most crops grown agriculturally by almost 15-30% and increases the growth of flora biomass in natural Source: Ukrainian Weather Center -1 № 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|9 focus|climate change Boundary Conditions The idea of planet-wide environmental boundaries, beyond which humanity would go at its peril, is gaining ground

ULL a spring, let it go, and it will snap back into shape. the UN's secretary-general, gave Pull it further and yet fur­ the idea pride of place. And Planet Pther and it will go on spring­ Under Pressure, a big scientific ing back until, quite suddenly, it conference held recently in Lon­ won't. What was once a spring has don, made boundaries central to become a useless piece of curly the message it sent to Rio+20, the wire. And that, in a nutshell, is UN environmental summit that what many scientists worry may opens in Brazil on June 20th. happen to the Earth if its systems are overstretched like those of an Don't fence me in abused spring. Planetary boundaries provide a One result of this worry, in the useful way of thinking about envi­ matter primarily at a local or re­ autumn of 2009, was the idea of ronmental change, because in gional level. The second is that the planetary boundaries. In the run- many cases they give scope for fur­ planetary-boundaries group de­ up to that year's climate conference ther change that has not already rives most of its limits by looking in Copenhagen a group of con­ happened. That has brought the at conditions during the Holo­ cerned scientists working under concept friends who are not nor­ cene—the epoch since the end of the auspices of the Stockholm Re­ mally persuaded by environmen­ Human the most recent ice age, in which silience Centre, in Sweden, defined, tal thinking, as well as green ene­ interference human civilisations have grown in a paper in Nature, what they mies who will brook no compro­ in the way the up. Both of these criticisms have Earth works thought of as a safe operating space mise. But the concept has is now so merit. for human development—a set of numerous drawbacks. The actual great that the For things that clearly do have nine limits beyond which people location of the boundaries is, as Holocene is the springlike quality of shifting should not push their planet. their proponents acknowledge, history and a irreversibly if pulled (or pushed) The nine areas of concern somewhat arbitrary. That is partly truly separate too far, like the collapse of ice were: climate change; ocean acidi­ because of the incomplete state of Anthropocene sheets or the melting of perma­ fication; the thinning of the ozone current knowledge, but it may re­ has dawned frost, a boundary system that layer; intervention in the nitrogen main so however much anyone seeks to stop you getting too close and phosphate cycles (crucial to knows. Some boundaries might be to the threshold seems as sensible plant growth); the conversion of transgressed without irreversible as a safety rail is on a parapet. wilderness to farms and cities; ex­ harm occurring. Some may have There is good reason to believe tinctions; the build up of chemical been drawn around the wrong that parts of the climate do behave pollutants; and the level of partic­ things altogether. And some aca­ this way, and thus need railing off. ulate pollutants in the atmo­ demic opinion holds that spectac­ But of the nine boundaries, only sphere. For seven of these areas ular global change could come three apply to systems where the the paper's authors felt confident about without breaking through boundary setters really believe enough to put numbers on where any of them. there is a global threshold: the cli­ the boundaries actually lay. For The latest criticism comes mate; the acidity of the oceans; chemicals and particulates, they from the Breakthrough Institute, a and the ozone layer. Some of the deferred judgment. determinedly heterodox American other six may have local thresh­ Since then, the idea of plane­ think-tank that focuses on energy olds, but for the most part their tary boundaries has taken root. It and the environment. Among the global effects are simply the aggre­ crops up repeatedly in GEO-5, the points made in a report it pub­ gate of the local ones. United Nations Environment Pro­ lished on June 11th, two stand out. Confusing the two might, in gramme's new assessment of the The first is that the idea of bound­ the Breakthrough Institute's view, world. The High-Level Panel on aries does not focus enough on the result in poor policy. Concern over Global Sustainability, which re­ distinction between things with a planet-wide nitrogen limit, for ported recently to Ban Ki-moon, truly global effects and those that example, could lead to people for­ 10|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 climate change|focus thropocene—the age of man. question: are there good futures Many scientists feel that human outside them? In particular, might interference in the way the Earth it be possible to finesse the most works is now so great that the Ho­ famous boundary of all, the one locene is history and a truly sepa­ governing greenhouse warming rate Anthropocene has dawned. and climate change? The planetary-boundaries idea The planetary-boundaries team, seeks to constrain the Anthropo­ slightly confusingly, defines this cene within the norms of the Ho­ boundary in two different ways. locene. The Breakthrough Insti­ One is a limit on carbon dioxide, the tute, by contrast, argues for order­ main long-lived greenhouse gas, of ing things according to a 350 parts per million (ppm) in the calculation of the needs of human atmosphere. The other is a limit on welfare, rather than just aping “radiative forcing”—the increase in what has happened in the past. energy delivered to the surface of There is no doubt as to which of the Earth over time, largely as a the two approaches is more pru­ consequence of extra greenhouse dent, and prudence always has a gases—of 1 watt per square metre constituency. There is plenty of above pre-industrial levels. Either room for debate as to which is way, the climate boundary is one more plausible, or practical. that already lies squarely in human­ ity's rear-view mirror. This reflects Independence the view of some on the planetary- declaration boundaries team, such as James Another problem for the idea of Hansen of the Goddard Institute for planetary boundaries is the as­ Space Studies, that today's climate sumption that they are indepen­ is already beyond the point which dent of each other. That seems un­ can guarantee long-term survival likely, and if they are not then a for things like the Greenland ice crisis might arise even if no single sheet, the demise of which would going the benefits that fertilisers boundary were transgressed. On raise sea levels by seven metres. offer the poor soils of Africa on ac­ June 7th Nature, which likes to get If the planetary-boundaries count of harm done by their over- its oar in before big international scientists really have got their application in China. powwows like the ones in Copen­ sums right, the greenhouse-gas The institute's other criticism is hagen and Rio, published a review situation looks hopeless. From to­ the implicit assumption that be­ Today's climate of evidence that this may be hap­ day's position of carbon-dioxide cause mankind came of age in the is already pening. It suggested that the Earth levels pushing 400ppm and going Holocene, therefore Holocene con­ beyond the may be approaching a “tipping up about 2ppm a year, a carbon- ditions are optimal for the species point which can point” past which simultaneous dioxide level of 350ppm can be now. There are indeed reasons to guarantee long- changes—to land use, climate and reached only by going to zero believe some aspects of the Holo­ term survival more—driven by an ever larger, emissions and then spending a cene were optimal. It was a time of for things like ever richer human population, long time—centuries, in all likeli­ climatic stability and, in the tem­ the Greenland push the system into a very differ­ hood—sucking CO2 out of the at­ perate regions of the Earth, clem­ ice sheet, the ent state from its present one, mosphere and putting it back un­ demise of ency. The Breakthrough criticism which would with climate zones changed per­ derground by various means. agrees that climate stability is a raise sea levels manently, ecosystems functioning good thing. It points out, though, by seven metres differently, and so on. Force majeure that there is little evidence things A sudden shift is plausible. Greenhouse gases are, however, like the behaviour of the nitrogen Small ecological systems, such as only a problem because of their ef­ cycle or the phosphate cycle in the lakes, often switch states in this fect on radiative forcing. If that Holocene were particularly well- way and there is no obvious rea­ could be reined back inside the suited to humans. The fact that son why a large system like the boundary by other means, then people have used industrial chem­ Earth should not do likewise. And the CO2 limit would no longer istry to short-circuit the nitrogen according to Anthony Barnosky of pertain. And that might be possi­ cycle, by making fertilisers out of the University of California, ble by spraying reflective particles nitrogen in the air at a rate which Berkeley, one of the Nature re­ into the upper atmosphere, to greatly exceeds what natural sys­ view's main authors, a combina­ bounce sunlight back into space. tems can manage, has real environ­ tion of changes, each itself within Such a radical scheme would mental effects. Nitrate-rich run-off, the planetary boundaries, could have all sorts of disturbing side ef­ for example, can wreck the ecology still trigger such a change of state. fects, with political ones quite pos­ of lakes. But if these effects could That would be a bad thing. sibly outweighing environmental be managed, then it is not clear Even if the ultimate result were an ones. It is by no means clearly the that the amount of nitrogen being © 2012 The Earth that is still hospitable to right thing to do. But it might be. drawn out of the air would, of itself, Economist mankind, the transition could be And it certainly serves to show be a problem. Newspaper catastrophic. But the existence of that, although the Earth may have This is, at bottom, an argu­ Limited. All plausible bad futures within the boundaries, thinking about how to ment about the nature of the An­ rights reserved boundaries raises the obverse help it should not. № 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|11 Politics|anti-ukrainian policy of the president Trotting Towards Putin Seven steps Yanukovych has undertaken that increase the Kremlin’s hopes of swallowing up Ukraine

Author: he meeting of Viktor Yanu­ to inevitably lead Ukraine to a his inner circle keeps offering the Oles kovych and Vladimir Putin place where it will no longer be president ideas that he is not in­ Oleksiyenko in Yalta proved that Mr. Pu­ able to withstand Russian pres­ terested in because they do not Ttin is waiting for his Ukrai­ sure. Moscow simply needs to wait improve his electoral score, yet nian peer to lay the necessary until the relevant factors reach a their implementation still works Illustrations: groundwork to transfer Ukraine critical point where Kyiv becomes in the Kremlin’s favor. These in­ Ihor Bezhuk into the Kremlin’s sphere of influ­ vulnerable. Mr. Yanukovych is clude the language law that is fuel­ ence. definitely moving in that direc­ ing a divide in Ukraine, or the way While the Ukrainian Presiden­ tion. Clearly, his self-serving ac­ in which the jailed Yuriy Lutsenko tial Administration claims that it tions ultimately benefit the Krem­ is being treated, which enhances has the situation under control lin. His purposeful march toward the impression in the West that and will manually adjust the coun­ totalitarianism has already iso­ Mr. Yanukovych has chosen a path try’s direction based on a multi- lated him from the West. More­ similar to Belarus’s Lukashenko. vector policy concept, Moscow’s over, the imposition of a Eurasian Given these current develop­ tactics signal that the Kremlin is model of business and govern­ ments, The Ukrainian Week counting on current trends in the ment relations will push local oli­ suggests that a scenario in which Ukrainian government’s domestic garchs closer to Putin. Yet, there is Ukraine falls under Russian control and foreign policies, if continued, the impression that someone in may become a reality very soon.

Increased pressure; violation of democratic freedoms and values il- lustrated by the imprisonment of political opponents; unjustified 1restriction of civil protests and freedom of assembly; growing pres- sure on mass media (the latest facts include criminal cases against lb. ua and the general director of the TVi television channel). Recent trends suggest that all of these elements will grow more visible as the election draws nearer. This path isolates Ukraine from European society and brings it closer to the authoritarian model of a “sovereign democ- racy” similar to that of Russia and Belarus. This will make Ukraine’s inte- gration into Mr. Putin’s new imperialistic project called the Eurasian Union much easier.

Political isolation from the EU and the civilized world re- sulting from the previous step. Yanukovych’s ongoing re- 2 jection of Europe’s demands to pursue democratic values and human rights slowly increases the number of those who support the complete isolation of the current Ukrainian re- gime and will make their position more justified and con- vincing. If the government engages in the radical distor- tion of voting results in October’s elections and crushes the massive protests that are likely to occur in that event, Ukraine risks losing its image as “the single greatest de- mocracy of the CIS” altogether, while Yanukovych may waste the few remaining arguments that still make him dif- ferent from Lukashenka. Undoubtedly, the Kremlin would wel- come the Belarus scenario in Ukraine. The signing of the FTA Economic Association Agreement and the liberal- ized visa regime are merely the EU’s attempts at signaling that its doors re- main open to Ukraine, but only if the government reforms its policies or is changed altogether. In an interview for the Razumkov Center, Jose Manuel Bar- roso, President of the European Commission, and Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, confirmed that the Association Agree- ment cannot come into effect under the current circumstances and “the key to moving forward in our relationship is in Kyiv, not Brussels. Our offer is on the table, as shown by the signing of the Association Agreement. However, the fundamental values needed for political association appear to be absent. It is up to Ukraine to demonstrate its political will by taking clear and concrete steps to reverse the negative trends we have seen since 2010.”

12|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 anti-ukrainian policy of the president|Politics Sharing the neighbour’s culture. The lan- Federalization of Ukraine leading to a potential split. The po- guage law sponsored by Party of Regions MPs litical project called Ukrainian Choice launched by Viktor Med- 3Kolesnichenko and Kivalov, if en- 4vedchuk, whose daughter is a goddaughter of Vladimir Putin, acted, will clear the path for the total is blatantly flaunting pro-Russian slogans and gaining ground with Russification of Ukraine, rather than zero protest from the Presidential Administration. Anatoliy Mohyl- protecting regional languages or sup- iov, the Crimean Premier, is playing along. He initiated the expan- porting a single official language. sion of Crimea’s powers of self-government and the upgrade of the Party of Regions MP Olena Bonda- region’s Constitution to a position of equal status with that of the renko recently demonstrated in Rivne central government in Kyiv. This separatist initiative did not face sig- that speaking Ukrainian was burden- nificant resistance from the president. some to her, thus confirming that the The only benefit of federalization may be broader self-governance. implementation of the language law That is the role of the federal system in most countries that use it. In is necessary so that Russian speakers Ukraine, however, similar initiatives are proposed for a completely do not have to adapt to any other lan- different purpose, serving instead as a tool for preserving inter-re- guage. The Russian government and Pu- gional differences and disparities, enhancing the effect of “broken tin himself have openly stated that Rus- identity.” Its supporters’ key motivation is to appeal to the various sian language and culture serve as key civili- civil and geopolitical orientations of the regions. This may signal zational markers and form the basis for that the proponents of federalization are merely setting the stage informational and ideological expansion, for Ukraine’s destabilization and the disruption of its territorial unity. while playing key roles in the implementa- Thus, federalization may serve as a bulwark against the arrival of tion of neo-imperialistic projects in the post- pro-European forces to power, which would threaten an irreversible soviet realm. split from the Russian-Eurasian post-imperial space.

Ukrainian oligarchs coming under direct control of the Kremlin; loss of eco- Refusal to integrate into the European collective defense sys- nomic sovereignty. The Eurasian model of government-business relations is tem (NATO) and unfeasible declarations of neutrality that 5being actively imposed in Ukraine. Ukrainian society, unlike that of Russia, 6serve to deliberately weaken Ukraine’s defense capacity. All radically opposes this system. In these circumstances, Ukrainian oligarchs find it this leaves Ukraine vulnerable to potential threats to its territorial in- safer to cede to Putin’s terms rather than remain under Yanukovych’s control, as tegrity and sovereignty. The Ukrainian military is being commercial- their mindset is closer to the Russian model. ized and its needs are being neglected while the Russian military In fact, Ukrainian oligarchs have never identified themselves as inherently Ukrai- grows more powerful and better funded. This may encourage many nian. They have always been part of a post-soviet business elite that aims to seize Ukrainian military officers to support the idea of coming under Rus- its country’s economic resources for its own use without creating any new potential sia’s control in order to meet their own professional interests. for them. Aside from Khodorkovsky, Russia has Abramovich and Deripaska, who live in luxury in exchange for staying out of politics and accepting their inferiority to Mr. Putin. Under certain circumstances, most Ukrainian oligarchs could view this model as perfectly acceptable. After all, some are already merging with Russian fi- nancial and industrial groups (as evidenced by the fact that Serhiy Taruta and Vik- tor Pinchuk, as well as others, have sold their steelwork assets to Russians). Meanwhile, many analysts view Dmytro Firtash’s business group as Gazprom’s agent in Ukraine, whose goal is to buy up strategic assets in sectors related to the gas market and later hand them over to the Russian monopolist. The only question seems to be the price the group will be paid for this mission (whether in cash or minority stakes at Gazprom). This is all happening against a backdrop of growing debt owed by Ukrainian companies to entities affiliated with Gazprom (Naftogaz Ukraina recently opened a credit line worth USD 2bn with Russia’s Gazprom Bank). Meanwhile, the planned reorganization of Naftogaz could make it easier for the Russian monopolist to gain control over distribution networks in Ukraine and the instruments of consumer pressure. Thus, Kyiv is actually becoming addicted to Rus- sian rubles in addition to Russian gas.

Progressive de-legitimization of the government culminat- ing in the rigging of October’s election results. The discredit- 7ing of legitimate democratic parliamentary election methods may provoke the frustrated majority of voters to seek alternative ways of changing the government. Attempts by pro-Russian forces supported by the Kremlin to use instruments of direct democracy (referendum) to manipulate and undermine the state will be espe- cially dangerous in this situation. Such circumstances would exac- erbate the threat of Ukraine’s destabilization and the external modeling of its future in line with Putin’s neo-imperialistic project.

№ 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|13 Politics|Public procurement Away From the Public Eye Amendments to the public procurements law are expected to further conceal the scale of the distribution of public funds to business entities close to the government ecently, the parliamentary Author: UAH 400bn was spent and 110,128 vertising blocs or media cam­ majority used the scandal­ Ilona Zayets contracts signed under public pro­ paigns because they will now not ous language bill to divert curement procedures in 2011. Public need to refute criticism or clean up public attention from an­ spending in 2011 was UAH 332.8bn the reputation of their bosses. R th other law that it passed on July 4 . including more than 65% spent on Ukraine has recently found Under the new law, tenders by salaries to public sector employees, that the State Administration of government-owned enterprises social benefits and government Affairs purchases fruit and vegeta­ held for non-public funds will be debt. Thus, social expenditures un­ bles for UAH 600 (USD 75) per out of the reach of public control. der the general fund of the public kilo. Kharkiv authorities put up The parliament voted for the budget in 2011 totaled UAH 228.5bn benches in the city’s metro station law without any prior discussion (USD 28.5bn). Less than UAH that cost the price of a Ukrainian- and after just a minute-long speech 100bn (USD 12.5bn) was allocated made car, while nuclear power sta­ from the Party of the Regions (PR) through tenders. As a result, nearly tions order Lexus cars as “a key to MP Oleksiy Plotnikov. Draft law UAH 300bn (USD 37.5bn) was nuclear safety”, let alone equip­ No. 9634 On Amendments to Some qualified as “non-budget” funds in ment which is overpriced by 300- Laws of Ukraine On Public Pro­ public tenders out of all the money 500%, or consulting services and curements, drafted by the Cabinet that went through tender proce­ software worth UAH 10-25mn that of Ministers, cancels the procedure dures. From now on, after the presi­ will never be implemented in any whereby the purchase of goods and dent signs the new law, this amount way. Today, Ukrainians can openly services by government-owned en­ will be allocated in the shade, with­ see this. In certain cases, they can terprises through tenders is irre­ out public announcements of ten­ even submit a request to the Con­ versible, provided that the com­ ders or any competition at all. trol and Revision Authority or pany pays for it with its own money, What does this hold for gov­ Prosecutor General to find out rather than public funds. ernment-owned enterprises acting where the public money goes. as commercial entities? It means a Sometimes, they can even get an HOW MUCH IS IT WORTH? total lack of public control over the answer because supplier compa­ How will this amendment affect the use of the working capital. In other nies, even if filling the public bud­ economy? According to Minister of words, their advertisers will have get just like average Ukrainian tax­ Finance Valeriy Khoroshkovsky, the chance to save a penny on ad­ payers, still get their profits from Ukrainians who, as consumers of services from state-owned compa­ nies, are supposed to take an inter­ est in how their taxes are spent. Very soon, though, only several hundred authorized people, who will be kept under strict control, will have access to this in­ formation. One other thing about the new law is that is restricts the functions of the Control and Revision Au­ thority (CRA) whose key responsi­ bility is to exercise public financial oversight of the way public money is spent and saved. Firstly, the CRA is no longer authorized to in­ spect all stages of the public pro­ curement process. Thus, they will not be able to prevent fraud, only state the fact of a violation. Sec­ ondly, the Cabinet of Ministers will now be in charge of establishing the procedure for whom, when and how the CRA will inspect. Indeed, there is something about this. For instance, why give new leverages 14|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 Public procurement|Politics to the CRA if they can be handled quent impression now is that the The Chronicles manually? Yet, a notice about an tail has come to wag the dog as the Just some of the notorious public procurements that upcoming inspection, or postpon­ company’s tender committee and have recently outraged the public due to the still ing it to a convenient time, may financial unit instruct technical open tender procedure turn out to be pricey. Still, the new specialists on what they should do. restrictions do not eliminate the If the cancellation of tenders re­ A PRICEY UPGRADE opportunity to use the CRA as a moved this ill balance in the opera­ Altcom, a development company connected to Vice Pre- tool of repression. tion of production enterprises, it mier for Infrastructure Borys Kolesnikov, has become a Clearly, no law will make the would certainly be for good. At symbol of public procurement, Party of Regions’ style. Since 2008, Altcom has received subcontracts worth a total overregulated economy competi­ least, this would allow them to save of UAH 11.68bn (USD 1.46bn) with over half of that amount tive, even if it makes tenders man­ money by getting rid of their own coming in 2011 alone. In June 2012, it received UAH datory for any large-scale procure­ tender committees that often have 471.34mn (USD 58.9mn) to build roads in Poltava Oblast. ment. Still, transparency gives dozens of employees at one enter­ This means that one kilometer of such a road would cost more opportunities to the inter­ prise. And they do not live on their over UAH 30mn or USD 3.75mn to build. In July, after the ested parties. A prospect to appeal salaries alone. tournament was over, news surfaced that the National against trade procedures in court The potential benefit could def­ Agency for Euro 2012 would allocate another UAH 140mn is one of them. Currently, no mat­ initely count if enterprise managers (USD 17.5mn) to Altcom for construction work at the ter what violations occur during were appointed to develop the fi­ Donetsk airport based on the non-tender procedure used the tender process, the new ver­ nancial and production aspects of during Euro 2012 preparations. sion of the public procurement law the business rather than their own will ruin any attempt to establish a welfare, or them trying to improve BOYKO’S PLATFORMS In March 2011, Chornomornaftogaz bought an offshore oil competitive market in Ukraine. their party, or family relations, with rig for USD 400mn to drill the Black Sea shelf for fuels. The What do these innovations those who appoint them. This pros­ media have found that this price was USD 150mn higher mean for state-owned enterprises pect looks highly unrealistic today, than the average price of platforms worldwide. Later, an- that order the tenders? In addition especially through government reg­ other platform was purchased for an identical price. The to opportunities to conceal tenders ulation procedures. Latvian company that sold them then liquidated itself in from the nosy public, they get an­ Petro Poroshenko, the Minis­ January 2012. other undeniable bonus: cancella­ ter of Economic Development and tion of appeals against the proce­ Commerce, insists that most state- European road signs dure by unsatisfied parties which, if owned enterprises (nearly 1,200 Before the Euro championship, Ukrainian cities introduced abused by dishonest subcontractors, according to him) should be priva­ new plastic LED type signs. Kharkiv metro bought them for may drag the process of procuring tized. Today, this is a realistic op­ UAH 8,500, or slightly over USD 1,000 per piece, while regu- equipment or badly needed services portunity to encourage their man­ lar non-LED signposts cost UAH 5,000 each. Kyiv bought 120 on for months or even years. agers to play by market rules signposts for tourists for an average of UAH 15,000, or nearly USD 1,800 per piece, while Donetsk bought the same rather than family and clique in­ signs for UAH 9,000 or USD 1,125 per board. A CONSTRUCTIVE COMPONENT? terests. Yet, Mr. Poroshenko has Currently overregulated by legisla­ already declared that monopolist Textbooks from a minister’s mother tion and internal rules of state- enterprises that cannot be priva­ In March 2012, the Education Ministry bought a series of owned companies, the tender pro­ tized should keep their procure­ textbooks for schools which offer education in foreign lan- cedure has artificially caused a sit­ ment procedures transparent and guages. The print house that published the books turned out uation where clients have to pay open. How will this happen if the to be the only participant in the tender. Ukrainian language more because suppliers lack the law omits the point despite having textbooks for Moldovan-speaking children cost the taxpayers time or incentive to participate in been drafted by the Ministry UAH 496.75 or USD 62 per copy, while Mathematics and tenders that may drag on for years. headed by Poroshenko? Ukrainian Language for Polish-language schools were worth As a result, most producers and in­ Transparent procurement proce­ UAH 506 (USD 63) and UAH 647.9 (USD 80) respectively. termediaries arrange prices be­ dures will not rule out abuse of The authors of every book included Olha Khoroshkovska, the tween themselves using legal gaps. funds, especially in Ukraine. Oth­ mother of Ukraine’s First Vice Premier. This results in pseudo-competition erwise, there would be no notori­ Diamond raspberries in tenders where half a dozen deal­ ous Boyko’s platform, overpriced In early June 2012, Grant Service, a state-owned company ers and distributors of one produc­ souvenirs bought by state monop­ that services official events of top government authorities, ing plant make a show of compet­ olists, Euro 2012 preparation bud­ bought fruits, berries and vegetables worth UAH 2.6mn ing with each other in open ten­ gets swelled to twice, or more, the (USD 325,000) for the canteens of the Presidential Admin- ders. Their only function is to necessary amount, and multi-mil­ istration and the Verkhovna Rada’s banquette hall. Accord- bump up the price that will leave a lion spending on ordered articles ing to the Public Procurement Newsletter, Ukrainian cher- kickback for both the client, and and TV reports in the media (see ries for top officials cost UAH 63, while imported cherries the producer. As a result, tenders The Chronicles for more de­ were worth UAH 204; mangoes cost UAH 408, while blue- act as auctions, rather than a real tails). The Prosecutor General had berries and raspberries were purchased for UAH 576 and search for a better price. collected many cases concerning 672 respectively. Meanwhile, cherries, blueberries and In the course of a persistent abuse of funds even before the law raspberries cost from UAH 20 to 50 per kilo at most mar- kets and stores in Kyiv, while mangoes sell for no more struggle for tender transparency, was passed. Yet, uncontrolled than UAH 60 per ripe top-rate fruit. the process has accreted so many spending will further fuel the regulations and rules that it often problem while depriving the public Going over the edge? overrides the basic concept of it: it of the opportunity to oversee the In August 2011, a media scandal resulted in the cancellation is quality that has to win in the first violations and exempting the offi­ of a giant obscure procurement as the State Land Agency re- place, not the price. Also, quality cials involved in the fraud from the jected a deal to buy plastic land markers from TOV Investeco. control during tenders should be need to look back at the bad pub­ The deal was worth UAH 4.9bn or USD 612mn with each of highly professional. However, a fre­ licity caused by their misdeeds. the 50mn markers worth an appalling UAH 98. № 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|15 security|nato & ukraine partnership UKRAINE-NATO: Summarizing 15 years of a distinctive partnership

Author: hat conclusion should been true since the summer of of practice—now exercise a domi­ James Sherr, we draw from 15 years of 2008. The new element is that nant role in the country. And we Senior Fellow NATO-Ukraine Distinc­ sustained, long-term expedition­ are obliged to treat their pledges to of the Royal Wtive Partnership? Shall it ary deployments outside the overcome its pathologies with the Institute of be that, like Ukraine, it is not dead NATO Treaty area are no longer utmost scepticism because they International yet? Or that its slumber, like within the bounds of realism ei­ can only do this by disempowering Affairs Ukraine’s, is a prelude to new condi­ ther. Alongside this development, themselves. (Chatham tions and new opportunities? Borys there is another: the Eurozone Ukraine’s non-bloc status is a House) Tarasyuk referred to the languor of crisis and the introversion it im­ source of contention. But the fact the NATO-Ukraine relationship, poses on national and collective is that between 1991 and 2010 and he was right to do so. Today decision-making. Those realities Ukraine was a non-aligned state, there is no strategy for Ukraine and frame the question before us: and until 2002 it never expressed no strategy by Ukraine. But how is what is NATO’s role to be in the any other intention. The differ­ this languor to be used? That ques­ future security of Europe? What, ence between then and now is that tion requires strategic rather than for that matter, is the EU’s role to this status was never put in stone. mechanical thought. be? Ukraine’s 1998 State Pro­ Ukraine’s leaders preserved the The Alliance is at a curious gramme of Cooperation with possibility of NATO membership point of its evolution. Eastern en­ NATO referred to NATO as ‘the not just by rhetoric and calculated largement, at least in the near-to- most effective structure of collec­ mid term, is not within the bounds tive security in Europe’. Is there of political realism. But this has such a thing today? Does NATO wish to be that entity today, and info does it know how this should be Natalia Nemyliwska, done? Does it have policies to this Director of the NATO Information end or simply programmes, prin­ and Documentation Centre ciples and pieties? (NIDC) in Ukraine Whatever conclusions NATO Today we, NATO and Ukraine, do not just and the EU draw, they cannot be cooperate: we are partners. expected to care more for others On the one hand, we are partners in the than they care for themselves. common struggle against many threats Does Ukraine care about itself? and challenges, such as terrorism and pi- racy on the high seas. Ukraine, for instance, Who in Ukraine cares about will be the first partner to join NATO's counterpiracy operation, Ukraine: the leadership of the Ocean Shield, where Ukrainian servicemen will work side-by- country, the leaders of the opposi­ side with NATO allies to safeguard the free passage of goods tion or somebody else? For whom and to make sure merchant communities feel safe at sea. is the national interest a sentient Working together as partners, Ukraine has been able to im- reality and not a cynical term? prove the capabilities of its armed forces. Equally, through Even if the answer to these ques­ working together, NATO and the armed forces of Ukraine tions once again becomes an im­ have achieved a high level of interoperability and integra- pressive one, little will be accom­ tion, allowing Ukraine to make a contribution to interna- plished without effective national tional security using multilateral platforms like NATO, and not only NATO, but the EU and the united nations as well. security and defence institutions: On the other hand, no less important in our partnership are institutions which emerged in the fundamental values, such as democratic standards and the rule early 1990s and in ensuing years of law enshrined in the NATO-Ukraine Charter on a Distinctive (in some cases up to 2006) ac­ Partnership of 1997. Despite serious concerns expressed by allies quired impressive coherence and at the Chicago summit about the state of democracy and the competence — but which more re­ rule of law in Ukraine, the latter does have at its disposal a pow- cently, under more than one na­ erful instrument to address these areas, namely the Annual Na- tional leadership, have been cir­ tional Programme (ANP). The ANP, which is drawn up and im- cumvented, compromised and hol­ plemented by Ukraine, offers the country a comprehensive lowed out. blueprint for reform and modernization, and helps it reach the highest possible standards in all areas of government and soci- Ukrainians decry the “grey ety, including democratic principles and values. zone”. But we are forced to admit With Ukraine completing three cycles of the ANP and now that those who owe their influence, implementing the fourth, we trust that it will remain com- status and power to the grey mitted to the reform process and the underlying values guid- zone—which has its own subcul­ ing the NATO-Ukraine partnership. tures, sources of wealth and codes 16|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 nato & ukraine partnership|security ambiguity, but through a relation­ system of ‘total defence’ enables the question whether current mil­ ship with NATO that was plainly all sectors of government (and a itary doctrine and national de­ intended to achieve de facto inte­ reserve force 20 times the size of fence programmes are coherent, gration short of membership. the standing army) to be mobil­ realistic and equal to the chal­ This was statecraft of an impres­ ised within 24 hours of an alert. lenge of non-alignment. sive kind. It gave substance to Even the UK (which in nominal Even more serious questions Ukraine’s sovereignty, it expan­ terms spends 20 times as much as need to be raised about the effective­ ded Ukraine’s prerogatives, and it Ukraine on defence) calculates ness of core institutions and their afforded Ukraine real leverage in that in the absence of NATO, sub­ standing in the country. In 1999, its relationship with others. Now the NATO-Ukraine Joint Working Ukraine has unilaterally thrown Group on Defence Reform extended this lever away, and the step could Ukraine has thrown the its remit beyond the Armed Forces prove as consequential in a nega­ NATO lever away. This could to other force structures. Are the tive sense as Ukraine’s unilateral MVS and SBU (Interior Ministry nuclear disarmament was in a prove as consequential and special service of Ukraine re­ positive sense. in a negative sense as spectively - ed.) more trusted by so­ If Ukraine is to be non- ciety today than they were five years aligned—constitutionally rather nuclear disarmament was ago? What has happened to the than provisionally—then it needs in a positive sense corps of experts shed by state insti­ to approach the task with serious­ tutions over the past several years? ness. As a non-aligned state dur­ stantial year-on-year increases in What is the status of the military ed­ ing the Cold War, Sweden spent defence budgets would be essen­ ucational system, and what incen­ more per capita on defence than tial in order to maintain present tives do the more capable junior of­ most NATO allies. The same was commitments. If financed and im­ ficers have to stay in their respective true of Switzerland, which like plemented, Uk­­raine’s 30 per cent services? What role, if any, does Finland enjoyed formal neutrality defence budget increase for 2012 civil society play in collaboration on the basis of international after years of decline will be with national security structures or treaty commitments. Finland’s praiseworthy in itself. But it begs in loyal opposition to them? On becoming Minister of De­ fence in 2005, Anatoliy Hryt­ 15 years ago. Leonid Kuchma and senko undertook stringent re­ Javier Solana sign the forms to arrest the commerciali­ NATO-Ukraine Charter in sation of defence and the absence Madrid on July 9, 1997 of proper budgetary manage­ ment. Is the Ministry of Defence less of a commercial structure now than it was then? Is it more accountable to parliamentary and expert scrutiny? Are its cash flows less opaque? In 2006, NATO HQ concluded that Ukraine’s armed forces were approaching the standard required for submission of a Membership Action Plan. What verdict would be issued today? ‘He who wills the end wills the means’. The problems faced inside NATO and Ukraine are radically dif­ ferent from one another in scale and character. But both need to ponder that axiom more than they do. In both domains, politics frustrates this process, and economics con­ spires against defence mindedness. But in both, a community of experts and strategic thinkers survive, and their queries and insights deserve dissemination, recognition and dis­ cussion. If NATO-Ukraine coopera­ tion stimulates that process, it will serve a positive purpose today and facilitate revival when our slumber ends. If it lapses into formalism and bureaucratic routine, it will add o: r e u te rs

t nothing to the sum total of security

pho and happiness in Europe. № 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|17 security|ukrainian army Operation Self-Destruct? Authorities resolutely weaken state defense capacity

Author: tion’s readiness for ‘more active count for personnel salary ex­ Andriy Skumin collaboration’ with Ukraine. penditures, utility services, The problem is that non- medical treatment, nutrition, iktor Yanukovych recently aligned status comes at great and construction of housing for ratified two decisions by cost, requiring additional expen­ servicemen. As of 2012, Ukraine the National Security and ditures. Thus, declaration of non- allocates in total around USD VDefense Council of aligned status for a country with a 2bn for general and specific Ukraine dated 8 June 2012 On a chronically underfunded military army funds, while only USD New Military Doctrine and On a means irresponsibility at the very 1.82mn is allocated for technical New National Security Strategy. least, or could even signal inten­ modernization. Meanwhile,one The doctrine’s key drawback is tional sabotage. During the last Ukrainian ‘Oplot’ tank costs that it can identify threats, but several years, it has become obvi­ UAH 25mn. In contrast, Rus­ does not provide a mechanism ous that the authorities are prac­ sia’s 2012 defense budget com­ for responding to them. tically destroying the Armed prises about USD 72bn, while Much like the previous mili­ Moscow plans to allocate USD tary doctrine, this new one does Mr. Salamatin’s recent 795bn by 2020 for the develop­ not name potential state enemies ment of new armament systems and is limited to the following actions invite blatant alone. criteria for their identification: a mockery of Ukraine’s potential enemy is deemed to be RUINATION one whose actions or intentions defense capabilities and FROM WITHIN indicate a threat of military force army It is not only financial factors against Ukraine. It is worth men­ that are causing national security tioning that according to the cri­ Forces of Ukraine, as the country problems. There are also some teria of ‘war and political risks or has undergone an unprecedented very alarming indications of provocation’ stipulated in Clause process of ‘voluntary disarma­ anti-national strategies regard­ 10 of the document, Russia rep­ ment’. As of 2012, defense expen­ ing state policies on military in­ resents a primary threat (See ditures comprised just UAH dustry, in particular manpower Portrait of the Enemy below). 14.171bn, while over UAH 12bn of policies. The issue concerns De­ After all, the parliament of the this sum was spent on consump­ fense Minister Dmytro Salama­ Russian Federation voted for of­ tion and only UAH 2.141bn was tin. He was a Russian citizen un­ ficial acts containing territorial set aside for development. til 2005, and proved himself a claims to Ukrainian land, Presi­ This means that almost 85% true warrior in Ukraine during dent Medvedev signed laws out­ of the general army’s funds ac­ the 2010 battles for Russian in­ lining simplified procedures for Russian military deployment be­ PORTRAIT OF THE ENEMY yond state borders, and Russia maintains large-scale informa­ The following risks signaling increased threat of military force against Ukraine were tional and economic (energy, listed in the Military Doctrine: milk, etc.) wars against Ukraine. 1) Territorial claims; 2) Claims or efforts to review existing state borders; IRRESPONSIBLE 3) Increase of military troops and arms near Ukraine’s borders, establishment of new military bases or ‘NON-ALIGNED’ STATUS development and modernization of current ones; The New Military Doctrine and 4) Establishment and purchase of new offensive armament systems and military equipment, as well National Security Strategy are as modernization of current ones, which could disrupt the balance of power; based on the idea of Ukraine’s 5) Activation of intelligence activities by foreign governments and organizations against Ukraine; non-aligned status—meaning its 6) Informational and psychological efforts aimed at destabilizing the socio-political climate, religiou- refusal of NATO integration. sand ethnic relations in Ukraine or its regions densely populated by national minorities; Some are trying to present this 7) Political and economic sanctions against Ukraine; as an advantage for Ukraine, 8) Use of military force in the region or with the participation of the region’s states; claiming that non-aligned status 9) Support of separatism; means closed doors for the pro- 10) Justifying use of military force as a means of international conflict resolution; Russian Collective Security 11) Weakening of legislative restrictions on the use of military force beyond national borders; Treaty Organization (CSTO). 12) Violation of international agreements and treaties on non-proliferation of weapons of mass-de- However, this February, CSTO struction, methods of their delivery, control over armament, arms limitations and reductions, or with- Secretary General Nikolay Bor­ drawal from these treaties (ceased participation); diuzha announced the organiza­ 13) Inducing escalation of military conflicts in the region. 18|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 ukrainian army|security SELF-DISARMAMENT Refuting the need for NATO integration, the new state military command is initiating a sharp reduction of the Ukrainian military 150,000 persons 144,000 persons 139,000 persons

75,000 persons*

Based on the laws ‘On the Strength of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’ for relevant years. *Number of servicemen in 2017, according to proposals by Defense Minister Dmytro Salamatin terests taking place in the Ukrai­ the mass media, signed by the has only half the population of nian parliament. Mr. Salamatin Defense Minister just after he was Ukraine and maintains Armed even broke the nose of opposi­ appointed to the post. The draft Forces comprising 90,000 per­ tion deputy Volodymyr Karpuk­ concept envisages active disarma­ sons, while also functioning as a during the vote on the Russia- ment and reduction of the Ukrai­ NATO member-state. Ukraine Kharkiv agreements on nian Armed Forces along with the Mr. Salamatin’s recent ac­ the Black Sea Fleet. According to country’s non-aligned status. tions invite blatant mockery of The Ukrainian Week’s Ukraine is currently cutting the Ukraine’s defense capabilities sources, Salamatin has repeat­ number of its Armed Forces down and army. Lately, there have edly voiced Ukrainophobic and by 8,000 persons, meanwhile Mr. been rumours in the media about openly pro-Russian views in pri­ Salamatin has proposed reducing a draft law on the reformation of vate conversations. it by 20,000 persons, so that military bases that envisages 78 Several months ago, some Ukraine would have 75,000 ser­ categories of military base ad­ clauses of the draft Concept for vicemen, 100 aircraft and 270 ministrative activity, including the Reformation of the Ukrainian tanks by 2017. In comparison, raising poultry, pigs, sheep, and Armed Forces were published in Ukraine’s neighbour Romania goats. № 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|19 economics|Mortgage market A Homeless Generation As the ruling political forces of Ukraine speculate on the housing issue – one of the most painful for millions of Ukrainians – with an eye on the upcoming elections, they only aggravate the problem g by ihor l uki an ch en ko wi n g by dr a

Author: n March 2012, Viktor Yanu­ ter housing conditions.” Recently, is the PR on the programme to Oleksandr kovych promised that Ukraini­ with a relevant PR campaign, offi­ compensate the losses of the vic­ Kramar ans would be able to take out cials even reported about the first tims of the Elita Centre construc­ I10-15-year mortgages with a lucky people who have received tion fraud, on behalf of Kyiv may­ 2-3% interest rate. Commercial these preferential loans. Initially, oral candidate Oleksandr Popov. banks now charge an average of the plans for resolving the housing 20.5%, with the difference sup­ problem were ambitious and spe­ The scale posedly being compensated by the cific: 30,000 people by the end of of the housing problem state. UAH 1 bn has been allocated 2012, or 2.6% of the 1,138,000 of­ One in seven Ukrainian families from the budget under relevant ficially registered on the housing have less than 7.5 m2 of living area legislation. The programme is al­ list. However, this item was re­ per person, while a mere 50% of ready working – on paper, that is. moved from the government regu­ families live in more than the “san­ Cabinet of Ministers Regulation lation in late May. This and many itary norm” of 13.65 m2. Taking Nos. 343 and 465 determined “the other facts show that “a cheap into account the salary level, the procedure for reducing the cost of mortgage from Yanukovych” is yet average Ukrainian has to work at mortgages to provide affordable another empty project, designed least 20 years to buy a two-room housing to citizens who need bet­ to gain support. Another example flat, while Americans need only 20|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 Mortgage market|economics 2.7, Germans 4.4 and Brazilians THE ETERNAL WAITING LIST 6.3 years. The absence of own The number of people on the housing li is decreasing, housing is the main deterrent to not because they receive flats, but because they are marriage, causes divorce among removed from the li for other reasons. In addition, young people, leads to the decline the procedure for getting onto the li has become of the birth rate and adversely af­ more complex And people have lo intere in the

fects the overall demographic situ­ 2,638 “eternal wait” Families and single people ation. About half of the surveyed on the housing young couple say that the main waiting li , in thousands reason for putting off having chil­ Received housing during dren, or even not having any at all, the course of the year, is the absence of adequate housing 1,765 in thousands conditions. Nearly 31% do not have a roof over their heads; 14% rent flats; 10% are crammed into hostels and 11% in communal flats. A mere 33% of young families and

56.3% of all families have separate 1,139 apartments. Periodically, youth organisa­ 235 32 11 tions stage protests, demanding that the constitutional right to 1990 2000 2010 housing be realised in practice, re­ Source: State Stati ics Committee duced mortgage rates, increased budget spending on affordable and construction quota was fulfilled. forms in the construction sector social housing, as well as a reduc­ Loans were secured for less than would inevitably cut the flow of tion in corruptive pressure on the three percent of young families money to many officials who construction industry. However, that participated in the pro­ thrive on bribes from developers. what these protests achieve at According to the Au- gramme. In rural areas, only two Instead, the government is ask­ best, is the resolution of housing dit Chamber which (!) families received housing from ing citizens to simply pay the “ex­ issues for their leaders and the ac­ audited the Fund for this agency since the time that it tra” cost out of their own pockets. the Promotion of the tivists of “public movements” asso­ Construction of Hous- was set up. Another example: in There are also many other nu­ ciated with them, on the basis of ing for Young Fami- Kyiv, where there are approxi­ ances that discourage people from which, the government is able to lies, only mately 130,000 people partici­ dealing with the state. Should a report that it is “listening to every­ 12% pating in the state affordable bank agree to grant a mortgage on one” and in essence, indefinitely of its housing con- housing programme alone, in preferential terms, the buyer must postponing any real resolution of struction quota was 2011, Kyivmiskbud, the munici­ choose a flat in a building ap­ fulfilled the problem. pal construction company, built proved by a government commis­ There are several programmes only 355 at which, government sion of the Ministry of Regional in Ukraine supporting the con­ aid did not exceed 30% in 1/3 of Development, Construction and struction of affordable housing Less than these cases. Housing and Communal Services for young and underprivileged of Ukraine, based on the proposals citizens, but they are independent 3% Mirages of local state administrations, of each other and often not coor­ of young families are In essence, Yanukovych’s much then he/she would have to sign granted loans dinated among themselves. Their touted mortgage programme con­ two contracts: one to purchase the efficiency remains surprisingly tains, mutually exclusive norms flat (between the purchaser, the low – less than one percent of that disqualify the absolute ma­ bank and the developer) and the those in need have experienced jority of those in need of housing, other one to receive government improvement. In recent times, and subsequently turns the initia­ compensation (between the pur­ various state programmes have tive into yet another propaganda chaser, the bank and the local provided housing for no more fiction. state administration). Thus, if the than 11,000 of the 1.1 million Within the limits of this ini­ government refuses to make good Ukrainians on the housing list. tiative, the acceptable maximum on its essentially pre-election The majority of Ukrainians no cost of one square metre of hous­ promise of compensation, it is un­ longer believe in the efficiency of ing is set at up to UAH 7,000 for likely that the citizen will be re­ official “housing lists”, so the ac­ Kyiv, up to UAH 5,000 for Kyiv lieved of his/her previously as­ tual number of the “homeless” is Oblast and UAH 4,000 else­ sumed commitments. Meanwhile, at least five times higher. This where. However, these prices are the government will not be held situation creates unequal condi­ virtually nonexistent on the real responsible, because the compen­ tions, provokes corruption and estate market of Kyiv and in the sation of part of the interest rate is favoritism and discredits the very regional centres of Kyiv Oblast. transferred to the buyer’s personal idea of a housing policy. For ex­ Moreover, the government is not account by local administration ample, according to the Audit proposing any mechanisms to cut bodies. They, and not the central Chamber which audited the Fund prices, particularly the elimina­ government, will be held account­ for the Promotion of the Con­ tion of the price-inflating corrup­ able if things go wrong. struction of Housing for Young tion component. And this is un­ At the same time, an amend­ Families, only 12% of its housing derstandable, because these re­ ment to the Cabinet of Ministers’ № 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|21 economics|Mortgage market Regulation now makes it possible sures taken to cut the cost of DEMAND WITHOUT SUPPLY for the buyer to sell the “afford­ building affordable housing. The The deficit of affordable housing on the market was aggrava- able” flat to anyone (rather than a fact that supply and demand de­ ted by offers of increasingly larger and hence pricier flats person who meets the pro­ termines the price in a market gramme’s criteria), thus facilitat­ economy is ignored. Thus, the ing corruption. way in which this problem can

be resolved is by a significant in­ 24 Looking out crease of supply. Otherwise all

for number one efforts to cut the prime cost of 14,0 The government does not conceal construction and mortgage ser­ the fact that housing programmes vicing will quickly translate into are aimed at solving not so much additional revenue for develop­ 7,640 the problems of the population, ers and the officials to whom 6,965 as those faced by construction they have connections. This con­ 6,304 companies and enterprises in as­ clusion is also confirmed by 5,163 sociated sectors. When present­ well-informed market partici­ 4,329 ing the initiative, Yanukovych pants. said that it will drum up business The experience of the 2000- 1990 2000 2008 2009 2010 2011 for construction companies and 2008 construction boom proves building material manufacturers that the Ukrainian market was TOTAL AREA, in thous. m2m2 and will stimulate demand for controlled by several large compa­ Ukrainian metal products on the nies. They appear to have entered Volume of housing conruion in cities domestic market. These words into a classic price-fixing agree­ may refer to a coterie of close as­ ment. As a result, instead of in­ sociates, particularly in view of creasing supply under conditions the currently existing budget dis­ of progressively increasing de­

tribution system. So nice-sound­ mand, they tried to check the con­ 233 ing declarations may only be a struction growth rate in order to convenient excuse for allocating drive up prices. Thus, while dollar several hundred millions or even prices skyrocketed, construction billions from the state budget to volumes did not even double. banks and developers closely Another problem is the unwill­ linked to the government. These ingness of developers to build truly fears are already proving to be economy-class housing, whereby 2 76 true. According to information 40-50 m are used for a two-room, 66 obtained by The Ukrainian rather than one-room flat. Simple 52 57 57 Week, small companies that calculations show that it is more 1990 2000 2008 2009 2010 2011 would like to participate in the cost-efficient to build large flats. programme, cannot find a com­ This factor was one of the key de­ NO. OF FLATS, IN THOUSANDS mon language with the officials terrents to solving the housing Source: State Statiics Committee responsible for granting access to problem, because the number of it. Rumours about demands for flats commissioned during the ued to grow, even during the crisis, kickbacks are rife on the market. construction boom of 2000-2008 exceeding 110 m2 in 2010, while That the government’s initia­ increased by 46% (from 52,000 to the number of flats declined to al­ tive may be aimed primarily at 76,000), much more slowly than most to 2000 levels (57,000). This supporting large construction their total area (by 77%, from 4.3 trend in itself is a powerful factor companies, indirectly linked to m2 to 7.6 million m2). The average in the aggravation of the housing the country's leadership, is also living area increased from 83 m2 problem, because Ukrainians need corroborated by an array of mea­ to 100 m2. Paradoxically, it contin­ flats rather than square metres. Moreover, it is obvious that a city flat with an average area of more ARTIFICIAL DEFICIT 2 Slow con ruion growth led to a speculative increase in prices: more than 10-fold in USD than 110 m cannot be affordable and more than 16-fold in UAH (Kyiv, USD thous.) by definition. Meanwhile, state programmes often encourage this 1 room 2 rooms 3 rooms megalomania, which is at variance with the real capabilities of the state budget and the purchasing power of most citizens – even the middle class, to say nothing of the underprivileged. For example, un­ der these state programmes, a flat 3.3 11.2 150.0 0.32 6.0 21.4 200 0.39 9.5 29.8 290 0.39 for a family with two children 2 50 157.4 1,350 3.84 85 270.8 4,070 4.27 123 430.3 6,400 4.38 should be at least close to 100 m . Overcoming poverty As of September 2000 minimum average maximum 1 m² Existing approaches to solving As of September 2008 minimum average maximum 1 m² Source: Blagovi Real E ate Agency the housing problem under mar­ 22|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 Mortgage market|economics ket economy conditions cannot clear-cut economy-class stan­ AVERAGE HOUSING PRICES be efficient, because a shortage of dards, particularly regarding (per 1m², Kyiv, USD) budget funds make it a priori im­ area and auxiliary premises. Only Source: SV Development possible to secure equal access to projects that meet these criteria relevant programmes for all citi­ should be eligible for state fi­ zens. At the same time, there is nancing. Access to relevant hous­ 3,527 no pressure to demonopolise the ing programmes must be equal construction sector and eliminate for everyone, regardless of such corruption within it. The spo­ artificial, thus corruption-pro­ radic allocation of flats to an in­ voking and discriminatory, fac­ decently small number of people tors as the place of registration, 2,641 on the list (1-3% of the total), being on one housing list or an­ backfires, provoking abuse and other, etc. There should only be stimulating a parasitic attitude one constraint – one-time partic­ within a large part of society. As a ipation in the programme. 1,870 1,859 result, the housing problem re­ However, there are citizens 1,641 mains unresolved, while social with income levels that are lower 1,382 attitudes are deteriorating: a than those required by state 1,309 generation of citizens is emerging housing programmes. Instead of in Ukraine, who do not and can­ giving them flats free of charge, 879 not have a roof over their own which would require significant 568 heads. They have nothing to lose budget spending with no return, 380 and easily succumb to manipula­ the best practice of European 01.01. 25.04. 25.05. 03.03. 03.04. 01.01. 25.04. 25.05. 03.03. 03.04. tion and provocation. countries should be adopted – a 2003 2005 2008 2009 2012 2003 2005 2008 2009 2012 In order to diffuse the acute­ model that is effective in a mar­ ness of the housing problem in ket economy for the provision of SECONDARY MARKET NEW CONSTRUCTION Ukraine, primarily among the a category of social housing (flats most active population aged 40- and hostel rooms), that is rented 45, mechanisms must be applied out at a reduced rate and has a Truly affordable housing to stimulate construction. But fi­ buy-out clause. The system is ex­ nancing from the budget and other tremely flexible and has elements In early 2012, Oleksandr Rotov, First Deputy Chairman of self-sufficiency. For example, of the Board of Directors of the Builders Confederation sources and improving mortgage of Ukraine, said that without the “hidden” elements, programmes should not lead to a social housing is rented out in the prime cost of one square metre of housing in Kyiv galloping increase in prices. The Great Britain, and the proceeds in brick buildings that are up to nine storeys high, is solution requires not so much ad­ are immediately invested in new USD 500-600 (UAH 4,000-4,800), while selling prices ditional financial injections as or­ construction. The cycle is then can start at UAH 6,000. In other words, classic afford- ganizational efforts to demonopo­ repeated. In France, people who able housing – a two-room economy-class flat, mea- lise the construction sector and have lived in social flats for a cer­ suring 40-45 m2 – would cost UAH 240,000-270,000 overcome corruption. tain period gain the right to pur­ at a price of UAH 6,000/m2. If a long-term (25-30 The highly competitive con­ chase them at significantly re­ year) loan amounting to UAH 200,000-240,000 was struction market should be com­ duced rates. available at an interest rate of 12-13%, monthly, the in- stallments would not exceed UAH 2,500-3,000. This is bined with access to it of foreign Finally, the policy of the gov­ a lot cheaper than renting a similar apartment in Kyiv companies. Companies involved in ernment and the National Bank (UAH 3,500-4,800 per month), which the potential the implementation of projects to must ensure that financial risks buyers of affordable housing are now forced to pay build affordable housing would are minimal and mortgage rates anyway. have to be in constant contact with are accessible to most citizens (10- If implemented, such a project would have a large-scale a relevant government agency in 12% at most). If this were the case, multiplication effect. Among other things, rent and prices order to ensure a rapid reaction to budget funds would not be wasted on the secondary real estate market would decline, be- any blocking attempts by officials on temporary programmes that ca­ cause universally accessible programmes (for everyone acting in the interests of large cor­ ter to elections. except profiteers) would keep rent for economy-class flats porations. At the same time, crimi­ A solution to the housing in Kyiv below UAH 2,000, which is almost half the current level. Cumulatively, these measures could bring the price nal responsibility for bribery prob­­lem based on European stan­ of housing on the secondary market down to USD 800- should be increased. It is necessary dards of area and housing quality 900/m2. to create conditions, under which will only be possible if overall in­ If as little as 3-4% of the total loan is compensated from participants of the construction crease in income levels driven by the budget (with a maximum annual interest rate of 12- market would not be able to keep long-term economic growth, la­ 13%), the state will pay UAH 7,200-8,000 annually per pointing to some hidden compo­ bour efficiency and changes in the flat. If one million flats are built at a cost of UAH 6,000/ nents of the prime cost. Otherwise household spending structure. m2 under the “affordable housing” programme, the state housing programmes and bil­ Today the people of Ukraine are state will spend nearly two percent of its budget (at lions of taxpayer funds would only in essence, the poorest in Europe present - UAH 7.2 billion). At the same time, UAH 30-40 drive up real estate prices, as was and spend most of their income billion of private funds, which are never invested under the conditions that exist at present, will be attracted, the case in 2005-2008. on food. And this requires the and at least UAH 190-230 billion will come from other At the same time, state hous­ elimination of the oligarchic- sources. This will lead to the relevant growth of the con- ing programmes for relatively lumping model of the economy struction sector and thus increase deductions to the prosperous citizens should be and the establishment of condi­ budget which could turn out to be much higher than all implemented jointly with devel­ tions for the realization of the po­ state expenses for the implementation of the housing opers, who will comply with tential of private initiative. programme. № 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|23 Investigation|Raids on architectural monuments Unwelcome Guests at the Inn Commercial entities linked to President Yanukovych have their eyes on yet another historical monument in Kyiv an dr z a k let skiy o: o le ks t pho

Author: ecently, the Verkhovna Background The Hospitable Inn was badly Bohdan Rada (VR) quietly removed Hostynnyi Dvir ran into problems damaged during World War II Butkevych Kyiv’s Hostynnyi Dvir from when the new government came to and remained in disrepair for Rthe list of architectural power in 2010 as rumours first many years. In the 1980s, it was monuments that cannot be priva­ surfaced that the authorities renovated based on Rusca’s first tized. Hostynnyi Dvir, meaning wanted to turn the building into a project, the repairs conducted by “Hospitable Inn” in English, is a commercial center. Yet, the build­ architect Valentyna Shevchenko. commercial complex in Kyiv’s Po­ ing is no stranger to hard times. Following its renovation, many dil district. The parliament passed Built in 1809, Hostynnyi Dvir organizations moved into the the draft law for this change of sta­ or Hospitable Inn is a monumen­ building, including the architec­ tus despite opposition by the VR’s tal commercial complex in the ture library, the Podil Theater, Key Legal Department and public heart of Kyiv’s Kontraktova Plosh­ the Ukrainian State Research and protests. Attempts to block the cha. It was designed in the Neo­ Design Institute for Renovation, site’s change of ownership in court classical style by Luigi Rusca, the and the Ukrainian Renovation also failed. This is hardly surpris­ main architect of St. Petersburg. Agency, which was actually in ing, as the Hospitable Inn has at­ In 1811, a fire broke out at the charge of restoring architectural tracted the attention of people Hospitable Inn and the building, monuments. close to President Yanukovych, re­ unfinished at the time, was recon­ The raid on the Hospitable ferred to by his comrades simply structed by architect Andriy Mel­ Inn began last year when the Cab­ as “leader.” ensky in 1828. inet of Ministers Directive No. 24|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 Unwelcome Guests at the Inn Commercial entities linked to President Yanukovych have their eyes 1380 dated August 15, 2011, removed the Hospitable Inn from the list of architectural monuments under state on yet another historical monument in Kyiv protection. Later, on April 26, 2012, 68 deputies from the pro- government majority of the Kyiv City Council allowed the Ukrainian Renovation Agency, which is legally renting the Hospitable Inn, to design a draft plan for the reconstruc­ tion of the building into a trade and office center with a guest parking lot. On July 5, 2012, 256 MPs, or “cards” to be exact, passed an amendment to the final provisions of the “Law On the Implementation of Social Initiatives by the Presi­ dent for the Reduction of Mortgage Loan Costs” spon­ sored by Oleksandr Klymenko, an Our Ukraine-People’s Self-Defense (NU-NS) MP, that gave a green light to the privatization of the Hospitable Inn. Currently, it is still on the balance sheet for the Presi­ dent’s State Administration. Family business In 1994, the Podil District Administration founded Ukrai­ nian Restoration, a special research and restoration de­ sign and construction enterprise. Later, the company came to comprise Ukrainian Restoration CJSC, the finan­ cial company Ukrainian Restoration, and Restorer Ltd. They were involved in renovating many major sites, in­ cluding the Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv. On June 10, 2011, ownership of Ukrainian Restoration changed hands. A Cypriot company called Afidreko Hold­ ings, Ltd. registered on June 3 became its new majority shareholder with a 91% stake. The new owners quickly set to work replacing all company managers. Dmytro Yarych, a lawyer at the Zori­ anyi Movie Theater Ltd was appointed CEO. Maryna Diachenko, Hennadiy Nezhurbida and Maryna Pelykh, all top managers of the Zorianyi Movie Theater, ended up on Ukrainian Restoration’s Supervisory Board. On August 15, 2011, the Cabinet of Ministers issued the abovementioned instruction to remove the Hospitable Inn from the list of protected architectural monuments. Zorianyi has long been a Kyiv headquarters for the Party of Regions. Last year, an investigation undertaken by The Ukrainian Week revealed that the companies that own the movie theater are connected to Mezhyhiria, Mr. Yanukovych’s infamous residence, and commercial entities owned by his sons Viktor and Oleksandr. Notably, Maryna Pelykh’s husband is Andriy Kravets, the current Head of the State Department of Affairs. Ex­ perts describe him as personally loyal to Viktor Yanu­ kovych and his son Oleksandr. Therefore, the fact that the right to renovate the Hospitable Inn, which is on the State Department of Affairs’ balance sheet, was granted to Ukrainian Restoration hardly seems coincidental. In fact, the company was the major subcontractor for the recent renovation of the Andriyivsky Uzviz. The privatization of the Hospitable Inn was lobbied in the VR by Oleksandr Klymenko, a member of Yuriy

Kostenko’s Ukrainian People’s Party in the NU-NS fac­ Заклецький лександр tion. However, Mr. Klymenko hails from Donetsk, mak­

ing his loyalties quite clear. During the Orange Revolu­ О фото: Investigation|Raids on architectural monuments

RESISTANCE. A campaign to protect the Hospitable Inn tion years of 2005-2006, he underground floor and demolish­ by Dmytro Yarych, the CEO of served as Deputy Head of the ing the terraces of the ground Ukrainian Restoration, tried to Donetsk Oblast State Administra­ floor in order to create commer­ take over the building. Using old tion for Industry, Fuel and En­ cial space. In fact, this would en­ raider tactics, they sealed the gate ergy, Transport and Communica­ tail a complete reconstruction of and placed a truck in front of it to tion. Yet, he quickly found his way block the entrance. Only the de­ after the Party of Regions re­ termination and swift action of turned to power, getting along The planned "renovation" the protesters made it possible to quite well with the “directing will turn the Hospitable withstand the raid. force of Donbas.” Currently, his Meanwhile, at the District Ad­ Leasing Center company is within Inn into yet another ministrative Court in Kyiv, activ­ the Family’s orbit of influence. typical shopping mall ist Vadym Toropov appealed the Cabinet of Minister’s Instruction Deconstruction by raiders the site. Plans for the interior in­ No. 1380 that started all the trou­ The announced renovation plans clude the creation of cafes and bles in the first place. Based on include the lighting of the façade, shops, turning the building into a the appeal, he demanded that the reduction of the outdoor patio, typical shopping mall. court ruled to stop construction covering the Hospitable Inn with Activists who protested against on the territory. Yet, Judge Vitaliy a glass roof to protect it from rain, the “renovations” are still trying to Amelekhin refused to suspend the building a mansard, adding one win back the Hospitable Inn. On document referring to the lack of May 26, 2012, they launched a evidence provided by the appeal­ info public art campaign called the ing party. Still, the activists sub­ Hospitable Republic. Located on mitted yet another appeal and an Heavy equipment has recently appeared at Zamkova Hora, the Castle Hill in Podil. Developers began cutting down the patio of the building, it offers expert opinion to be considered trees and massive excavation. In addition to the hill being various art events on an almost on August 22. an archeological site and part of the Old Kyiv reserve, cut- daily basis. Will these efforts stop the on­ ting down its trees is an extremely dangerous initiative— However, the protectors often slaught of a powerful financial and experts say it has a complex geology and groundwater very run into trouble. On the night of industrial machine backed by the close to the surface. June 1, nearly 30 hired thugs led country’s leaders? 26|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 opinion|Investigation Ukraine – UNESCO: Lost in translation?

careful analysis of correspondence between investor might even have heard of UNESCO – or Ukrainian government officials and their even seen its headquarters on a visit to Paris – but UNESCO counterparts (especially in cases that is all there is to it. UNESCO? What is it to them, Aconcerning intrusion into historical architec­ given that they believe themselves to stand above tural landscapes as well as construction projects in even Ukraine’s laws? Besides, these dealers tend to buffer zones around UNESCO World Heritage sites, arrive in Kyiv from the east of Ukraine, where natu­ such as the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and the Sophia ca­ ral landscapes are mostly flat steppes, while urban thedral), leaves an impression that the parties are lost landscapes are composed largely of dumps and in translation. waste dominating industrial zones and coal mines. How else can one interpret Ukraine’s stand? On the This defines their particular everyday practices and one hand, the city allows developers with big names shapes their attitude towards historical culture. Far or good connections to disguise themselves as inves­ be it from me to sound offensive, the more so that I tors and effectively destroy Kyiv landscapes, jeopar­ have friends in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, but dizing the Lavra and St. Sophia's. On the other hand, most of them on their first visit to Kyiv are genu­ officials appeal to UNESCO proposing the inclusion inely surprised: “Why on earth is everything here so of new sites which are now part of the National Sanc­ patriarchal and old-fashioned? What are these old tuary Sophia of Kyiv, in the list of World Heritage mansions good for? This would make a perfect site sites. European mass media have reported that the for a first-rate building, like in Hong Kong!” UNESCO Committee had been planning to consider And last but not least: the vast majority of today’s adding 33 new sites to their list — including St. An­ Ukrainian oligarchs and their men come from the drew’s and St. Cyril’s Churches in Kyiv — at its meet­ USSR. And that is he source of their ways of making ing in St. Petersburg on 22 June 2012. However, after money, as well as their habits, cultural preferences, the meeting 26 new sites were added to the list, and and everyday lingo. Ukraine as a state, with its lan­ none of them were Ukrainian. guage, traditions, culture, and historical heritage is Meanwhile, the UNESCO for them something alien press service published yet and incomprehensible. And another appeal to the incum­ UNESCO worries what you do not understand, bent Ukrainian government, more about Ukraine’s love, or accept, you try to de­ demanding a ban on deve­­ stroy. Thus the destruction of Author: lopment projects in buffer problems than the monuments of Ukrainian Bohdana zones around St. Sophia history and culture and the Kostiuk and Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, let Ukrainians themselves recent language and educa­ alone those in their imme­­ do tional policy, just as a num­ diate vicinity. However, there ber of less conspicuous steps, has been hardly any progress: construction is still perfectly fit in the scheme for the elimination of going on. In my opinion, the problem is not only Ukraine in which there is no room for the public, in the triumph of money over everything including the international community, or UNESCO. Sur­ common sense, though finances have clearly been the prisingly, the last worries more about Ukraine’s prob­ most important factor when it comes to construction lems than Ukrainians themselves do. in downtown Kyiv. Sources close to historical sites say Here is one graphic example: the Supervisory Board that land property here has always been a gold mine of the National Sanctuary Sophia of Kyiv announced for owners, and yet there is another dimension to this that most of its members proposed banning public lit­ problem, a purely psychological one. urgies at St. Andrew’s Church, which the Ukrainian Look at the biggest developers: they are all strang­ Autocephalous Orthodox Church has been holding ers, none are from Kyiv. They are people who came there since 2009. Moreover, academician Petro to the capital to do business or to pursue a career in Tolochko, a scientist himself and Board President, ar­ politics. In other words, Kyiv is nothing but a hunt­ gued that smoke from candles is destroying the ing ground for them, a territory for new business. church's unique icons and murals. Perhaps the Super­ And in business Ukrainian-style everything is al­ visory Board has also got a smart solution for avoid­ lowed, as long as it secures windfall profits. Such an ing landslides under St. Andrew’s? № 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|27 society|Children's rights Vitamin L for Kids Marek Michalak, Poland’s Ombudsman for Children, talks about upbringing without corporal punishment

Interviewer: uring Marek Michalak’s lations changed in Poland in that rather than material for a future Inna term as Ombudsman for time? Does the change affect citizen. This is a huge leap for­ Zavhorodnia Children, Polish legisla­ children’s development? ward in adult thinking. It clearly Dtion banned corporal pun­ – The last 20 years have been changes attitudes and approaches Photo: ishment as a means for disciplin­ a time of intense transformations towards upbringing. Children’s Tomasz ing children. Mr. Michalak talks in Poland. The overall attitude to­ feelings and rights have to be Pietrzyk to The Ukrainian Week about wards human rights, including taken into consideration, and how the attitudes of Polish par­ the rights of children, has their individuality and dignity ents towards their children have changed. Have children changed? have to be respected. changed in recent times. I’d say that it is rather their envi­ ronment, in other words, the UW: Corporal punishment had UW: You have worked with adult world that has changed. The long been viewed as a method young children for over 20 years time has come, when ever more of disciplining children in the now. How have parent-child re- often, we see the person in a child, West. This is no longer the case 28|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 Children's rights|society today. How do parents feel give their children an unlimited not the essence of a dialogue. We about this in Poland? supply of love, the L vitamin, should communicate with them, – On 1 August 2010, Poland spend time with them and give allow them to express them­ banned smacking or beating of them feasible yet reasonable selves, looking them in the eye, children. As a teacher and a fa­ boundaries. I can reassure every­ not from above. It’s better to talk ther, not just Ombudsman for one that raising people in an en­ to a child at their level, sitting Children this ban has my un­ vironment where their rights, down or kneeling. equivocal support. Every human dignity and personality are re­ being has a right to live without spected is the only way to smooth UW: A hotly debated issue in being subject to violence. The out problems and disorders. Fu­ Ukraine is the interference of ban will have a positive effect in eling and aggravating them won’t authorities in raising children, the future, when a generation help. whose parents are unable to do brought up without violence so adequately. How much grows up. We cannot hit a child UW: Many parents today feel power should authorities have when demanding something lost. They don’t know how to in this respect? from them. Hitting children is raise their children correctly. – The less the state interferes the easiest way, but we tend to What recommendations can you with people’s private lives, the forget that we lose children’s re­ give them? Should they raise better. That’s the best rule. How­ spect when we smack them and their children intuitively or be ever, the authorities should react they often lose the desire to live. guided by specific methods? If in certain situations, such as when Using such means we raise an in­ so, which should they choose? children are hurt. The state dividual who lacks faith, who will – It is necessary to know how should always monitor the protec­ pass this feeling on to others. to use recommended books on Psychologists confirm that those raising children. Not all of them A sensible upbringing who experienced violence are the are good. Parents need to be criti­ most likely to use violence them­ cal and use their common sense. I is when parents give their selves. The law is not enough. recommend Janusz Korczak (Pol­ children an unlimited We also have to believe that rais­ ish teacher, doctor and writer – ing children without physical ed.), a wise person, who under­ supply of love punishment is a possible, good stands children’s needs. What you and efficient way. I initiated a should keep in mind, though, is tion of the rights of every human survey on this issue a year after that there is no specific formula being, especially the weak and parliament passed the ban. It for raising a kid. Every child is those unable to protect them­ found that the share of people different, each has a unique tem­ selves. who approved of corporal pun­ perament. ishment in Poland had fallen by UW: What are the common mis- 9%. Although it is at a level of UW: Should parents set clear be- takes parents make when rais- 69%, it is declining. havioural rules for children, is it ing children today? Are they any worth involving them in the cre- different from those of 20 years UW: In his book titled Why Our ation of these rules, in order to ago? Children Become Tyrants or the give them more freedom? – Most mistakes are a result Elimination of Childhood, Mi- – We are the ones giving chil­ of the lack of time parents and chael Winterhoff, a German chil- dren the very first and the clear­ children have for each other. dren’s psychiatrist, describes est starting point. We should re­ People used to communicate partner relations as the wrong member that children are cau­ much more. At the very least, model for parent-children rela- tious observers of our behaviour, they would get together at the tions, leading to mental disor- both public and private. By al­ dinner table. According to my ob­ ders and development problems lowing children to take part in servations, every home has a TV in children. How can parents see debates, express their standpoint set today, but not every home has the line between respecting and co-create reality, we are a dining table. It’s hard to talk in their children’s needs and de- moving in the direction of raising front of the TV. People don’t look sires and a strict, authoritarian creative individuals who are in­ each other in the eye. upbringing? terested in the world. But if we – Respect for parents should coerce them into everything and grow out of love and understand­ expect blind obedience, we de­ BIO ing each others’ needs, not par­ stroy children’s naturalness. In Marek Michalak was appointed Ombudsman for Children in ents’ strictness. I don’t call on such case, a child can become ei­ Poland in 2008. In 2011-2012, he chaired the European Net- parents to give children the right ther very compliant or very ag­ work of Ombudspeople for Children (ENOC). Mr. Michalak was to decide everything in their ev­ gressive, hurting himself or oth­ also Chancellor of the International Chapter of the Order of eryday life. Instead, I ask adults ers. There is nowhere to hide and Smile and a member of the Human Development Committee to listen to what children think, wait for the problems of upbring­ at the Polish Academy of Sciences. The father of two, Mr. Micha- want and say. After all, adults are ing to resolve themselves. The so­ lak worked as a teacher and therapist with children in problem the ones who make decisions, as lution should be sought through families and their parents for 21 years. Under his initiative, 2012 they are capable of taking re­ dialogue, not monologue. We was declared the Year of Janusz Korczak and he was also the ini- sponsibility, taking their child’s adults like to preach to children, tiator of the Third Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on needs taken into account. A sen­ give them instructions and de­ the Rights of the Child. Mr. Michalak holds numerous Polish and sible upbringing is when parents mand their fulfillment. This is international decorations. № 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|29 Society|Charity Letters from Angels Volunteers bring smiles and support to children with cancer

Author: ancer is a terrible diagnosis going lengthy treatments in hospi­ stranger cares about their prob­ Bohdan faced by hundreds of Ukrai­ tals. They send the young patients lems, is willing to support them Butkevych nian children every year. supportive letters and small gifts, and does not disappear for long СShortly after they find out come to hospitals to play games periods. The volunteers say that Photos: about their disease, they end up in with them or help them financially, most children with cancer are Lia Dostleva cancer treatment facilities where if they can afford it. Apart from much more courageous and confi­ they endure long, painful and helping children, their support dent than average children their challenging treatments. Cancer aids parents who are often much age. And they love to have fun, al­ removes children from their nor­ more stressed out by their child’s though their jokes may sound far mal lives and most friends forget disease than the child. from funny to an outsider. about them; only their stressed Once a week, a personal “an­ The project covers five hospi­ out parents and doctors remain. gel” sends mail to the young pa­ tals, including the National Cancer All this happens at a time when tients. Little kids often get letters Institute, Kyiv City Hospital, Chor­ each positive or negative emotion from their favourite cartoon char­ nobyl Center, Kyiv Oblast Hospital can tilt the scales to one side or acters. They believe in the friend­ and OKhMatDyt, a special chil­ another. ship and see a fairy tale come dren’s hospital in Kyiv. At the end Letters From Angels is a volun­ alive. Older children and parents of 2011, nearly 170 families had teer initiative launched in Kyiv in understand that the letters come their own “angels.” Volunteers 2010. Its activists are people who from ordinary people. Still, they meet every Thursday. The project become friends to children under­ often find it surprising that a is on the web at likarinfund.org.

GIVING HAPPINESS: Angels send something interesting, such as postcards, stickers or icons, in every letter, especially the first one

30|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 Charity|Society

SEARCHING FOR A PERSONAL EMINE, CRIMEA: ANGEL: Every hospital involved in The girl had an the project makes a waiting list of osteosarcoma in her right children who need support upper arm. Following the surgery, she can hardly move her arm, so she often talks to her “angel” Liya on the phone

MIRACULOUS HEALING: Liuba from Ternopil Oblast (left) had throat cancer. Despite the fact that this type of cancer kills virtually everyone who has it, the girl was cured, although she is still in supportive therapy. Liuba is a wearing a mask because her immune system is very weak following chemotherapy

№ 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|31 Society|Charity

DRAWING TOGETHER: CELEBRITY TIME: A visiting “angel” entertains a young patient of Liuba poses the National Cancer Institute with a catheter. in a wig Some “angels” write letters to children and meet pretending to with them if the little patients desire be an actress. Most children, especially girls, BAGUETTE THE DOG: are extremely Volunteer Olena writes funny stories about upset about the her three dogs to a boy who loves canines. loss of their hair, The angels’ key purpose is to entertain kids so they wear hats and lift their spirits during their battle with or headscarves the fatal disease

32|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 imagine cup winners|Science Kitchen Masterpiece

The year’s top student innovation project was created in the kitchen of a Donetsk apartment

Author: glove’s solar battery keeps it tory he says that the gloves are Valeria Burlakova working longer. just a prototype and are not ready “We know how hard it is for for commercial use. They still his year, Microsoft’s Imag­ people with hearing and speech need some upgrades before peo­ ine Cup, one of the biggest disabilities because some of our ple can actually use them in ev­ international student tech­ friends have them,” the winners eryday life. According to their es­ nology competitions, cele­ said of their motivation. “We timates, the cost of the glove T th brated its 10 anniversary. Over thought about how we could help would be very affordable – $75. 350 students from 75 countries them. That’s why we worked on They also admit that the com­ participated in the finals in Syd­ this social project.” petition was tough. “We had no ney, Australia. An international It took them nearly six spare time in Australia because jury selected the Ukrainian team months to create Enable Talk. we had to prepare well for the for first prize. Anton Pasternikov, Their masterpiece was created in presentation of our project,” the Maksym Osyka, Valeriy Yasakov the kitchen of a team member’s winners say. “But we couldn’t and Anton Stepanov, all students apartment, where they spent long help but notice the inventions of of the Donetsk branch of the nights constructing elements of other contestants.” “Step” Computer Academy, took the gloves. Anton Stepanov’s favourite first place in the Software Design projects come from Japan and competition. Portugal, and ended up in sec­ Their team is called Quad­ Ukrainians invent a glove ond and third place, respec­ Squad, alluding to their team of that turns gestures into tively. The Japanese team pre­ four. The device they presented at sented an energy-saving project Imagine Cup is called Enable speech that enables smart control of in­ Talk. As the name suggests, the terior lighting. The team from invention allows people with Before going to Australia, the Portugal, like QuadSquad from hearing and speech disorders to four students won the national fi­ Ukraine, also presented a proj­ speak. The four students designed nals in Kyiv in April 2012. Since ect that made life easier for dis­ special gloves that turn gestures then, they have been confident abled people. They designed a into speech. that it would work out. “We all be­ robot that would help people in The gloves contain built-in lieve in our team, and that this wheelchairs move their luggage, sensors, including an accelerom­ project has every chance to unite controlling the personal carrier eter, a gyroscope and even a com­ innovative technology in micro­ with gestures. pass. This allows the software to electronics and powerful Win­ The winners believe that monitor their position in space dows operating systems to make Ukraine has many more young and sense the bending of fingers, the world better not only for peo­ and talented inventors. And it’s while transmitting this data to a ple with hearing and speech dis­ not the lack of funding, time or cell phone. Special software de­ abilities, but for all of us,” Anton some illusionary obstacles that signed by the Ukrainian team Stepanov said after their victory stand in their way. “Most peo­ converts the data into a sound in Kyiv. ple just have no idea about signal that creates the new elec­ Still, he remains humble. Af­ these competitions,” the win­ tronic voice of the owner. The ter his team’s international vic­ ners claim. № 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|33 history|dissidents Firsthand Experience of the KGB’s “Refinement” he protocol of a case that Obituary was part of the political re­ “On 20 July, after a long struggle with pression campaign in the illness, dissident and one of the found- USSR, or the written testi­ ers of the 1960s’ Ukrainian samvydav1 T mony of the accused, or any passed away.” Such are the short an- other related documents, say nouncements of the death of Vasyl Lisoviy online and in daily newspapers. nothing about the condition of However, they miss some of the key as- the person whose words were pects of his life. Vasyl Lisoviy was one of written therein. Readers or re­ the most moral participants of the searchers can only guess at what 1960-1980s Resistance Movement and one of the most thor- stood behind his/her unexpected ough and deepest Ukrainian philosophers of the late 20th switch to side with the prosecu­ century, when he finally had the freedom to write and say tion. A lot has been done so far what he thought. to research the red terror, exe­ His life was the path of a man who did not simply search for cuted through its key tools, such the truth, but strove to live according to it. Born to a family as the Cheka, the Extraordinary of farmers, he graduated from the Taras Shevchenko Na- tional University of Kyiv with a degree in History and Philoso- Commission; the State Political phy, he subsequently become a Professor and Senior Fellow Directorate abbreviated as GPU at the Philosophy Institute. Meanwhile, he actively wrote in Russian; NKVD and MGB, the and distributed self-published literature from the early 1960s Ministry of State Security or so­ on. Then came 1972, when Ukraine saw a wave of arrests to viet intelligence agency in the completely eliminate the “nationalistic virus” once and for 1940-1950s. But the scale of IN THE KGB TRAP: all. The arrests did not touchVasyl Lisoviy, while many others their crimes against humanity is Ukrainian dissidents switched to the other side or hushed up, finding a compro- only now being gradually re­ celebrate Christmas in Lviv before the 1972 mise with the system. Together with Yevhen Proniuk, Vasyl vealed. In their introduction to Lisoviy issued the 6th edition of the self-published Ukrayinskiy arrests Visnyk (Ukrainian Newsletter) to publicise information about Cheka-GPU-NKVD in Ukraine, a those arrested and try to challenge the accusations against book published in 1997 in Kyiv, them of publishing previous issues. Later, he wrote an Open its authors Yuriy Shapoval, chives of the most dangerous Letter to the Members of the Central Committee of the Com- Volodymyr Prystaiko and Vadym documents in the early 1990s. munist Party of the Soviet Union and the Central Committee Zolotariov note the necessity to As for the KGB, there is of the Communist Party of Ukraine, in which he gave judi- create “the conceptual, factual enough evidence to characterise ciously and reasonably substantiated arguments as to why and resourceful basis for further the most important aspects of its the soviet system could not lead countries to progressive de- research.” Even though this need activity in the 1960-1970s. In velopment and the inevitability of its degradation and col- refers to the operation of special 1959, the Presidium of the Com­ lapse. In the end, after a devastating critique of the lawless- service units in Ukraine, most munist Party’s Central Commit­ ness of all cases against the Ukrainian intelligentsia, Vasyl Lisoviy demanded that the system arrest and judge him as major documents are stored in tee approved the Provision on well, because the reprisal against them was “aimed at the Moscow, if not destroyed. The the KGB under the USSR Council living Ukrainian nation and the living Ukrainian culture.” The fact that the GDR Stasi destroyed of Ministers. It said that the KGB response from the system was immediate: 7 years of labour their archives proved the sys­ “reports directly to and is con­ camps and 3 years of exile. tem’s fear of what might be re­ trolled by the Central Committee The Ukrainian Week presents Vasyl Lisoviy’s investigative vealed if these documents are of the Communist Party of the memoirs about the repressive techniques used by the KGB declassified. I don’t think that Soviet Union.” Its key responsi­ against the activists of the 1960-1980s dissident movement the KGB would pass up the op­ bilities, other than foreign intel­ in Ukraine. portunity to clean up their ar­ ligence and the discovery of spies 34|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 dissidents|history io nal r e gim s at Lo nt skoho St r eet , a mus e um for t h vic ims of occup o from t h e a rchiv s of P riso n at t P ho and saboteurs, included the concealing continued tortures. could still be committed, but struggle against “the hostile ac­ The KGB found it easier to hide only under the guise of special 1 Samvydav translates tivity of anti-soviet and national­ into English as self-pub- its complicity in various forms of operations. Moreover, not all istic elements in the USSR.” In lishing or grassroots pub- physical torture, including vio­ such measures were taken under lishing, used by dissidents 1967, a range of special units in the former Soviet lent beatings, in camps, disci­ written orders. Additional evi­ were merged into the notorious Union to evade official plinary cells and prisons, than in dence is needed to say accurately censorship. Fifth Directorate, created to 2 Alla Horska was a Ukrai- detention centers. But in the how exactly, and for what pur­ eliminate “ideological dissent.” nian painter and activist mid-1960s, its treatment of dis­ pose the KGB applied extreme from the generation of Needless to say, the introduction Shestydesiatnyky or the sidents during investigation was measures, such as torture and 1960s dissidents. She was of these minimum legal restric­ killed at her father’s-in- brutal. It secretly forged politi­ murders, after the mid-1960s. tions proved to be a positive step law apartment in 1970. cally motivated charges and used One such case was the brutal Officially, the investiga- 2 – at the very least, an element of tion found that her fa- provocations. Only some of these murder of Alla Horska (the like­ ther-in-law murdered her legitimacy. because of personal dis- forged cases have been disclosed lihood of KGB involvement in it As a result of these changes, like and then committed and made public so far (Vadym is very high). It may have been suicide. Even though au- physical torture in cells was can­ thorities hushed up talk Smohytel, Mykola Horbal, Vasyl an attempt to intimidate the en­ about her death, it celled, although with some ex­ caused an uproar both in Ovsienko and others). Murders, tire dissident movement in ceptions, so enforcers resorted to Ukraine and abroad. both abroad and in the USSR, Ukraine. But these were excep­ № 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|35 history|dissidents tional measures, executed “on the spot” with no relevant in­ structions being put on paper. Thus, the KGB became an en­ tity that wanted to preserve its “façade” of a show legitimacy (and that’s good enough) while hiding all of its dirty laundry in the shadow. It took into account the naïve frankness of various or­ ders and instructions from party bosses and Cheka people of the Stalin era in the operation of the repressive machine that used words, such as “contaminate”, “discredit”, “provoke” and others . The introduction of elements of

legitimacy required staff with le­ io nal r e gim s at gal training, therefore the KGB ranks were gradually joined by people, unwilling to take on the position of a “hawk”. This mir­ Lo nt skoho St r eet , a mus e um o from t h e a rchiv s of P riso n at rored similar trends in party t for t h e vic ims of occup structures. But in the KGB, as the P ho military branch, the disparity be­ tween moderate and radical views COLD No party or Cheka function­ sive tools against the dissident was less clear than in the party . ISOLATION: ary wanted to leave “traces”. and Helsinki movements in the Moscow dictated all impor­ Ukrainian Most “dirty” cases that were be­ 1960-1980s in the testimony and tant decisions, primarily those dissidents yond the boundaries of formal memoirs of dissidents and the related to personnel. One exam­ in exile to socialist legitimacy were classi­ research of historians Heorhiy ple was the removal of Petro the Komi fied as “operative work”. It is dif­ Kasianov, Anatoliy Rusnach­ Shelest (First Secretary of the Autonomous ficult to assess the dark side of enko, Yuriy Shapoval and others. Republic Central Committee of the Ukrai­ the KGB’s operations now, be­ They range from “soft” to the nian Communist Party in 1963– cause the documents that were most violent and extreme tools. 1972 who was inconvenient be­ not destroyed are still in classi­ The categories include preven­ cause of his Ukraine-oriented fied archives. This is especially tive and educational measures – position, even despite two waves true of the KGB’s technical exec­ the “persuasion” mostly being of dissident arrests during his utive department, established in limited to warnings, threats and time as leader of the Ukrainian 1959 and made up of a range of the application of some “tools of SSR – ed.). Another was the re­ special units. What investiga­ influence”; involving staff in placement of Vitaliy Nikitch­ tions, other than wiretapping public discussions on cases at enko, a “softer” chief of the and secret murders, were con­ committee meetings or through Ukrainian branch of the KGB, ducted for the purposes of this reprimands made at work; dis­ with the tougher Vitaliy Fedor­ department? How many people crediting; measures related to chuk in 1970. Ideologists strug­ worked on secret programmes at significant areas of life, the stake gled to spread the idea that the being a job, education, getting an series of tough punishments in the KGB became an entity academic degree or an apart­ Ukraine was the result of locals ment, the opportunity to publish “going over the edge.” Mean­ that wanted to preserve its one’s writings or art and threats while, they consistently re­ “façade” of a show against family members, espe­ moved any party or repressive cially children, and friends, etc; authority boss who did not legitimacy while hiding all preventive arrests; imprison­ prove determined enough, espe­ of its dirty laundry in the ment under criminal charges, in­ cially in fighting against “na­ cluding those resulting from tionalists.” In Ukraine, the so- shadow provocations; imprisonment un­ called “overstepping of bound­ der political charges; sending aries” resulted from the fact that various research institutions? people to asylums, as well as any chief or director down to the Even those who cooperated with crippling and murder. head of a kolkhoz, who was not the KGB on a voluntary or forced At that point, the communist tough or violent enough, inevi­ basis are reluctant to disclose in­ regime was twisted in convul­ tably not only lost his position, formation they know today be­ sions. Neither the social nor the but also faced the risk of being cause of the secrecy surrounding national aspects of the dominat­ repressed as a saboteur or ma­ its executive or operative activ­ ing ideology could withstand lingerer. The Kremlin dictated ity. I think their fear for their even the most primitive criti­ the scale and toughness of ver­ personal security is justified. cism. The bourgeoisie as a class, dicts in proceedings against Today, we have a pretty good i.e. the owners of production fa­ Ukrainian dissidents. description of the KGB’s repres­ cilities, no longer existed. The 36|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 dissidents|history idea of the impact of “bourgeois senters, would be helpful to the monstrative example of the use ideology” on the youth brought dissident movement. But I found of psychiatry as a tool against up in the communist system was it surprising to hear someone dissenters by the communist not convincing either, as that sharing stories of their visit to a special service, was the large- same youth included some lead­ detention center and assuming scale “purging” of Kyiv of ideo­ ing figures in the dissident confidently that all detention logically unreliable elements be­ movement, such as Ivan Svit­ centers were virtually the same fore the 1980 Olympics. Some of lychniy, Vyacheslav Chornovil, for everyone else. Aleksandr them, mainly dissidents, were Ivan Dzyuba, Ivan Drach and Bolonkin4 once published an ar­ placed in psychiatric hospitals. others. The regime faced its ma­ ticle about his previous impris­ I would like to note that quali­ jor defeat at the level of “preven­ onment at a press-cell5 in Ulan- fying dissenters’ actions as a type tive conversations” regardless of Ude. Without this, my experi­ of mental disorder was in line who conducted them. The “edu­ ence in the same circumstances with the “sound reason” of those cational campaign” already be­ would have remained unique. In ginning in kindergarten and pri­ my opinion, it is inconsistent to The KGB used psychiatry mary school can brainwash peo­ assume that the KGB only ple, but as soon as critical crossed the boundaries of formal to purge Kyiv thinking awakens, the effect of legitimacy behind the walls of a of "ideologically the brainwashing is ruined. A detention center or that it did crisis in ideology signals that its not resort to illegal actions unreliable elements" arguments lose their power of against people cut off from the before the 1980 Olympics persuasion. world in a detention center. Leonid Brezhnev’s coming to Everyone who judges another who failed to understand any eth­ power was the nomenclature’s prisoner’s behaviour under con­ ically motivated activism because attempt to rescue its dominating ditions of complete isolation, it contradicts the primary life in­ position, achieving “stabiliza­ based on his or her own experi­ terests of its performer. If a per­ tion” by reviving more deter­ ence, makes the tacit assumption son overcomes the fear that sig­ mined repression, aimed at that the KGB complied with gen­ nals a danger for it, then is he/she crushing the dissident move­ eral procedures. However, my is acting under the influence of ment. The verdicts that were personal experience does not hidden or even subconscious in­ much tougher for Ukrainian dis­ confirm this far too optimistic centives, albeit hiding them (even senters compared to those any­ assessment of the implementa­ if intuitively) behind ethical argu­ where else in the USSR, were tion of legal restrictions by the ments. Thus, such person must first and foremost caused by the KGB. I acknowledged a certain be guided by a “super-valuable national element: the loss of evolution in the KGB’s operation idea” as indicated in the “diagno­ Ukraine, albeit in the future, since the late 1950s and did not sis” of Petro Hryhorenko, a soviet would be the most painful blow consider all Cheka employees to general who in the 1960s, stood to Russian imperialism. be fanatical executors of their up for Crimean Tatars and other When I later looked at dissi­ bosses’ will. Still, I never under­ peoples deported by the Stalin re­ dents’ different interpretations estimated the KGB’s array of gime, or some sort of subcon­ of KGB activities, I found some tools and professionally trained scious motivation is concealed inconsistencies. For one thing, staff. behind these ethical arguments. they tended to underestimate the Compared to the terror of re­ People who never risked their KGB’s professionalism in using pressive structures that preceded comfort, let alone life, for ethical various practices and tools to the KGB under different names, reasons, saw such actions as a fight against the regime’s oppo­ a new obvious threat surfaced: manifestation of abnormality. nents. On their part, Western physical tortures were replaced In the 1960-1980s, the KGB special services seemed to be by attacks on nerves and mental consisted of pragmatic cynics 3 Bohdan Stashynsky is quite naïve about the methods health. The crisis of official ide­ the KGB assassin of Ukrai- rather than the fanatical follow­ and techniques of the KGB, just ology encouraged the idea that nian nationalist leaders ers of Lenin, therefore their Lev Rebet and Stepan as they were about the role of psychiatry could help in the situ­ Bandera “sound reason” was guided by scientific and technical develop­ ation. It was not a new idea, as this concept. Meanwhile, ethi­ 4 Aleksandr Bolonkin is a cally motivated moves fueled ments at the relevant units of so­ witnessed by the history of re­ soviet/American scientist viet special services. If Bohdan pression since the coming to in aviation, space, mathe- hidden jealousy, irritation and 3 matics and computers. Stashynsky had not outfoxed the power of the Bolsheviks sug­ The KGB arrested him in resentment in some people: this KGB (by escaping to the West gests. The idea of qualifying all 1972 for the distribution was another source of their ten­ of works by Sakharov and and explaining how he assassi­ dissidents as unable to adjust to Solzhenitsyn. After 15 dency, often subconscious, to years in camps and exile, nated Stepan Bandera at trial), the social environment offered he was released and sent discredit such activism and libel the scenario whereby the leader new opportunities. This strategy abroad in 1987. After that, it, coming up with all sorts of he taught at American of OUN, the Organization of was theoretically confirmed by universities, worked as a hidden motives that may have senior fellow at NASA and Ukrainian Nationalists, died of a several leading psychiatrists in US Air Force research lab- guided the activists, such as in­ heart attack would probably still Moscow (see Soviet Psychiatry. oratories sults, envy, the pursuit of glory, 5 In Russian prison slang, be held to be the truth. Misconception and Agenda by A. a press-cell is a means of pride, personal life, etc. In the This is not to say that the Korotenko and N. Alikina for torture whereby a pris- eyes of a materialist, ethical ide­ oner is put in a cell with concept of “the KGB knowing ev­ more details). This side of the hand-selected criminals alism is seen as something false, who exert psychological hence the consequence of mental erything” which Cheka members KGB’s scenarios continues to be or physical pressure to tried to spread to intimidate dis­ classified. Possibly the most de­ break the person. disorders. № 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|37 history|wwII in crimea

The Khersones Betrayal In July 1942, the soviet command shamefully retreated from Sevastopol, leaving its defenders to the mercy of fate

Author: years ago, at the be­ longed version of the first. This the reason being that it is a penin­ Ihor Losev ginning of July 1942, tragedy resulted from the rather sula which is only linked to the Sevastopol’s defence specific features of proletarian art mainland by a narrow strip of 70came to its tragic of war and the professional level of land. It was securely blocked and end. The last city defenders found the soviet commanders. the only solution for the enemy themselves isolated on the rocky would have been sea-borne troops cape. They had no chance of es­ AWKWARD STRATEGY and/or air assaults to stand any cape and found themselves with At the beginning of the German- chance of success. For the former only two choices; death or captiv­ Soviet war the Crimea’s defence option sea supremacy was needed, ity, the latter often meaning a pro­ potential looked almost perfect; however the Black Sea Fleet con­ 38|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 wwII in crimea|history DOOMED PEOPLE. o: a p t Abandoned by their own pho commanders Red Army soldiers had few chances of surviving German capture фото: a p фото: trolled the area and German and RUINED CITY. rushed deep into the territory. acknowledged German soldiers Romanian sea troops were much Sevastopol’s They were finally stopped near were totally exhausted. Meanwhile weaker than their soviet opposi­ panorama after Sevastopol. The city managed to his soviet counterparts of the Black tion. For the latter option it was the conquer of hold itself due to its connection Sea command and Sevastopol de­ necessary to conquer the airspace. the Wehrmacht with the mainland, meaning de­ fence district cared more about Besides this, strong Red Army fenders were provided with am­ their own rescue. On the night of troops were stationed on the pen­ munition transported by Black Sea June 30-1 July 1942 two subma­ insula which meant that any Ger­ Fleet vessels. But the Germans rines and 14 Douglas PS-84 trans­ man paratroopers entering with no managed to conquer the surround­ port aircrafts took about 500 rep­ support from outside the Crimea ing airspace and in the spring of resentatives of the command from risked total destruction. 1942 forced all soviet vessels out to Cape Khersones. These were party In spite of all their advantages, their Caucasian bases. Thus, it be­ members, soviet institutions work­ Red Army commanders made the came an extraordinary event for ers, security officers, admirals and decision to scatter their forces all any vessel to break through into generals. over the Crimea and provided no Sevastopol’s defence Sevastopol. But the city could have secure defence for the peninsula’s lasted survived with the necessary sup­ Heroic Escape ‘gate’, which was the Isthmus of port, so it was worth the vessels The main point here is that the Perekop. Field marshal Erich von 250 days, taking the risk. What is more, Field commanders abandoned their sol­ from Manstein breached the ‘gate’s’ de­ 30 October 1941 Marshal Von Manstein, com­ diers and rushed to the planned fences and German troops quickly to 4 July 1942 mander of the Sevastopol siege, evacuation site, which was their № 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|39 history|wwII in crimea

order from above. This event ef­ VESSEL LOSS. partisans in the city department the dangerous area, was simply fectively “decapitated” the de­ No connection of Interior Affairs Committee lo­ incredible. He informed Berlin fences. On the night of 2 July and support cated in the city centre. The de­ that he had taken his soldiers to abandoned servicemen organized from the main partment’s head, state security Stalingrad with an order to fight democratic elections of new com­ land had senior lieutenant Anatoliy Ne­ to the last bullet and that he in­ manders in place of the escapees. become the fiodov, had reasons for not burn­ tended to show them how to do it. decisive factors It was an unprecedented event for of the Red ing these discrediting documents Stalin always tried to save his gen­ Stalin’s empire, as servicemen re­ Army’s loss of and he essentially facilitated the erals from possible German cap­ placed their command without Sevastopol work of the Nazi intelligence ser­ ture, fearing another traitor like any control from the party or any vice. Street fights were still being General Andrei Vlasov. The fear administrative bodies, a true ex­ conducted and it was necessary to was not unreasonable, as during ample of military democracy. save super-valuable lives of pow­ the war a dozen Red Army gener­ Later, even in Khrushov’s time, erful representatives of the re­ als served together with Mr.Vla­ this fact was nearly never spoken gime, there was a poorly orga­ sov in the Russian Liberation about, as it was obviously not “po­ nized retreat of the troops to evac­ Army headquarters. litically correct” for the commu­ uation sites. The soldiers had to Meanwhile proletarian com­ nists. Such a story was nothing to cover those who had the exclusive manders shamefully left Cape be proud of, in particular the fact right to rescue. As Belorussian Khersones having abandoned their that Black Sea commander admi­ war historian Vladimir Beshanov soldiers and sailors who were sim­ ral Filipp Oktiabrskiy and Mari­ said, “When military commanders ply deemed to be cheap cannon time army commander General got on the planes and flew away fodder. The generals were trying to Petrov saved themselves having they sent a goodbye wave to the save themselves and did not even left at least 80,000 (up to 90,000, soldiers left behind and gave them think about ’bourgeois’ notions of by other sources) subordinates to honour and conscience. the merit of fate. Meanwhile the There was an incredible At the time of the 1853-1856 defending soldiers and sailors, Crimean War General Count Dmi­ having understood they had been gap between soldiers and triy Osten-Saken headed the evac­ betrayed, began shooting escap­ sailors and their military uation of Russian troops to the ees… Furthermore, the soviet northern part of Sevastopol. He command did not make any real commanders in the Red appeared on the pontoon bridge effort to help the last defenders of Army only after he saw the last soldier on Sevastopol. it, in spite of the risk of coming un­ The 500 “Spartans” who es­ der fire from the French and Eng­ caped from the city to the Cauca­ their last orders, “fight to the bit­ lish servicemen. Communist admi­ sus went on without any obstacles ter end” and “make a reversed rals and generals behaved in a to­ serving the country and gaining ti­ front attack”.” It is hard to imag­ tally different way. tles, positions and orders, while ine Friedrich Paulus leaving his those who were left on the Kher­ Sixth Army in Stalingrad, while REPRESSED MEMORY sones rocks were almost forgotten Hitler could not even think about After 1945 those who showed too about for 50 years. an opportunity to take the field much interest in the Cape Kher­ Having entered Sevastopol, marshal out of the siege. And sones tragedy would come under Wehrmacht soldiers found neat commander of the 14th tank corps, the surveillance of security bodies. folders with lists of soviet intelli­ General Hans-Valentin Hube ever The victims and survivors, having gence agents, secret soldiers and getting the Führer’s order to leave been to Nazi and often soviet con­ 40|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 SAVING THEIR TROOPS. Unlike soviet commanders in Crimea, Britons took care of the evacuation from Dunkirk of 300,000 men of allied forces in June of 1940 centration camps, preferred si­ no intention of saving only the lence on the subject. They had to chosen ones. Crossing the English live with the guilt complex of the Channel the soldiers left tens of capture of the town, which was the thousands of their helmets on the direct result of their commanders’ French coast; according to ancient deeds. Meanwhile, those same war tradition it was some kind of commanders returned from the greeting for the Nazis. It meant Crimea and went on commanding “we are going to come back!”, and without seeming to be guilt they did, in 1944. stricken at all. But the fighters of Cape Kher­ In accordance with the army’s sones did not get any support from ‘working-class and peasant’ title, the Black Sea Fleet, in spite of nu­ there was an incredible gap be­ merous promises. It was terrible; tween soldiers and sailors and “the coastal side of the sea was full their military commanders. There of heads of people swimming to the were absolutely no traces of a war boats… I watched two sailors pull­ ‘brotherhood’. Here is what one of ing a rope with a man and then I the victims of Cape Khersones saw two or three men catching this tragedy remembers: “The dock rope and then all of them falling and bridge were full of people. into the sea, and that was the case Captain 3rd class Iliychev, ap­ for all the boats… All the coast line pointed by Mr.Oktiabrskiy, as right out to the boats was covered head of the evacuation, was sta­ with people… And in the morning tioned on the rock… He and his all visible coast line was covered riflemen shot front troops in or­ with a layer, seven-eight bodies der to stop them swimming to the high, of thousands of dead people rock and fired short bursts on bathed by the waves… Bodies of those trying to swim to the boat”. drowned men in different poses Another recollection: “The evacu­ could easily be seen in water.” ation of injured people by air The soviet military machine started in the dark…, but, in fact, was as cruel, ineffective and waste­ only the strongest people could ful as the whole totalitarian re­ get on the planes. I was supposed gime. It was the idea to conceal the to get on the third plane, but obvious facts that made the soviets when trying to board it I got a create a huge historiagraphy about good kick from one of the service­ the so called ‘Great Patriotic War’, men and fainted”. an enormous myth system about After the Wehrmacht’s 1940 “the unconquerable and legend­ destruction of France, The British ary” Red Army, about “the great Navy took around 300,000 Brit­ victory” and “the liberation mis­ ish, French and Belgian soldiers sion” of Stalin’s Army. It is unfor­ from Dunkirk. The best forces of tunate that these myths still live on Her Majesty’s Navy were brought today, not only in Russia, but also in to save them. There was simply in Ukraine. culture & arts|comics Graphic Novels In spite of the rapid development of comic books in Ukraine, the genre rarely captures wide public attention. The Ukrainian Week takes an insight into why this is the case

Author: he term “comic” has the hint of “Comic” is a common term for taliy Sichkarchuk, also known as In­ Olena something comical and there­ “funny”, says painter Oleksiy Che­ fernal Bulba. “Comics helped me il­ Maksymenko fore light-hearted, which is the bykin, although of course, not all lustrate certain examples for my stu­ Treason for its relevant percep­ these stories are funny. The Euro­ dents. This genre is unique and tion as light reading material for teen­ pean standard classification is that undemanding, no special training is agers. Skeptics would be surprised if comics are only published in the US. required for it. Of course there are they looked into the past and saw that The French use the term “bande highly technical comics, but at the one of the first drawings stories was dessinée” meaning a “strip of paint­ same time, it is possible to draw made in a Japanese convent in the ings”; the Japanese call them something really primitive in terms 12th century. It was the Buddhist “manga” etc. Each nation has its own of technique and people will still ac­ monk, Toba (or Kakuyū), who illus­ product with an individual name and cept it!” trated four humorous stories. Two of origin. It is only the method of con­ them were about animals imitated by veying information that is common – FROM CAVE TO TEMPLE OLD NEW HEROES. people, while the other two ones were all the rest is completely different.” In Chebykin’s view, comics have Oleksiy about monks violating rules, particu­ Ukrainian experts of this genre refer their origins in cave paintings. An­ Chebykin’s larly their participation in cock-fights. to them as “graphic novels”. cient people tried not only to draw a Cossacks cope The basics of the genre in its modern A message conveyed profes­ picture, but also show a story, it was with both form, namely movements and ges­ sionally in the form a of comic, can a chain of events describing the ani­ samurais and tures, were taken from these first play the role of a perfect driving force. mal chase, for instance. “In all likeli­ dragons works. “I used to teach in school,” says Vi­ hood, the first inscriptions trans­

42|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 comics|culture & arts formed into hieroglyphs and ancient DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMICS COMING OUT fonts, he says, as for the Egyptians, Silent comics OF THE UNDERGROUND they painted actual comic strips! Or Graphic novels do not necessarily contain text, there are The art of graphic novel art is devel­ take Chinese inscriptions, the hiero­ “silent comics” with a graphic description of the plot, so oping rapidly in Ukraine, but comics glyph for a “house” really looking like that there is no need for words. Arzak by Moebius (Jean Gi- are rarely widely circulated. Cur­ a house, and a hieroglyph for a raud) is one of the most famous comics of this type. rently the painters of comics that “man” is made up of a “trunk, arms Photocomic The Ukrainian Week has spoken and legs…”. Greece gave us the tradi­ Photocomic is a different type of comic, although not all au- to, see only two means of survival. tion of painting hagiographies thors and painters of traditional graphic novels recognize it The first is to “go” to Russian pub­ around icons! Looking at local as such. In a comic of this sort, photos serve to convey the lishing houses, because domestic plot instead of drawings. Famous actors, toys or the most church paintings, it’s possible to read well-known Internet memes can be characters in these sto- versions of this genre are literally almost the whole Bible. They are a ries. Work on photocomics became a basis for the plot of The not published in their pure form in combination of a Saint’s image and White Sheik, the first full-length film by Federico Fellini. Ukraine. The second is to hide in the an accompanying text.” The tradi­ art underground, which is blossom­ tion of “illustrated novels” (so named ing on the Internet and in indepen­ by French surrealist Georges Sa­ called manga, in Korea it’s called dent duplication. “Many artists work doul), dates back to the 16th or 17th manhwa, in Taiwan –manhua, etc.” with Russians and I plan to do so as centuries, when drawings, largely of Just like in anything else, the well,” says Anna – “it’s not about the a religious nature, were distributed Japanese stick to traditions, when money, I just want to do what I love. among common people in Barcelona creating comics. Mangas are still They look for authors, while we have and Valencia. These were hagiogra­ painted in ink, they are black and plenty of them, but there’s no room phy texts in the form of imprints of white and the drawings are pre­ for publishing comics.” The artist tiny engravings on coloured paper, sented in a back to front order, ac­ thinks Ukrainian publishers do not called “hallelujahs”. In time, they cording to the rules of local orthogra­ want to risk with an experiment of were mass-produced at factories. PUNK WARS. phy. By the way, authors usually in­ this sort, even though it promises The modern form of graphic Sviatoslav sist on the same order in translated them profit. She is convinced that novels became popular in Europe Paschuk, editions, saying that it is crucial for comics spark interest, but publish­ and the US almost simultaneously, professional the proper perception of the story. ers are very cautious about them. but the more practical Americans illustrator were the first to establish a commer­ and director, cial basis for them. The first busi­ devotes his free ness comic was made up of stories time to comics entitled Yellow Kid. “Asian tradition was quick to penetrate Europe and the US,” says Anna Isayenko, man­ UNCOMPRO-­­ gaka (the term used for Asian comic MISING. painters), known as Sakura. That is Infernal Bulba’s her nickname, and most mangakas heroes never have one. “The Japanese school is give up

№ 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|43 culture & arts|comics “Ukrainian language comics are generally more prevalent in under­ ground publishing houses, as unfor­ tunately, official publications prefer Russian-language products, the same applies to the mass media and cinematography,” says Chebykin. “In our country it is still common to consider the Russian Federation as a broader market, therefore it is more economically viable to publish ev­ shchuk erything in Russian, so that it can be a sold both at home and abroad.” v p In view of the obscure status of os la local graphic novels it is too early to svi at talk about Ukraine's own comic ferent and separated from the Euro­ ANIMATING which the image was closely linked school. But Infernal Bulba believes pean school, although that is where THE STORY. to decorative interpretation, which that this could also be our advan­ its roots lie. The first representatives From strokes to is where the naïve artists we know tage. “The absence of a school has its of this school studied in Germany, shading come from. Ukrainian graphic art is benefits, as there are no limits,” he namely at the Munich Academy. close to the Latin American.” stipulates. “Maybe this will influence Many of them gained their knowl­ the development and the establish­ edge in Russia, from artists who BEYOND SUPERMAN ment of a unique trend in Ukraine.” studied in Italy. Lviv has its own This genre was already known in Still, according to Oleksiy Chebykin, particular situation, since its resi­ Ukraine before the latter became ac­ a Ukrainian graphic novel school is dents had close relations with Po­ quainted with the term “comic” and emerging nevertheless. “Our school land and Germany until 1920, which examples of graphic novels from Eu­ really differs from those in France, is noticeable in its art… Kyivan-Rus rope. Graphic and illustrator, Heo­ Russia, Moldova … It’s difficult for provided art with symbiosis, with rhiy Malakov, is one of its leading me to characterize its distinctive fea­ the Greek school of the Byzantine THE EURO figures. As a child he invented sev­ tures… The difference is in the Empire combined with Scandina­ IN COMICS. eral models of this genre –he lived graphic material. The Ukrainian vian minimalism and structure. Yas and Ivas by in Kyiv during the Nazi siege, imag­ graphics school has always been dif­ Later we had “realistic baroque” in Ihor Bezhuk ining a hero and drawing stories

MANGA, UKRAINIAN-STYLE. Sakura, a book graphic artist creates a “girly” fantasy

44|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 comics|culture & arts about war… Famous artist Ihor there? Do you want a gangster COMICS IN THE WORLD Vyshynskiy, who illustrated many story? Well, we have Troye­ Manga children’s books, also created actual shchyna…1 Do you think Chicago is “Manga” means grotesque or “fanciful drawings”, though comic strips about his friends and scarier?” In historical plots there’s their genres may be really different, ranging from children’s fellow-artists. He created images for always Japan and samurais, because stories or fantasy to horror, erotica, politics or business stories. them, funny situations, painted a “It’s cool!” What about our Cossack In Japan manga makes up nearly a quarter of total printed output, all the publishing houses have relevant departments, fictional country in the center of Eu­ Sirko, riflemen, epic heroes, Cos­ while the profession of a mangaka is highly respected. In addi- rope where people from different sacks… The list is never-ending! I tion to professional mangas, there are also dōjinshi, amateur nations lived. This work was made have been interested in history since comics, published at up of more than 300 pages. Cur­ I was a kid. All these Teutons, the author’s ex- rently, his wife has the original and Knights, King Arthur, the Holy pense. Many re- his friends have photocopies. An ex­ Grail… But in time, I understood spected mangakas ample of a “graphic novel” is the that this was only good presenta­ started their careers book Ukraine's Battle, which tells tion! I want to make kids not only with dōjinshi. A typi- the history of the Ukrainian Insur­ play the musketeers, but also Cos­ cal stereotype re- gent Army (UPA). This booklet is sacks! I want to make Cossacks as lated to the man- gas, are the notori- actually a successful reprint of mate­ interesting as Japanese ninjas! The ous “large eyes”. rial from 1953 in Philadelphia, a Asian cinematographer gained suc­ First of all, not all newspaper published in the dias­ cess via martial arts! They made a Japanese comic pora (USA). legend out of wu shu, while in fact it characters have really large eyes; secondly, large eyes were “As you know, at present, the is only a fight! I’d like children to copied from American cartoons. Osamu Tezuka was inspired book business in Ukraine is not very know that Cossacks are not limited by animated films about Betty Boop, in which the lead charac- strong,” says Oleksiy Chebykin. “A to men dressed in sharovary, the ter is a girl with large eyes. Later, other mangakas caught on 50-page graphic novel requires at traditional baggy trousers. I want to the trend and large-eyed characters became a mainstream least six months of work. I can imag­ them to know that they are cooler style. However, in addition to this, there are also photorealis- tic, grotesque and other styles of drawing. ine the royalty amount that the artist that knights, musketeers or ninjas! should receive. Is there a publishing It could be a new worldwide brand.” American comic house in Ukraine that is ready to pay “We have a vast space that needs The first US comic,The Little Bears was published in The him and the author for this period? to be filled, great potential, an in­ San Francisco Examiner in 1892. The comic strip quickly be- In addition, the work I am doing credible number of our own super­ came a “trademark” of editor, William Randolph and was now is only the outline. Someone heroes!” Bulba believes. “Superman, adopted by his competitor, Joseph Pulitzer. Hogan's Alley has to colour it in, an editor is also Batman, the Ninja Turtles… Mean­ by Richard F. Outcault was the first mass comic to make the required… All of this is pretty expen­ while we have a lot to play with, we genre a commercial one. The lesser character, a boy sive. Painters who are serious about have our own characters!” dressed in a yellow outfit, was really loved by readers and their art, have stopped waiting for Also, artists find inspiration in the author made terms and orders, they simply draw. modern days. For instance, Ihor him a lead charac- This was the path taken by Poland, Bezhuk took Euro 2012 for his ter. Superman, Batman, Spider- where the first comics were made on comic adventures of Yas and Ivas, man, Captain a Xerox and sold almost for free.” the symbol-boys of the tournament America and other The story of Cossack Maksym, from Poland and Ukraine. Enthusi­ superheroes ap- the Wasp by Ihor Baranko, one of the asts do not wait for publishers to peared (and some most prominent artists in this genre, knock on their doors. Instead, they of them were even made the long journey from a Bel­ work on joint projects, festivals and born) in graphic gian publishing house, which pub­ virtual communities. novels. The comic lished it in French, to Poland, before “I once received a proposal to genre even drew the attention of Stephen King who cre- coming to Ukraine, where it was first design calendars and during the ated a story about the first American vampire. published in Russian and only later meeting, the client, a very well- in Ukrainian, on the demand of fans. known man, stated that he was a French BD (bandes dessinées) “This story is written in a classic noir fan of my creative work,” says In­ It is one of the oldest European traditions of this genre, with detective story style,” Chebykin says. fernal Bulba. “I was both pleased its own school and numerous followers throughout the world. It is worth mentioning some cult authors: Jean Giraud, known “Now everyone is waiting to see and shocked, since I never thought as Moebius, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Albert Uderzo, Hergé (Ol- whether Ihor will continue the ad­ that such people would read my ivier Ledroit). The latter two have gone down in history as the ventures of his cossack.” comics. Maybe this means that authors of humorous and children’s comics (they created such One of the first works by Oleksiy there is a shortage of certain kinds characters as Tintin Chebykin entitled Noviy Borysfen of literature; the field of humour is and Astérix), the (New Borysthenes) was a fantasy re­ scarce in Ukraine. We only see one others are known interpretation of Kyivan-Rus his­ style on TV – stand-up jokes. Hav­ for their avant- tory, the principal characters being ing a limited choice, people enjoy garde phantasma- Prince Volodymyr, epic hero Do­ anything. I can’t see any obstacles goric works with a brynya and Princess Olha… “When for the circulation and development hint of craziness, lots of adventures, this story was published, people of this genre! There is plenty of erotica, adventures were obsessed with J.R.R.Tolkien room for movement and everyone and gloomy pictures and I was pleased to discover that can find their own niche.” of the future. By the tolkienists were interested in “Bo­ way, French artists rysfen,” says the artist. “When a 1 Troyeshchyna is a giant bedroom district in the left-bank of the genre drew a comic based on the story of Taras Bulba, suburbs of Kyiv known for lower real estate prices com- a legendary Zaporizhian Cossack character in the eponymous young artist says “I’ll draw a story of pared to the rest of the capital, bad public transport infra- Chicago,” I ask “Have you been structure and notorious criminal situation historical novella by Gogol. № 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|45 navigator|reviews & event calendar films n 22 July, one of Ukraine’s best actors died. Like everyone else, Bohdan Stupka was often controversial and sometimes odious. His work Oas Minister of Culture, participation in entities The Best 8 Roles established by Viktor Yanukovych, theater conflicts as Creative Director for the Ivan Franko Ukrainian Drama Theater and many more aspects of his life will spark de­ bate after the country stops mourning the great actor. of Bohdan Stupka For now, he is remembered as the actor who conveyed the entire range of human emotions, feelings, actions and characters on the screen, transforming from Bo­ hdan Khmelnytsky into Ivan Mazepa and Leonid Bre­ Author: zhnev, a Ukrainian guerilla fighter or a KGB officer, a Yaroslav Pidhora-Hviazdovsky priest or an atheist father.

White Bird with Black Mark (1970) With Fire and Sword (1999)

One of Bohdan Stupka’s first roles, it immediately drew the eyes of the Yet another and probably the best-known of all his controversial entire former Soviet Union to the young actor. He played a fantastic role films is difficult to imagine without Stupka’s character. The audience as a guerilla fighter in the UPA, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, the exis- remembers this slightly melodramatic yet epic film for Stupka’s per- tence of which the KGB had been hiding for many years. This should have fect interpretation of Bohdan Khmelnytsky’s genius and the comic ruined his career, but it made him into a national hero who did not end presentation of Cossacks as drunkards, bawlers and boors. The role up behind bars. Some say that the negative side of his character, which of Bohdan Khmelnytsky brought him the Order of Merit of the Re- he played to perfection on the screen, saved him from jail. The most -im public of Poland. The film did well at the box-office, but sparked a portant thing was that for the first time in history, we saw the first film storm of protest both in Ukraine and Poland. about UPA with an approximate explanation of where it had come from.

Events 22–26 August 1 September, 10 p.m. 6–9 September KinoLev Skovorodub Live In Blue Bay 2012 Culture and Arts Department, HOME Concept Club Blue Bay resort Les Kurbas Lviv Academic (2, Boulevard Perova, Kyiv) (120, vul. Lenina, Koktebel) Theater, Kinopalats, Bernarden- Fall dance season kicks off with the Over 120 Ukrainian and interna- Garden (18, vul. Valova; 3, first national dub-step festival, des- tional musicians will play on stage vul. Les Kurbas; 9, vul. Koper- tined to be the No.1 event for fans during the three-day jazz festival. nika; 18a, vul. Valova, Lviv) of electronic music. World dub-step The audience will see Kejaleo, a Lviv invites everyone to the 7th music stars, such as Xilent, Rednek, flamenco-fusion-jazz band from International Independent Film xKORE, Millions Like U and Docu- Spain; Fil Straughan & Continent Festival. Movie fans will have 4 ment One will come from all over from London; The Clients, a Swiss days to savour the best of world the world to perform at the festival. jazz band; Spaghetti Swing from cinematography, presented in Ukrainian performers will include Italy and Ukrainian salsa band several blocs: Alternative Films; Tapolsky, VovKING, Lime Kid and Dislocados. Every concert will end Rock Music in Films; Claude Perfecta. Accord- with a jam session Chabrol Retrospective; Ale ing to organizers, where musicians kino! and many more. The Ukraine can really will not simply patron of this year’s festival be considered as improvise, but also is Serhiy Paradzhanov, so a base-country, create their own his films, including Shadows where dub-step impromptu jazz. of Forgotten Ancestors, is the symbol of a Ukrainian Rhapsody and new generation. Ashik Kerib will be part of the programme. 46|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 reviews & event calendar|navigator A Prayer for Hetman Mazepa (2001) Heart in Hand (2008)

Despite Mazepa’s grand figure in history and the accurate depiction of The role of an oligarch was a double pleasure for Stupka. The role was historical details, the film did not succeed in becoming the integral, com- offered to the actor by Krzysztof Zanussi, a well-known Polish director, prehensible, popular and wished-for allowing Stupka to play some- grand piece. Director Yuriy Illenko thing that was new for him af- overdid the film with excessive farce, ter numerous roles depicting sarcasm and irony, but failed to fit party members, military officers all his ideas into a relevant directo- and other subordinates. Stupka rial form. Even Stupka was unable became that oligarch – he to save it – surprisingly, his charac- played his part with irony, hu- ter lacks originality. mor and joy.

Our Boys (2004) Chantrapas (2010)

One of the best war films and one of Bohdan Stupka’s best roles, for Otar Ioseliani gave Stupka a supporting role in his film. He plays a which he won a prize at the Moscow Film Festival. The village elder he game within a game as he finds himself in the skin of someone who plays inspired an original image he decided the fate of actors and later used in other films. It shows how directors, including his own, in the camera “loves” Stupka as it mysti- soviet times. Stupka has never cally or metaphysically merges with had the opportunity to play him into an integral image. The fact God, but he hinted at the simi- that the actor appears unshaven and larity of the roles of ministers with a mean spark in his eyes does not and God in the film and his ruin the picture. character.

The Rabbit over the Void (2005) Home (2011)

Phantasmagoria was not a typical genre for Stupka, although he later His character, albeit not a central one, brings forth the main idea of acted in a phantasmagoric film by Kira Muratova, and did a great job of the film about families where parents raise their children with beat- passing the test. In his character of Leonid Brezhnev escaping in a hot air ings, shouting and orders. As a balloon, Stupka combined all the well- result, the families mutated known clichés and added a bit of histori- into nests of evil, with the chil- cal reality. Despite being original and of dren becoming criminals or good quality, the film failed at the box- crooks, the only hope of stop- office. Rumour has it that he did not take ping or changing anything, be- any money for the role, because he sim- ing death. Home is the last ply wanted to play around and have completed feature film of Boh­ some fun, which he did. dan Stupka.

10–23 September 12 September, 7 p.m. 12–16 September Republic I Will Survive Publishers’ Forum in Lviv Old town Stereo Plaza The Palace of Arts, Potocki (Kamianets-Podilsky, (17, vul. Kikvidze, Kyiv) Palace (15-17, vul.Kopernika, Khmelnytska Oblast) Ukrainian rock-band Druha Rika will Lviv) The festival is comprised of several join its efforts with other musicians The 19th Publishers’ Forum, one of sections; art, music, books, art- to play a charity gig, the purpose of the greatest book events of the year, house films and an eco-campaign. which is to collect funds to purchase will once again take place in Lviv. The artistic section will span nearly necessary medical equipment for This year’s Forum is expecting nearly two weeks. Artists from Ukraine, cancer treatment facilities. The con- 800 participants from Ukraine, Rus- Spain, Poland, Russia and Belarus cert will star some top-rate Ukrainian sia, Poland and Israel. They will pres- will paint the facades of buildings. rock-bands, from Okean Elzy and ent their newest books, hold work- Gigs and concerts with Ukrainian Boombox to Krykhitka, S.K.A.I., Bah- shops, discussions and autograph and foreign bands will last for three roma, O. Torvald and others. “We sessions. Special guests will include days, featuring Skri- don’t ask people to Vida Ognjenović, abin, Liapis Trubets- run around the town a famous Serbian koi, Tabula Rasa, with posters… Just writer; Adam Za- White Coffin, Ot come to the concert, gajewski, a Lviv-born Vinta, Orchestr Che enjoy some good Polish poet; Martin and many others. A old rock-n-roll and Pollack, an Austrian 3-day eco-campaign save a life,” says journalist and trans- will involve cleaning Valeriy Kharchyshyn, lator; and Polish of the Smotrych the leader of Druha essayist Henryk River canyon. Rika. Grynberg. № 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|47 navigator|crimea Cavemen For two thousand years Tepe Kermen, the lost city in mountainous Crimea, has been attracting people willing to live there Author: Oleg Apostolov Photographer: Oleg Stukalov

Armiansk

Krasnoperekopsk

Pervomaiske Dzhankoy

Krasnohvardiyske Chornomorske

Oktiabrske Lenino Kerch Sovetskyi Evpatoria Pryozerne Hvardiyske Bilohorsk Saky Simferopol Staryi Krym Feodosia (Old Crimea)

Tepe Kermen Sudak Alushta Bakhchysarai Seva opol Yalta Hurzuf

Haspra

48|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 crimea|navigator he area still conceals a lot of which looks like a sugar head, on It was around the 10th century secrets, while local medieval top of which one can still see the that Tepe Kermen turned into a sites are among the least remnants of a very ancient for­ ‘classical’ medieval urban centre, Tstudied ones in Ukraine. tress. The whole rock is covered with its settlements surrounded with numerous grottos and by strong defensive walls and GUARDING THE BYZANTINE caves, placed in a special order, filled with surface-mounted stone BORDER almost like an ancient necropo­ constructions. At the final stage of The ancient settlement Tepe lis…” the city’s history the majority of Kermen has been lying on top of Tepe Kermen stands for ‘hill the cave spaces were used for the 530-metre-high lost moun­ fortress’ or ‘peak fortress’ in household activities, in particular tain rising over the Kacha River Crimean Tartar. The construction as cattle sheds, food and military Valley for about ten million probably dates back to the 6th cen­ storehouses and even as tanks for years. The 1 ha plateau contains tury, when Emperor Justinian I de­ water storage. The decline of the around 250 cave formations. cided to strengthen the northern settlement is dated near the end of Here is what historian Johann border of the Byzantine Empire. the 13th, or the beginning of the Erich Tunmann wrote after a However, there is another version 14th centuries. According to some visit to the Crimea in 1777: “Tepe which says Tepe Kermen was versions, in spite of the advanta­ Kermen, meaning a castle on the founded by migrant monks from geous strategic location of the city, peak, is a high, large mountain northern regions of the Empire. Tepe was taken by storm and

№ 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|49 navigator|crimea

practically wiped off the face of the Later it became clear these were earth by the Tartar Golden Horde the years of large-scale archaeo­ troops of Isa Nogai. logical excavations. It is worth mentioning that the research ONCE SEEN, NEVER into the caves was almost limited FORGOTTEN to these excavations, which re­ “Going to Tepeshka?” a woman sulted in questions mostly, asked us, seeing three confused rather than in answers, for the tourists with enormous back researchers of Crimean antiq­ packs. “It’s just that guests are uity. It is also interesting that quite rare here, even in the holi­ neither the cave city, nor the day season… You should turn to whole locality within a 4-kilome­ the left after passing the village, tre radius, present the visitor and then you’ll be five kilometres with any water source. If there from the site,” she added and dis­ was one, it dried up a long time appeared behind her garden gate. ago. According to one Tepe Ker­ Nearby we saw a mule tied to the men researcher, it might have fence, which looked really exotic been the very reason for the end to us tourists from the capital. of the almost half a thousand Finally we found three paths year history of the city fortress. and after a little wandering In spite of the distinct lack of through an oak forest we saw a water on the plateau and a defi­ wide lawn overgrown by weeds. nite shortage of natural fuel for There was a fantastic view of a pla­ fire, Tepe Kermen has been the teau which looked severe and un­ home for many months now for approachable. “So, here’s Tepe! one contemporary girl we met The landscapes are really cool there. “You must know every­ here,” all of us said. thing here!” – “Of course, I do, We had to climb quite an ar­ I’ve been living on Tepe for al­ duous hill, but we were then re­ most a year,” the confident warded with the most incredible young girl, looking somewhat landscape of the Crimean Moun­ marginal, told us. She came to tains and a beautiful orange sun­ our cave to get acquainted with set which gave a slight inner glow and inform the new ‘guests’ of lo­ to the snowy peaks. cal peculiarities. “You definitely Having chosen a wide cave have to visit the cave temple, the we pitched our tent, started a fire ‘aborigine’ went on, as far as I and turned on our flashlights to know, it was carved in the 5th or look around. We found the fol­ 7th century and is well pre­ lowing line of pencil inscrip­ served,” she said disappearing as tions: 1912, 1940, 1961, 1970. unexpectedly as she had come. 50|the ukrainian week|№ 13 (36) august 2012 crimea|navigator

tions on the walls of the church. Nowadays there is no ancient graffiti here, but you can easily see carved inscriptions saying ‘Kharkiv’, ‘1910’ with no protec­ tion plate or signs nearby… Besides this cult site, there are several cave temples on the pla­ teau. The so called ‘church with sacristy’ dating from the 12th and the 13th centuries was the best preserved of all. In general it is now known that Tepe Kermen sacral sites were not abandoned, even after the decline of the city, they were widely used by the Greek population of the nearest valleys and some hermit monks, which was proven by researchers’ accidental discovery of monk Mykolay’s epitaph dated in the 16th century. Though ancient sites and the We tried hard to find the un­ with baptistery’, this is how this ‘un-researched area’ of Tepe Ker­ remarkable, half-covered en­ site is called in numerous Tepe men are not the reason for its pop­ trance to the recommended cave Kermen guides, is dated from the ularity among tourists, it really is a temple and it was such a true rev­ 11th or the 12th centuries, accord­ rather incredible landscape open­ erence of discoveries when we ing to researchers. It is worth ing from the plateau peak. Every­ did, that we felt ourselves practi­ mentioning a cave temple of this one, who has had an opportunity cally jumping for joy inside. We sort is a unique site, not only for to see a sunset or sunrise here, will expected to see a ‘classical’ small the Crimean peninsula or never forget it. “How do you like cave of the mountainous Crimea Ukraine, but for the whole of the scenery?” a smiling tourist with some remnants of an altar Eastern Europe! The temple is travelling by himself asked us. “It and a couple of religious ‘attri­ unique due to its interior, which is marvellous, isn’t it? I’ve been butes’ perhaps, but we were sur­ can only be seen in some cave coming here regularly for 20 years prised to see a spacious light area temples of Cappadocia, Anatolia and you’re going to come back with several niches on the floor (on the territory of modern Tur­ here too, you’ll see. You will surely and on the wall, numerous carved key) and Syria. Besides this, ar­ come back… So, would you like crosses and, what is more, a chaeologists have found numer­ some cognac?” We could not help uniquely preserved baptismal ous half-effaced Greek, Armenian but accept the proposition, having place and columns. ‘The church and even ancient Jewish inscrip­ no desire to say no. № 13 (36) august 2012|the ukrainian week|51