Inside: l Photo follow-up: 39th UNA Convention – pages 4-5 l Illinois Ukrainians remember the Holodomor – page 8 l Film review: “Legends of Carpathians” – page 13

ThePublished U by thekrainian Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationeekly Vol. LXXXVI No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 $2.00

FOR THE RECORD Kyiv hosts global following of soccer in Champions League final U.S. calls on Russia by Mark Raczkiewycz KYIV – Some 50,000 fans from every to account for MH17 corner of the world made Ukraine’s capital The press release below, titled “Calling their destination to watch Liverpool FC and Russia To Account for Malaysia Airlines Real Madrid play for top honors in Europe’s Flight MH-17,” was issued on May 25 by most prestigious soccer club tournament U.S. State Department Spokesperson on May 26. Heather Nauert. (The italics in the text Four city blocks of the host city’s main are those of the State Department.) thoroughfare, the Khreshchatyk, was trans- formed into a fan zone on May 24-27, com- We strongly support the decisions by plete with on-stage entertainment, exhibi- the Netherlands and Australia to call tion five-on-five soccer matches, food and Russia to account for its role in the July beverage venues, autograph sessions and 2014 downing of Malaysia Flight 17 chances to take pictures with the (MH17) over eastern Ukraine and the Champions League trophy. horrific deaths of 298 civilians. It is time While nearly 62,000 spectators attended for Russia to acknowledge its role in the the final match at the Olympic Stadium, an shooting down of MH17 and to cease its additional 15,000 spectators watched Real callous disinformation campaign. best Liverpool 3-1 outdoors at Kontraktova As the findings of the Joint Ploshcha (square) in the historic Podil Investigative Team made clear, the Buk neighborhood in what was the final’s first missile launcher used to bring down public screening ever. Mark Raczkiewycz the passenger aircraft is owned by the Europe’s chief soccer governing body, The Champions League fan zone along the Khreshchatyk in Kyiv fills up on May 25. Russian Federation and was assigned the Union of European Football to the Russian 53rd Anti-Aircraft and in previous days, there was not a single Liverpool fans hospitalized after attacking Associations (UEFA), consisting of 55 mem- mistake. Thank you for your hospitality, I them on the night of May 24-25 at the Brigade near Kursk. It was brought ber associations, organized the super- into sovereign Ukrainian territory am convinced that at least half of the fans Rooster pub near the Olympic Stadium. The charged event with Ukrainian soccer great will return to Kyiv again.” group calls itself “Troublemakers” and from Russia, was fired from territory Andriy Shevchenko as the final match’s controlled by Russia and Russia-led Drama and violence did accompany the posted videos of the incident on its ambassador. He won the tournament in forces in eastern Ukraine, and was event. Facebook page. It claims to be composed of 2003 playing for AC Milan and is currently then returned to Russian territory. We Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius com- supporters of the defunct Kyiv CSKA soccer Ukraine’s national soccer team coach. urge Russia to adhere to UNSCR 2166 mitted what appeared to be two elementa- club, an eponymous name of a Moscow UEFA president Aleksander Cefrin and respond to Australia’s and the ry mistakes in front of the net that led to team. The so-called “ultras” fan group praised Kyiv and Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko for Netherlands’ legitimate requests. the final score’s two-goal margin. He “infi- “warned” that the incident was only “prac- the “excellent organization” after the tour- Russia’s aggression in Ukraine since nitely” apologized on Twitter afterwards, tice” regarding the fate of English fans who nament’s culmination. 2014 has led to more than 10,300 con- and many of his teammates defended him, will attend the World Cup that Russia will “It should not be forgotten that this is flict-related deaths, including those lost saying that the club wins and loses together host for a month starting on June 14. the largest sport event of a global level that in the MH17 tragedy. It is more than as a unit. is not easy to organize,” he said. “Yesterday, time for Russia to end this violence. A group of masked men left two (Continued on page 7) Ukrainian Institute of America celebrates its 70th anniversary by Roman Czajkowsky Over the years, the institute’s activities have grown exponentially: In 2017 alone, the UIA saw 39 events, NEW YORK – On April 28, at a sold-out gala at ranging from concerts, art exhibits, film, and confer- the National Historic Landmark home of the ences on Ukraine’s history, to book presentations, Ukrainian Institute of America on New York City’s programs for children and young professionals, and 79th Street and Fifth Avenue, members and friends much more. An interactive “Windows on Ukraine” of the institute toasted a big milestone in the cultur- permanent exhibit, recently introduced, is popular al organization’s existence – its 70th anniversary – with visitors. To reach out to the general public, the and its contributions to building the general pub- UIA also participates annually with Open House New lic’s awareness of Ukraine’s remarkable history, its York, which has drawn thousands of visitors to the rich culture, and its challenges in the face of inva- institute. It also organized a “Ukraine booth” at the sion and war by a long-time oppressor. 92nd Street Y Street Festival, making even more The institute (UIA) was founded in 1948 in West Americans aware of Ukraine and the institute. Islip on Long Island by a group of dedicated “Through the difficult years of political repres- Ukrainian Americans led by Ukraine-born William sion in Ukraine, and during the recent, open years (Volodymyr) Dzus, who had immigrated to the of Ukraine’s independence, the UIA consistently has United States as an 18-year-old and became an served as a venue for Ukrainian artists, musicians, inventor and philanthropist. Their vision was to actors, writers, poets, scholars,” noted UIA provide a gathering place for Ukrainians and to President Daniel Swistel in the institute’s Annual familiarize Americans with Ukrainian culture. Seven Report. The institute also opens its space for host- years later, the UIA moved to its current, prestigious Sarah van Ouwerkerk and Thierry Gourjon location. The Ukrainian Institute of America. (Continued on page 16) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 No. 22

ANALYSIS

Ukraine’s security chokepoint: Russian Russia under fire at U.N. over MH17 Poroshenko on Russia’s legal responsibility Russia has rejected calls at the United Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko presence in Ukrainian inland waterways Nations to accept responsibility for the said “The decision of the Netherlands and downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 Australia to initiate the prosecution of the this Ukrainian riverine channel. This is per- by Ihor Kabanenko (MH17) over Ukraine after an investigation Russian Federation at the interstate level haps why, just a week after Deputy Eurasia Daily Monitor found that a Russian army missile caused for downing the Malaysian Airlines MH17 Minister Lavrenyuk’s remarks, Russia on July 17, 2014, is an extremely important In April, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of began its “get-tough policy of detentions the explosion that killed all 298 people on step towards ensuring Russia’s internation- Infrastructure Yurii Lavreniuk appealed to and inspections of merchant vessels” trav- board. At a U.N. Security Council meeting al legal responsibility for the systematic vio- the National Security and Defense Council eling to and from Ukrainian ports in the on Ukraine late on May 29, Dutch Foreign lations of its international obligations.” He of Ukraine to prohibit Russian vessels from Sea of Azov (Krym Realiyi, May 3, Zaxid. Minister Stef Blok called on Moscow to added, “This step naturally complements entering Ukraine’s domestic waterways net, May 3). accept the findings of a Dutch-led investiga- Ukraine’s actions in the International Court because of the high terrorist threat level A Ukrainian fishing ship was arrested by tive team that the airliner was shot down of Justice in a lawsuit on the basis of the they allegedly pose (Mtu.gov.ua, April 23). Russian state border control in the Black by a Russian-made Buk missile provided by International Convention for the The Russian reaction was immediate, dis- Sea as well (Censor.net, May 4). Russia’s 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. I missive and alarmist (see Eurasia Daily Simultaneously, the Russian Federal based in the city of Kursk. “The language of have instructed the Foreign Affairs Ministry Monitor, May 1). Security Service carried out offshore drills ultimatums is not something that anyone of Ukraine to promptly submit proposals on According to Igor Shishkin, the deputy in the Sea of Azov, focused “on combating will be allowed to use when speaking to the possibility of joining the process initiat- director of the Institute of CIS Countries, marine threats.” In these exercises, Russian Russia,” Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vasily ed by the Netherlands and Australia.” Ukraine’s declaration of a river blockade is border guards practiced the release of a Nebenzya responded. “We cannot accept (Presidential Administration of Ukraine) a serious step and should not be mocked. “captured” fishing vessel and “hostages” as the unfounded conclusion of the JIT,” he “Few of our vessels use the Dnipro, for well as the simulated neutralization of said, referring to the Dutch-led Joint inves- Sentsov agrees to medical treatment example. But, there is one [waterway] that pirates or terrorists. The Russian side did tigation Team. Separately, Russian Foreign is very significant for Russia. I mean the not shy away from labeling as “piracy” the Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov on a visit to Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov, who Danube-Black Sea channel, passing Ukrainian border guard service’s earlier Minsk on May 29 also rejected what he opposed Moscow’s 2014 annexation of through Ukrainian territory. Our vessels seizure of the Crimean fishing vessel Nord, called “ultimatums” from the Netherlands Crimea and is now on hunger strike in a use it,” he said (RIA Novosti, April 25). which had strayed into Ukrainian territori- and Australia over compensation for rela- Russian prison, has agreed to receive medi- Officially this channel is called the deep al waters (RIA Novosti, May 7; see EDM, tives of people killed in the incident. Russia cal treatment, Russia’s prison authorities water fairway (DWF) “Danube-Black Sea” April 12). has claimed that the investigation led by say. The Federal Penitentiary Service’s (Gsh.delta-pilot.ua, accessed May 25). It No doubt, Moscow’s implicit goal the Dutch government, working in cooper- branch in the far-northern Yamalo-Nenets traverses Ukrainian Bessarabia and has a behind such active “countermeasures” is to ation with the Australian, Ukrainian and Autonomous Region said in a statement on strategically located entryway at the Girlo restrain Kyiv from its decision to block Malaysian governments, was not legitimate May 28 that Mr. Sentsov was under the Bystre mouth of the Danube River delta. Up Russian traffic through Ukrainian inland because Russia was not included as an supervision of medical workers in the cor- to 1,400-1,500 vessels pass through this waters and limit Ukraine’s maritime activi- equal partner in the investigation. U.S. rectional facility where he is serving his Ukrainian waterway annually (Cfts.org.ua, ties in the Sea of Azov. Ambassador Nikki Haley voiced strong sentence. “At the moment, his state of June 25, 2012); approximately 20 percent According to Jens Stoltenberg, the secre- support for the Dutch and Australian health is satisfactory,” it said. Mr. Sentsov, of them are Russian or carry Russian cargo. tary general of the North Atlantic Treaty demands that Russia acknowledge its role who is serving a 20-year prison term after The DWF’s closure would critically influ- Organization (NATO), Russia is challenging in the tragedy and help bring to justice being convicted on terrorism charges that ence Russia’s coal deliveries to Romania the current security order by using a “mix- those responsible for the shooting down of he and human rights groups say were polit- ically motivated, began a hunger strike on and Serbia, as well as shipments of fertiliz- ture of military and non-military means of the plane. She said Moscow’s denials are May 14, demanding the release of 64 er to Serbia, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and aggression, a combination of covert and linked to its refusal to acknowledge Ukrainian citizens that he considers to be Croatia (Uaprom.info, May, 11, 2015). overt operations and measures” to achieve Russia’s involvement in the Ukrainian con- political prisoners in Russia. Lawyer Dmitry Historically, numerous battles were its political ends (Nato.int, October 2, 2017). flict by providing weapons such as Buk Dinze said Mr. Sentsov had told him he had waged for control of Ukrainian Bessarabia Indeed, Moscow’s illegal annexation of missiles to Ukrainian separatists. “Despite Crimea in 2014 showed that merchant ves- timed his hunger strike to correspond with because of this area’s strategically impor- its transparent denials, there is no doubt tant connection with the Black Sea in the sels could be used by Russia not only for the Russia’s hosting of the 2018 soccer World Russia is driving the Ukrainian conflict,” south, the Danube River in the west and transshipment of goods, but also “little Cup championship from June 14 to July 15. said Ms. Haley. Ukrainian Foreign Affairs the Belgorod-Dnister Liman (estuary) in green men” and other camouflaged invasive The Save Oleg Sentsov activist group last Minister Pavlo Klimkin told the council that the east. Not by chance, the DWF was forces. In this regard, Mr. Lavreniuk’s refer- week announced a global campaign ahead Russia’s rejection of the findings “did not included in the European Agreement on ence to a terrorist threat appears sensible. of the World Cup to demand the release of surprise me at all.” He added, “We have no Main Inland Waterways of International Russia’s seeming fixation on retaining the Ukrainian filmmaker. (RFE/RL’s Russian doubt that the downing of MH17 flight is a Importance (AGN) (Euroint­ egration.com. access to Ukrainian inland waters, particu- Service, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service) ua, June 14, 2017). larly the DWF, is worth taking seriously. terrorist act.” (RFE/RL with reporting by Russian presence in the Buh-Dnipro Russian “hybrid” activities using merchant AFP, Reuters and TASS) (Continued on page 14) Liman channel is worth highlighting as vessels certainly cannot be excluded, which well. Russian vessels continue to use the implies that Ukrainian internal waterways Southern Buh and Dnipro river ports for should perhaps be added to the existing list delivery of oil products and transshipment of Ukraine’s maritime choke points The Ukrainian Weekly FOUNDED 1933 of other goods (Ships.com.ua). Some of (including the Kerch Strait and the Odesa these ships illegally visited the river port of port-hub approaches). An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., Mykolayiv (on the Southern Buh River) in Boris Babyn, the representative of the a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. 2017 (Nikvesti, June 23, 2017). president of Ukraine in Crimea (he is, natu- Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. Moscow contends that continued rally, based outside the occupied peninsu- Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. Russian use of Ukraine’s inland waters is in la), has recognized that the “situation (ISSN — 0273-9348) Ukrainian citizens’ interest (Politexpert, whereby Ukrainian [government] struc- The Weekly: UNA: April 24). But in fact, the daily Russian tures retain a blind eye to actual conflict at Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 commercial activity along these inland sea due to [the preoccupation with] the maritime arteries is not oriented toward annexation of Crimea cannot last forever. Postmaster, send address changes to: Ukraine. Were Ukraine to actually block The logic of events suggests that escalation The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz Russian access to the DWF, the Romanian is inevitable.” In his opinion, Ukraine 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas Danube Delta Channel via the Sulina Girlo should strengthen its position at sea in P.O. Box 280 would still continue to be an option for order to be able to protect its sailors with Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] Europe-bound Russian merchant vessels. weapons. A corresponding action plan is In other words, something beyond eco- already being prepared, he added (Krym The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com nomic considerations explains Russia’s Realiyi, May 8). insistence on maintaining its presence in Accordingly, at least two aspects of this The Ukrainian Weekly, June 3, 2018, No. 22, Vol. LXXXVI official’s words deserve further elabora- Copyright © 2018 The Ukrainian Weekly tion. First, Ukraine urgently needs a bal- Correction anced maritime policy and naval strategy, In its statement about the 80th anniver- as well as mosquito fleet capabilities to ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA sary of the assassination of Yevhen adequately respond to threats at sea and (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 Konovalets (May 27), the Ukrainian along inland rivers (see EDM, March 9, Walter Honcharyk, administrator and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 Congress Committee of America mistaken- 2017). However, little has been done in this e-mail: [email protected] ly said that Konovalets was killed in sphere for the last four years. Second, to be Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 Rotterdam, Germany. Rotterdam is in the e-mail: [email protected] Netherlands. (Continued on page 8) No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 3

NEWS ANALYSIS Russia’s escalating war of attrition with Ukraine by Pavel Felgenhauer put the blame squarely on the Ukrainian unacceptable to Kyiv. Russia’s Deputy the Ukrainian regime is not “disintegrating” Eurasia Daily Monitor side and demand that Western leaders inter- Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander – its resolve is only growing stronger. So a vene to rein in Kyiv (Kommersant, May 23). Glushko recently complained, “We received major change in strategy must be made and Dry and sunny summer weather in the The Donbas conflict moved into this no positive response to the peacekeeper perhaps some “peace enforcement” opera- southern wooded and steppe reaches of the most dangerous summer period with all proposal we made in October 2017” tion undertaken – like the Russian opera- Russian-Ukrainian border means trouble attempts at meaningful dialogue hopelessly (Militarynews.ru, May 9). tion in Syria (Vzglyad, May 22). and potential military escalation as the land stalled. The two so-called Minsk agree- The main Russian negotiator on the The above-mentioned “tourist military dries up after the spring thaw. Vehicles may ments, reached several years ago, had stipu- Donbas conflict, presidential aide Vladislav force” is the 8th Army, which was formed in again move freely through dirt roads and lated a ceasefire and a withdrawal of heavy Surkov, 53, is reportedly preparing to retire the Rostov Oblast last year (Izvestia, March fields, while aircraft pilots are better able to weapons from the frontline, and presented from government service or at least end his 17, 2017). The 8th Army headquarters are see their potential targets. Thus, tensions a roadmap for a hypothetical settlement of longtime involvement as the Kremlin’s in Novocherkassk and are apparently in have traditionally increased every summer the conflict. The first Minsk agreement was point man on Ukrainian issues. Since 1999, operational control of the two army corps of in the eastern Ukrainian region of the signed in September 2014, after an unoffi- Mr. Surkov has been a deputy prime minis- pro-Russia forces in Donetsk and Luhansk. Donbas (Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts). cial Russian military intervention stopped ter and has occupied top positions in the This spring, the 150th Motor-Rifle Division Since 2014, Donbas has been divided by a the Ukrainian forces from fully defeating Kremlin administration. Mr. Surkov was (also headquartered in Novocherkassk) was so-called “line of control” between the Moscow-backed separatist rebellion in reportedly instrumental in formulating fully formed as the 8th Army’s frontline Ukrainian government forces and Moscow- Donbas. The Minsk 2 accords were signed both the Minsk 1 and Minsk 2 agreements, “strike” unit. The division is reinforced by supported pro-Russia separatist formations. in February 2015, with German and French which now seem hopelessly deadlocked; modernized T-72B3 tanks and heavy artil- And in the past week, the area has again mediation, after Ukrainian forces were this may have been one of the reasons lery (Militarynews.ru, March 27, 2018). begun witnessing a drastic intensification of defeated in Debaltseve. Minsk 2 contained a behind his possible resignation. Unnamed According to the Ukrainian chief of the fighting, currently around the separatist- detailed roadmap of a settlement, none of Kremlin insiders told journalists Mr. Surkov General Staff and commander of the Armed held town of Horlivka, north of Donetsk. which has ever been implemented. may have clashed with Russian special ser- Forces, Viktor Muzhenko, “Experts predict Locally deployed observers from the All sides seem to agree the Minsk accords vices and the military on how to proceed in Russia will be ready for a massive war with Organization for Security and Cooperation are essential and accuse each other of failing the Ukrainian crisis. In any case, the pend- Ukraine in three years, but we are ready in Europe (OSCE) have officially registered to implement them. The ceasefire continues ing Surkov resignation has already put on anytime to meet any limited or large opera- 7,700 ceasefire violations from May 14 to to be constantly violated, and all announced hold further possible consultations with tion” (Kommersant, February 25). May 21 as the level of violence has grown. attempts to withdraw heavy weapons from the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Nether Moscow nor Kyiv seem ready to Both sides blame each other and have the frontline have failed as both sides tend to Negotiations Kurt Volker, complicating an make any serious concessions to help unlock reported casualties. The OSCE mission has quickly bring them back as soon as any new already dire situation (RBC, May 14). the deadlocked peace process in the Donbas. confirmed this was “the worst week this round of fighting erupts. The Kremlin-financed news site Vzglyad Many observers have expressed the opinion year.” Both sides have reportedly been using In 2017, Moscow, Kyiv and Western recently opined about the Russian strategy that this deadlock may become institutional- heavy weapons. leaders seemed to all agree on a possible in Ukraine being in tatters: Hope that the ized as a “frozen” conflict, like in Abkhazia, The overall position of the “line of con- introduction of armed United Nations deadlocked Minsk process will somehow Transnistria or Cyprus (RBC, May 14). trol” has not changed substantially since peacekeepers in Donbas that could possibly lead to the disintegration of the regime in While mediators remain unable to February 2015, when pro-Russia separatists keep the conflict better “frozen” than the Kyiv and the emergence of a pro-Russian ensure the Donbas ceasefire holds, the cur- backed up by regular Russian troops cap- unarmed OSCE observers. But the idea government is not working. Moscow appar- rent massive flare-up of fighting and car- tured the city of Debaltseve. Today, both quickly fell flat as opposing sides put for- ently believed prolonged attrition in the nage strongly suggest the war of attrition sides are engaged in tactical armed clashes, ward incompatible proposals for the man- Donbas would undermine internal support will continue. And left to spin out of control, attempting to improve their positions along date and scope of any possible U.N. mission. for the Ukrainian government, while the the fighting in Donbas could easily escalate the “line of control (see Eurasia Daily Moscow wanted a limited mission of peace- West would grow weary and eventually into a regional Russo-Ukrainian war. Monitor, February 9, 2017).” But these rela- keepers armed with sidearms, with a man- abandon Kyiv. A special “ ‘tourist’ military tively small tactical movements may easily date to simply “guard” the OSCE observers; strike force” has been deployed close to The article above is reprinted from escalate, according to the Russian Foreign moreover, the Russian side declared that Rostov-on-Don, ready to invade and defeat Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from Affairs Ministry, into something much worse the separatist authorities had to officially the Ukrainian government forces if they its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, if not checked. Russian diplomats, of course, consent to the mission – all absolutely move decisively to break the deadlock. But www.jamestown.org.

Bellingcat links high-ranking Russian GRU officer to downing of MH17

RFE/RL The European Union, NATO, the United first half of 2014 and that he remained in edly associated with Yevgeny Prigozhin, a States, and other Western countries joined eastern Ukraine until at least 2015. Russian oligarch and close associate of THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Researchers Mr. Blok’s call, but Moscow continued to The research group also said Mr. President Vladimir Putin. from the British-based group Bellingcat deny having anything to do with the down- Ivannikov “coordinated and supervised the “Ivannikov also supervised the procure- have published a report that, for the first ing of the civilian passenger plane, despite military activities of Russian militants, pro- ment and transport of weapons across the time, establishes what they say is the mounting evidence of Russian involvement. Russia separatists,” and contingents of a Russia-Ukraine border,” Bellingcat said. “He involvement of a high-ranking Russian mili- Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei “private army” from “Wagner group” – a tary intelligence officer in connection with Lavrov responded to Mr. Blok’s call by Russian paramilitary organization report- (Continued on page 17) the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 accusing the Netherlands of speculation to (MH17) over eastern Ukraine in 2014. “achieve political goals.” The May 25 report came a day after the The Kremlin also insists it has not inter- Dutch-led international Joint Investigative vened to support pro-Russia separatists in Quotable notes Team (JIT) said it had concluded the Buk eastern Ukraine, despite compelling evi- missile that downed the MH17 was fired by dence that Moscow has provided military, “I’d like to draw your attention to Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine. This has Russia’s 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade economic and political support for the sep- been one of the most violent weeks of the year. Five Ukrainian soldiers are now dead from separatist-controlled territory in east- aratists in their war against Ukrainian gov- and 23 have been wounded. The fighting has not spared civilians either. A 13-year- ern Ukraine. ernment forces. old boy and his father were killed in a Ukrainian government-controlled territory Meanwhile, the Dutch government said when artillery shells struck their home. A pipe carrying chlorine gas at the Donetsk “Orion” calling on May 25 that the Netherlands and water filtration station was struck by artillery shells. Australia will hold Russia legally responsi- But Bellingcat said on May 25 it had “iden- “The Kremlin controls the violence in eastern Ukraine and could bring this vio- ble for shooting down MH17 and the tified conclusively” that 50-year-old Russian lence to an end tomorrow if the Kremlin wanted to do that. Russia has claimed it deaths of all 298 people on board. military officer Oleg Ivannikov was in charge wants to protect Russian speakers, but as our Special Representative for Ukraine “The government is now taking the next of military operations in eastern Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker has pointed out on numerous occasions, there’s nowhere in step by formally holding Russia account- when the MH17 was shot down over sepa- the world more dangerous for Russian speakers right now than in eastern Ukraine. able,” Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Stef ratist-controlled territory on July 17, 2014. “Russian and Ukrainian soldiers and civilians continue to die in a conflict manu- Blok said, adding that holding a nation-state The research group described Ivannikov factured by the Russian government with forces that arms, equips, leads and trains. responsible for a breach of international law as being on active duty in eastern Ukraine And while Russia perpetuates the violence in eastern Ukraine by pouring money, sol- would involve “a complex legal process.” as an officer of the Main Intelligence diers and resources into the region, the Russian economy continues to stagnate. We Mr. Blok called on Russia to “accept its Directorate (GRU) of the General Staff of call on Russia to end its aggression in Ukraine and live up to its commitments when it responsibility and cooperate fully with the the Russian Defense Ministry. signed the Minsk agreements.” process to establish the truth and achieve Bellingcat said Mr. Ivannikov held the – U.S. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert, speaking at a press briefing justice for the victims of flight MH17 and post during an “undercover deployment” on May 22. their next of kin.” into eastern Ukraine that began during the 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 No. 22

Michael Gold/The Corporate Image The scene at the 39th Regular Convention of the Ukrainian National Association, held May 18-20 at Soyuzivka Heritage Center, during the discussion of the proposed new UNA By-Laws. At the podium is Andrij V.R. Szul, chair of the By-Laws Committee. PHOTO FOLLOW-UP: The UNA’s 39th Convention

National Secretary Yuriy Symczyk addresses convention delegates as a candidate for re-election. Also in the photo (from left) Advisor Luba Walchuk speaks about her are Wasyl Szeremeta, Andrij V.R. Szul, Roma Lisovich and Michael Koziupa. candidacy for the Auditing Committee

Officers and delegates line up to cast their ballots in elections for the UNA General Assembly. Elections Committee Chair Andrew Hrechak reports to the convention. No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 5

Michael Gold/The Corporate Image The new UNA Executive Committee (from left): Director for Canada Ewhen Osidacz, First Vice-President Gerald Newly elected UNA Auditors (from left) George Tysiak, CFO/Treasurer Roma Lisovich, President/CEO Stefan Kaczaraj, COO/National Secretary Yuriy Symczyk Fedorijczuk, Luba Walchuk and Andrij Skyba. and Second Vice-President Eugene Serba.

Newly named Honorary Members of the General Assembly Myron Groch (left), with his wife, Janina, and Eugene Oscislawski (right), with his wife, Maria.

The convention’s presiding officers: Vice- Members of the convention’s Finance Committee (from left): George Fedorijczuk, Distinguished Service Award honoree Chair Andrij Skyba (left) and Chair Alexander Serafyn, Daria Pishko Komichak, Walter Kozicky and Alexander Chudolij. Alexander Serafyn. Wasyl Szeremeta. Oldest and youngest delegates share experiences at the 39th UNA Convention Following are reactions to the 39th Regular Convention of the UNA from the oldest and youngest delegates attending. Their comments were solicited by Matthew Dubas. Peter Serba, 94, Branch 173, of Wilmington, Del.: “I am very happy with the 39th UNA Convention, and I have been to many con- ventions. It is especially pleasant that there is no in-fighting or divi- sive politics. I was born in Brody, Ukraine, and arrived in the U.S. in 1949, having fled Ukraine and residing in Regensburg, Germany, until 1948. I am a longtime UNA member, and I look forward to the reforms the UNA will enact in order to attract young members and new blood into the organization. For the future, I hope to be here and continue to work with the UNA for as long as I am able.” Volodymyr Myshchuk, 22, Branch 13, of Watervliet, N.Y.: “This is my first time attending a UNA Convention, and there seemed to be a learning curve with presentations and procedures, which led to a number of misunderstandings from the delegates. I have attended dance camp at Soyuzivka a few years ago, and was invited by Advisor Nicholas Fil, also of Branch 13, to see a UNA Convention in action. For the future, I myself have gained a better understanding of the rela- tionship between the organization and its governance policies. I feel that technology will be a major step forward for the UNA to adapt to new challenges. Most surprising was to learn more about the UNA Peter Serba By-Laws and how these rules affect changes within the organization.” Volodymyr Myshchuk 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 No. 22

WINDOW ON EURASIA The Ukrainian Weekly Deny, deny, deny Poroshenko redefines Donbas fighting Last week, our Kyiv-based colleague Mark Raczkiewycz reported that the interna- tional probe known as the Joint Investigative Team (JIT) had determined that a Buk so Kyiv can call things by their proper names anti-aircraft missile system used to shoot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) by Paul Goble formation of a more clearly defined com- over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, had come from Russia. After “extensive com- mand structure in the region and the sys- parative research,” the JIT said it concluded the Buk came from a Russian military Moscow commentators have noticed tematic use of the Ukrainian army in the base in Kursk and belonged to the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade. That finding what few in the West have: Ukrainian Donbas because it would clarify some legal was announced as the investigation enters its last phase, according to Dutch prose- President Petro Poroshenko’s decision to issues and promote effectiveness more cutor Fred Westerbeke, who cautioned that much work remains to be done and it is change the format of his country’s military generally. not possible to say when the JIT will be ready to name actual suspects. The JIT, it operation against pro-Moscow forces The re-definition of the conflict is fully in should be noted, comprises authorities from Australia, Belgium, Malaysia and the strengthens Kyiv’s legal position at home accord with the law on reintegration of the Netherlands, all of which had passengers on that ill-fated flight, and Ukraine, on and abroad, and allows his government to Donbas adopted in January. The chief goal whose territory the downing occurred. It is led by the Dutch, because the flight origi- escape from euphemisms and call things by of that law is “the liberation of the specific nated in Amsterdam and two-thirds of those killed were from the Netherlands. their proper names. occupied territories and the restoration of Moscow was quick to deny that the Buk had ever crossed the border into Ukraine: At the start of May, in a follow on to deci- the territorial integrity of Ukraine.” Russia “The Defense Ministry of Russia from the first hours after the tragedy and in the sions made earlier, Mr. Poroshenko is labelled “the aggressor” and the Donetsk future officially denied the Ukrainians’ insinuations about the alleged involvement of declared that the anti-terrorist operation and Luhansk “people’s republics” as well as Russian servicemen in the catastrophe over the skies of Ukraine.” (ATO) in the east was completed and would Crimea are called “temporarily occupied This week, there was more news on the investigation from Bellingcat, a British be succeeded by a military operation of the territories.” team of researchers, which identified a high-ranking Russian military intelligence offi- unified forces of Ukraine against the What Mr. Poroshenko’s order does is cer involved in the MH17’s downing. It was yet more proof of Russia’s involvement. Russian invasion (rbc.ru/politics/03/05/2 resolve the problem of the use of the Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Stef Blok called on Russia to “accept its responsibility 018/5aeade659a794775466568f6). Ukrainian army on the country’s own terri- and cooperate fully with the process to establish the truth and achieve justice for the This change in nomenclature doesn’t tory. Under Ukraine’s Constitution, the victims of flight MH17 and their next of kin.” His words were echoed by the United mean that the conflict will necessarily army cannot be used on the territory of the States, the United Kingdom, NATO, the European Union and others in the West. intensify on the ground, but it does mean, country except to repel an invasion and Still, Moscow denies its role – no matter the ever-increasing evidence to the con- Russian observers say, that Kyiv’s legal under conditions of war. But since the trary. Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov said all this was intended to position at home will be regularized and Crimean Anschluss in 2014, Kyiv has not “achieve political goals,” while Russia’s Ambassador to the U.N. Vasily Nebenzya strengthened, and that Ukrainian officials declared a state of war or even martial law. reacted by saying, “The language of ultimatums is not something that anyone will be can now speak more openly about Russian The January law and now the presi- allowed to use when speaking to Russia.” aggression and the right of Ukraine to resist dent’s decree allow Kyiv to “call things by Readers will no doubt will recall that it was armed forces controlled by Russia it. their proper names,” supporters say. The that denied access to investigators in the immediate aftermath of the MH17’s down- The Ukrainian general staff had been latter means that the Ukrainian military is ing. They will also recall Russia’s numerous versions of the shootdown: it was pushing for this change since the start of Ukraine’s armed forces, it was Ukraine’s Western supporters, it was a failed attempt the year, arguing that it would allow for the (Continued on page 8) to assassinate Vladimir Putin (who was then on another flight hundreds of kilome- ters away), the passengers on the plane had died several days before the crash… The disinformation emanating from the Kremlin was quite creative. And, of course, Russia vetoed resolutions at the U.N. Security Council calling for an independent investigation. Russia continues to be angry that it is not part of the JIT, arguing that Putin outdoes Potemkin for World Cup the Dutch-led investigation is not legitimate because it was not included as a partner. But, really, why should Russia have been party to the JIT? The better for the Kremlin by Paul Goble Rostov for the World Championship they to subvert the investigation from the inside? are drawing people in the windows; they Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Blok called it “very disappointing” that Russia In 1787, Prince Grigory Potemkin erect- even remembered to include a Jew with a won’t acknowledge the “irrefutable evidence” and added, “So far, Russian authorities ed special villages to impress his lover, violin… This already is not a Potemkin vil- don’t show the slightest interest in achieving truth, justice and accountability.” Catherine the Great, on her trip to Crimea. lage: it is a whole Potemkin country.” And Meanwhile President Petro Poroshenko emphasized that Ukraine would do every- Unlike real Russian villages, these were she asks: are those behind these windows thing possible for Russia’s actions to be properly assessed at the International Court clean and bright and designed to give the now “sitting in darkness?” of Justice within the framework of proceedings initiated last year by Ukraine. “Evil impression that the people there were Semyon Osheverov says that the French will be punished, and justice will be restored,” the president stated. happy. After she passed through, they were have done something similar in the past taken down and then put up again further but in a way quite different: they paint pic- along her route. tures of windows with people in them but While scholars dispute the accuracy of not pictures on the windows of places these stories, they have become a byword where people actually live. Turning the pages back... for Russian officials ever since who can Yegor Sedov says that this is just one June always be counted on to spruce up the more indication that the World Cup is “a buildings and roads for tsars, general sec- celebration for all except for the Russians.” Four years ago, on June 2, 2014, NATO Secretary General retaries, or now presidents. But Vladimir And these Potemkin pictures demonstrate Anders Fogh Rasmussen issued a statement outlining the alli- 2 Putin has done Potemkin one better: he that, “if you can’t make people happy, there ance’s position on Russian actions in and around Ukraine. Mr. hasn’t just ordered buildings cleaned up, is no reason for despair! You simply draw Rasmussen met with a group of Russian journalists after the 2014 he’s painted happy people in the win- them as happy” and let others assume that ambassadorial meeting of the NATO-Russia Council and before dows. they reflect reality. the meeting of the NATO Defense Ministers in Brussels. “In the windows of old houses in Andrey Nikulin says that the bosses The statement noted: “All NATO allies made clear that we condemn the illegal and ille- Rostov,” in advance of the World Cup, “pic- “wanted to organize ‘a victory of Russian gitimate annexation of Crimea and allies will not recognize it. We commend the people of tures have been drawn of happy residents sport,’” but all that remains is again “hope Ukraine for holding free and fair elections largely in line with international standards. greeting participants” in that competition, for a miracle.” They clearly voted for a united Ukraine. Their choice must be respected, and we urge the Kasparov portal reports and shows a Valery Zen says that no one should be Russia to engage constructively with the newly elected president [Petro Poroshenko].” picture of this latest Putin innovation on an coming to a competition in a country “We call on Russia to withdraw its troops fully and verifiably from Ukraine’s border, old tsarist tradition (kasparov.ru/material. where Oleh Sentsov and so many others with additional international inspections. To stop the flow of arms and fighters into php?id=5B06600644D76). are behind bars. “Why is the world com- Ukraine. To condemn armed separatists and use its influence for the freeing of OSCE mon- The comments on this report have been munity silent? It is completely possible that itors taken hostage,” he continued. savage. Among the most noteworthy so far: they in their turn will say that they are Russia-NATO relations, Mr. Rasmussen added, were not good, “not because NATO Yekaterina Barabash says that “in deeply concerned, will threaten sanctions wants it that way, but because of Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine. …Despite and then… come to the World Cup any- criminal violence, intimidation and provocation by pro-Russian armed gangs, the way… as if everything were normal, as if Ukrainian people have made their voice heard. And their choice must be respected. So we Paul Goble is a long-time specialist on the Russian Federation isn’t holding in look forward to working with the new president of Ukraine.” ethnic and religious questions in Eurasia prisons as hostages dozens of Ukrainians, The NATO chief underscored NATO’s support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial who has served in various capacities in the as if there were no Ukraine or Syria. integrity, adding, “…We do not and will not recognize Russia’s armed annexation of U.S. State Department, the Central Everything is very simple: business is busi- Crimea. And we strongly support Ukraine’s right to choose its own path for the future.” Intelligence Agency and the International ness.” NATO’s partnership with Russia has been based on commitments, and “Russia,” he said, Broadcasting Bureau, as well as at the Voice And Eva Kantorovich says that she is “has not kept its pledges. Russia has threatened its neighbors and used force against them. of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio “certain that one should not conduct sports It has not respected the territorial integrity or political independence of other countries.” Liberty and the Carnegie Endowment for competitions in a country that engages in NATO has taken defensive measures, which are moderate, proportionate, transparent International Peace. The article above is international aggression and expansion, and fully compliant with its international commitments, Mr. Rasmussen said. “NATO’s reprinted with permission from his blog and in which fundamental human rights actions are not a threat to Russia, and NATO is not a threat to Russia.” In order to improve called “Window on Eurasia” (http://windo- are violated and in their place are the (Continued on page 15) woneurasia2.blogspot.com/). understandings of thieves.” No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 7

Mark Raczkiewycz Andrew Kravchenko The Champions League trophy is displayed in the fan zone along Liverpool soccer club fans splash beer in the main fan zone along the Khreshchatyk on May 26, just the Khreshchatyk in Kyiv on May 25 on the eve of the final match hours before their team lost to 3-1 to Real Madrid for the Champions League title in Kyiv. of the European soccer club tournament hosted by Ukraine. Ukrainian Weekly, adding that he also has flown sev- Kyiv hosts... eral time zones with his sons to England to watch Liverpool play. “I call it being fanatical… It grows on (Continued from page 1) you. It’s a once-in-a-decade event for Liverpool.” Official Liverpool fan clubs condemned the attack Liverpool native David Thompson said his first on social media, while referring to a larger-scale impressions were “fantastic: the people are really nice, onslaught involving Russian nationals against they’re friendly, everyone is really happy – it’s brilliant.” England supporters during the 2016 European soc- Price gouging for airfare and accommodations cer championship held in France. was prevalent. Kyiv authorities said that 10,000 law enforcement Mr. Chin said that his three-day trip cost $5,000, personnel provided security during the four-day while Mr. Mindel said he paid $2,800 for his. soccer festival and that 18 more individuals “who Two-star hotel rooms on booking.com were run- provoked fights with fans” were detained after the ning at $2,800 a night whereas they usually cost $51. final match. Rates for apartment rentals had skyrocketed by 100 A testament to the large international following of times on online broker Airbnb as well. the Spanish and English clubs was the diverse group of As a result, Kyiv resident Viktor Kylymar started fans that The Ukrainian Weekly met. Liverpool alone the “free couch for football fans” on Facebook. Fans has a total fan base of 85 million on Facebook, Twitter were offered free accommodations with hundreds of and Instagram. And it sold 805,000 shirts in 2016. apartments being made graciously available gratis. Real fans from Africa and Mexico were on hand, Still, on May 25-26 Kyiv’s Boryspil airport took in and dedicated followers of Liverpool had made the and sent off 77 additional charter and 73 private trek from Thailand and Australia. It was difficult planes, according to airport spokesperson Tatyana finding natives of Liverpool or Anfield. Yarosh. Excluding regular routes, those figures rep- Yod Chin of Thailand said he started following resented an increase of 22 percent. Liverpool in 1996 when the team played Manchester Part of the reason why the Champions League is United and he was 10 years old. the world’s most prestigious soccer club tournament “Liverpool lost, so because I love the underdog, I is the amount of money qualifying teams make. started to love Liverpool,” he said, noting that the last Aside from competing in domestic league champi- time his favorite club won the Champions League onships, top-tier clubs gun for the Champions was 13 years ago. League where more than 1.3 billion euros will be Marlon Mindel of Melbourne brought his 20- and distributed this season – the most in history. Real, 13-year-old sons with him. this year’s winner can expect to make between 54 He and Mr. Chin both have to wake up between 2 million and 57 million euros of “fixed money,” Mark Raczkiewycz and 4 a.m. to watch Liverpool in their time zones. according to UEFA, and also receive part of the “mar- A giant replica of the Champions League trophy stands on St. “But I’ve been doing that since I was a kid. I’ve ket pool” money that is distributed among teams Sophia Square in Kyiv on May 25 on the eve of the title match been always passionate,” the Aussie told The from television income. between Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Ulana Suprun Mark Raczkiewycz Activists used the publicity from the Champions League match between Liverpool and Real Madrid on A Ukrainian marching band performs on the Khreshchatyk inside May 26 to draw attention to Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov who is considered a political prisoner the fan zone on May 25 on the eve of the Champions League final in Russia being held on trumped charges of terrorism. match between Liverpool and Real Madrid. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 No. 22

Illinois Ukrainians gather in remembrance of the Holodomor

by Maria Korkatsch-Groszko BLOOMINGDALE, Ill. – Members of the Ukrainian Genocide Famine Foundation, members of Ukrainian orga- nizations and members of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral–Kyivan Patriarchate in Bloomingdale, Ill., gath- ered on the Thursday, May 17, to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide, the Holodomor of 1932-1933, with a Litiya service at St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral–Kyivan Patriarchate. Attendees were honored with a visit and the presence of Nina Matviyenko, world-renowned Ukrainian singer, and recipient of the Shevchenko National Prize, a Ukrainian state award. Ms. Matviyenko placed wreaths at the Ukrainian Genocide Holodomor Memorial and at the Heavenly Brigade (Nebesna Sotnia) memorial monuments. At the invitation of Nicholas Kocherha, president of the Ukrainian Genocide Famine Foundation-USA, Inc., a Litiya in memory of the 10 million victims of Holodomor and the heroes who perished defending the sovereignty and terri- torial integrity of Ukraine, was officiated by the Very Rev. Victor Poliarny, secretary of the Vicariate, Ukrainian Orthodox Church–Kyivan Patriarchate in the United States and Canada. Clergy participating in the service, representing the vari- ous eparchies/dioceses of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Ukrainian Catholic Church, were: the Very Rev. Bohdan Klavdiya Dunayska/KYS Express Inc. Nalysnyk, the Very Rev. Anatolij Basarab, the Very Rev. Nina Matviyenko, People’s Artist of Ukraine, with Nicholas Kocherha, president of Ukrainian Genocide Famine Jaroslav Marikot, the Very Rev. Mykola Lypko, the Rev. Foundation-USA Inc., at the Ukrainian Genocide Holodomor Memorial at St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral – Kyiv Patriarchate. Mychailo Leshchyshyn, the Rev. Dr. Myron Panchuk, and the Very Rev. Bohdan Kalynyuk. The responses during the tion during Holodomor of 1932-1933… We do not have the Ms. Matviyenko appealed to the Ukrainian community service were sung by the St. Andrew UOC Choir under the right to be thoughtless nor to forget those that most to remember the horror of the Holodomor. She reminded direction of Taras Rudenko. recently perished during the Revolution of Dignity, the everyone that, “In the spring of 1933, the rural population Following the service, the Very Rev. Poliarny greeted all Heavenly Brigade, and all defenders of Ukrainian sover- of Ukraine was dying at a rate of 25,000 a day, half of them attendees and noted that “…We cannot forget the 10 mil- eignty and territorial integrity – those who sacrificed their children. Ukraine, which was known worldwide as the lion innocent people who suffered and perished of a most lives for the preservation of freedom and Ukrainian inde- breadbasket of Europe, was being ravaged by a man-made horrific and torturous death from Russian forced starva- pendence… Memory Eternal!” famine of unprecedented scale… It was engineered by Stalin with intent to control and oppress the Ukrainian people by denying them the basic essentials needed to sur- vive. Death by forced starvation was a response toward the peaceful, self-sufficient and independent Ukrainian peas- ants who prospered from the wealth accumulated from farm holdings and dared to resist the ‘collectivization.’ It is most painful to describe what the Ukrainian people endured… We cannot allow ourselves to forget. We must communicate the horror and stories with others so that we do not witness a repeat of Holodomor.” On Saturday, May 19, in commemoration of the 85th anniversary of the Ukrainian Genocide, the Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago and the Ukrainian Genocide Famine Foundation-USA Inc. co-sponsored the North American premiere of “Ukrainian Requiem” composed by Yevhen Stankovych. The program included Ms. Matviyenko and Stefan Szkafarowsky (soloists), the Kalamazoo Philharmonia (Andrew Koehler, director), Kalamazoo Bach Festival Chorus (Dr. Chris Ludwa, director), George Wyhinny (“Buried Truth”) and the Women’s Bandura Ensemble of North America (Oksana Rodak and Oksana Zelinska, artistic directors). The event took place at the Harris Theater in Chicago. In the words of Ukrainian Genocide Famine Foundation President Kocherha, “We must preserve the memory of this Ukrainian Genocide, the Holodomor, or history will repeat itself.”

Members of the clergy representing Chicago eparchies/dioceses and members of the Ukrainian Genocide Famine Maria Korkatsch-Groszko, Ph.D., is a member of the execu- Foundation-USA Inc. with Nina Matviyenko. tive board of UGFF-USA Inc. and St. Andrew UOC-KP.

Mr. Poroshenko’s action, however, gives the military pri- Poroshenko... mary responsibility and puts a new staff to coordinate its Ukraine’s security... activity in the Donbas under his direct authority, thus (Continued from page 6) (Continued from page 2) reducing the role of the Parliament while elevating his involved in “a defensive war” intended to “free territories own. able to respond to such threats, Ukrainian naval ships and occupied by Russia.” Kyiv at the official level had not been Moscow has reacted angrily. Foreign Affairs Minister boats will need to be present not only in Odesa and around clear about that in the past. Sergey Lavrov on May 3 told an Italian magazine that “the the maritime approaches to Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, but Following the Russian intervention, Kyiv responded on main aspect of the Ukrainian conflict is that Russia is not also in the Sea of Azov and in the Dnipro and Danube riv- the basis of its 2003 law “On the Struggle with Terrorism,” conducting a war with Ukraine and is not a participant in ers. The two Island-class cutters that the United States had which allowed the authorities to use force to protect the the conflict.” What Mr. Poroshenko’s action means is that offered to Ukraine could greatly help Ukrainian Naval population but gave primary responsibility for doing so to now at the official level, Kyiv disputes both of those notions. Forces fulfill these maritime missions (see EDM, November the country’s Security Service rather than to the military. According to Ukrainian political analyst Vadim Karasev, 1, 2017). But ultimately, the implementation of this project In June 2014, two months after the fighting in the this shift in Ukrainian policy is intended to freeze the con- as well as other steps to boost the country’s naval capabili- Donbas began, the Verkhovna Rada amended that law to flict rather than to exacerbate it. “By calling Russia the ties fully depend on Kyiv. give the military a larger role, but the amended measure aggressor, the Ukrainian side in fact is blocking the negoti- specified that the army could be used on Ukrainian territo- ating process” – something Kyiv has an interest in doing The article above is reprinted from Eurasia Daily Monitor ry only with the explicit approval of the Ukrainian given the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elec- with permission from its publisher, the Jamestown Parliament. tions. Foundation, www.jamestown.org. No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 9 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 No. 22 No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 11 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 No. 22 No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 13

ukrainaincognita.com ukrainaincognita.com A Polish convoy in a scene from “Legends of Carpathians.” Two Opryshky in a green forest in “Legends of Carpathians.” FILM REVIEW: “Legends of Carpathians” by Adrian Bryttan “In a green grove by the meadow Glides young Dovbush like a shadow. On one leg he falters slightly, On his axe he now leans lightly.” (folk song translations by Adrian Bryttan) It used to be Ukrainian film directors stretched out their palms to Soviet bureau- cracy, and consequently fashioned scripts to include “desirable” themes like class/ social dialectics to fit the grand narrative of the “Heroic People’s Struggle.” Starting in the 1990s, director Oles Yanchuk broached a new era of previously taboo subject mat- ters. He also tapped the diaspora to finance his series of patriotic films like “The Assassination” (“Atentat”), “The Unvanquished” (“Neskorennyj”) and “The Iron Brigade” (“Zalizna Sotnia”). Denis Andreev Now, Sergei Skobun, ambitious “business- A traditional representation of Dovbush. Director Sergei Skobun (left) shows the authentic Hutsul costumes used in “Legends man-producer-director” from Chernivtsi, has of Carpathians.” become the newest inspiration for any aspir- Ivano-Frankivsk) in the 1700s, presenting ing filmmaker – just raise enough money and detailed testimony establishing the actual In reality, the following morning his dislodged a colony of bats when the camera voila: a self-produced, self-promoted indie life, activities and death of this “folk hero.” bleeding body was discovered in the bush- helicopter descended into a ravine), much movie, ready for the festival circuit and The lands of Halychyna and Zakarpattia es, and a priest was sent for. The Polish of the film is saddled with flat, uninterest- authorities sectioned his body into 12 piec- ing cinematography. And several shots are hopefully a future commercial success. presented headaches for governments in es, impaled and mounted them throughout repeated, like the recurring slow pan over On April 18, Mr. Skobun’s adventure-film charge, whether Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, the countryside as a gruesome warning. the Dnister River towards Khotyn Castle, “Legends of Carpathians” about Oleksa Transylvania, or Austria. As these territories Having based his screenplay on folklore, the Polish stronghold. The musical score is Dovbush, the “Robin Hood of Ukraine, ” was changed hands, the cruel conditions of serf- Mr. Skobun aptly titled his film “Legends.” It generally supportive, except for the jarring screened at the Ukrainian Institute of dom intensified, leading to widespread suf- was not intended to be a historical docu- heavy rock under the opening credits. America (UIA) in New York. Mr. Skobun fering. Historian Vasyl Veryha states that in mentary. The aim was to “show everyone The film ultimately bogs down with the spoke about the production, presented sev- the 18th century, “Austria found Halychyna the glories of the Carpathians and the beau- Polish scenes and the larger set pieces and eral of the actors and answered questions in ruins, with no schools, roads, big cities, ties of our traditions,” according to Mr. battle sequences, which come across as pat from viewers. businesses or trade, and with an impover- Skobun. It is admittedly a light-genre and predictable. The latter part of the film In conversation with this author, Mr. ished rural peasantry, completely enslaved Skobun claimed his total budget was adventure film. (And in a world where exposes its weak characterization and lack by Polish feudal lords.” $180,000, “raised by the residents of Ukrainian news stands still offer a glut of of dramatic tension.. And not to give any- Oleksa Dovbush (1700-1745) was the Bukovyna region.” (For perspective, accord- Russian sci-fi, detective and thriller books, thing away, the sweetened “patriotic” end- most renowned of the “opryshky” – parti- ing to Hollywood Reporter, a lone make-up what’s wrong with that?) ing has the effect of being tacked on. sans who fought back against systemic artist can typically expect to make upwards In the most affecting episodes in There were three previous efforts to make injustices. These bands of outlaws hid in of $124,000 for one big-budget movie.) He “Legends,” the young Dovbush is an abnor- a movie about the opryshky. The earliest film, also stated that production for “Legends” (his the elevations and deep forests of the mally shy boy, teased by other children “Oleksa Dovbush,” was lost when the Kyiv first film) lasted over two years and com- Carpathians, often crossing the borders of because he never speaks. When his uncle crew in the Carpathian Mountains ran into prised mainly unpaid enthusiasts, many of Romania and Hungary. Their members takes him up the mountain at night to con- advance Wehrmacht units in 1941. The sec- whom learned their tasks for the first time. came from various nationalities, including sult with a magician, the verdict that “he is ond “Oleksa Dovbush” was directed by Viktor Two questions arise: the historical accu- the renowned Romanian Hryhir Pyntia. (In not an ordinary child” introduces the folk- Ivanov in 1969 and is available on YouTube. racy of “Legends” and its artistic merits. 1837 an Austrian warrant was issued for loric prophecy. Soon afterwards, he kills a Perhaps it is this version which is the stron- It is noteworthy that many highly the following opryshky: Moishe Reisner, wild boar that attacked his uncle. gest artistically, and which strikes a comfort- praised and entertaining films actually have Srul Shor, Hersh Mendon and Berl Levy.) Throughout the film, more omens, dreams able balance between a romantic and realis- an abysmal record of fidelity to facts. At the same time, we are blessed with a and apparitions surface at key moments. tic approach. Beautifully framed and filmed, Financed by the Indian government, the wealth of folklore – tales of young Oleksa’s The turning point occurs when Dovbush this Dovbush is a Soviet-style decisive hero, propaganda debacle “Gandhi” (1982) went feats of strength approaching the myths of sees his mother murdered by the overlords square jawed, courageous and merciful, yet on to win eight Academy Awards, including, Paul Bunyan. Most renowned is the colorful and begins his life as an avenger. someone who connects with the audience. astoundingly, for Best Screenplay. (Anyone ballad “In a Green Grove,” where the last These early scenes of the young Oleksa The third film, “Soul of Stone” (“Kaminna curious about all the whitewashing and days of the outlaw are fairly accurately are most memorable and sustain the view- Dusha”) filmed in 1989 by director omissions perpetrated to sanctify Gandhi chronicled: Dovbush arrives in the town of er’s interest in this mysterious boy. Stanislav Klymenko, is a gritty but ultimate- can easily find on the Internet Richard Kosmach for a rendezvous with Dzvinka, Costumes (some original Hutsul apparel ly depressing “verismo” movie (based on Grenier’s “The Gandhi Nobody Knows.”) the wife of Shtefan. Dzvinka replies Shtefan more than 200 years old) and interior shots another Hnat Khotkevych tale) of opryshky Similar sweeping historical distortions can is away at work, but does not unbolt the are convincing, as are local details like the leader Dmytro Marusiak, an enigmatic, be seen in the “Charge of the Light Brigade,” door. Dovbush breaks it down and is shot gossiping women in church and the legend- cruel and self-destructive anti-hero. It is and in the lies in Orson Welles’ “Citizen by Shtefan. With his dying breath, he asks ary trials undergone by new recruits. also found on YouTube. (Additionally, direc- Kane” and in the contrivances in “Amadeus.” his fellow opryshky to lift him on their axes “Legends” was filmed on location in the tor Oles Sanin’s film about Dovbush is now For centuries portrayed in folklore as the and bear him to his beloved highlands. Carpathians, featuring the “Splintered in production.) “Robin Hood of Ukraine,” Oleksa Dovbush “Bear me to my mountain home, Cliffs” (“Protiati Kaminnia”) where the In the 1969 film, Dovbush, although was, in fact, a real person. In the mid-18th So I’ll die where I was born, opryshky hid. While there are several admi- wounded, walks off into the setting sun century, there surfaced “black book” city Where my mother, father lie rable landscapes and camera angles (the court records from Stanislaviv (today’s In the highlands ’neath the sky.” director related to this author how they (Continued on page 16) 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 No. 22

Poland seeks permanent U.S. presence the continent in any way.” He added, “These told RFE/RL that she would not comment NEWSBRIEFS Polish Defense Minister Mariusz expansionist steps, certainly, result in coun- on the FSB’s “latest fantasy.” The FSB state- teractions of the Russian side to balance ment said that in January the group set the (Continued from page 2) Blaszczak said on May 28 that he has had talks with U.S. officials about permanently the parity which is violated every time this home of Crimea’s Moscow-backed chief Ex-presidents see threat in tensions stationing U.S. troops in Poland as a deter- way,” according to Russia’s state-run TASS mufti, Emirali Ablayev, on fire. In April, rent against Russian aggression. Mr. news agency on May 28. (RFE/RL, based on Russia said it had detained one of the Five ex-presidents from Poland and Blaszczak said he had the talks recently in reporting by AP, BBC, Onet.pl, and TASS) alleged members, Oleksandr Steshenko, as Ukraine have issued a joint appeal for rec- he entered Crimea to prepare “provoca- Washington that were prompted by securi- Nord Stream 2 called hybrid ‘weapon’ onciliation between their countries amid ty concerns following Russia’s illegal tions.” Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry at growing nationalism and provocations annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula Polish Prime Minister Mateusz the time asked Moscow for explanations and from Russia that have strained their rela- and its support for pro-Russia separatist Morawiecki says Russia’s planned natural- demanded that his whereabouts be tions. The ex-presidents expressed con- fighters in eastern Ukraine. “The result of gas pipeline, Nord Stream 2, is a weapon of revealed. (Crimea Desk, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian cerned about the strains, saying that unity our efforts is that the U.S. Senate has con- hybrid warfare that Moscow wants to use to Service, with reporting by AFP) was now needed given “the challenge of tacted the Pentagon about an assessment undermine European energy security and Ukraine’s envoys to CIS bodies recalled Russian aggression to Ukraine.” The appeal of...[the] permanent presence of U.S. troops the solidarity of the European Union and was presented at a May 28 news confer- in Poland,” Mr. Blaszczak said on state NATO. Mr. Morawiecki said at a NATO Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko ence in Warsaw by the two former Polish Radio 1. “Such presence is of great impor- Parliamentary Assembly meeting in Warsaw has signed a decree recalling Kyiv’s envoys presidents, Aleksander Kwasniewski and tance because it deters the adversary.” A on May 28 that Nord Stream 2 is “a poison from bodies of the Commonwealth of Bronislaw Komorowski. It also was signed report by the Onet.pl news portal says pill for European security, which can have Independent States (CIS), a loose grouping by former Ukrainian Presidents Leonid Warsaw is offering up to $2 billion to help far-reaching consequences.” Nord Stream 2 of former Soviet republics that he said Kravchuk, Leonid Kuchma and Viktor build the infrastructure for a permanent is a controversial project that would expand Ukraine no longer has any use for. Mr. Yushchenko. Poland for years was one of U.S. base in Poland. Poland currently hosts the current Nord Stream pipeline, which Poroshenko announced the decree in a the strongest advocates in the European a contingent of U.S. troops on a rotational, passes along the bottom of the Baltic Sea to speech in the western city of Vinnytsia on Union and NATO for bringing Ukraine into temporary, but open-ended mission. In deliver Russian gas to Germany. The United May 19, his press service said. “We have the Western fold. That position infuriated Moscow, Russian President Vladimir States, Poland, the Baltic states and several nothing more to do there,” Mr. Poroshenko Moscow. But Polish-Ukrainian ties have Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said other European Union countries have said, according to a statement from his been strained recently over disagreements that an increase in NATO’s military pres- expressed concern about Nord Stream 2 – office. “We are moving together to Europe.” rooted in historical grievances. (RFE/RL, ence near Russia’s borders “certainly does which avoids existing gas pipelines through Kyiv has been an associate member of the based on reporting by AP and Reuters) not contribute to security and stability on Ukraine – and the added leverage on energy CIS since it was formed following the col- security it could give Moscow. Russian lapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Full President Vladimir Putin has said members include Russia and eight former Washington’s opposition to Nord Stream 2 Soviet republics – Armenia, Azerbaijan, stems from President Donald Trump’s Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, desire to encourage exports of U.S. liquefied Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Mr. Poroshenko To PLace Your ad caLL WaLTer HoncHarYK (973) 292-9800 x3040 natural gas. Earlier at the assembly, Polish announced plans to quit the CIS last month, or e-mail [email protected] President Andrzej Duda also issued a warn- criticizing the organization’s “failure to ing about Russian intentions in Europe. denounce Russia’s aggression [in Ukraine].” “With regret, it must be said that Moscow (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service) services ProFessionaLs has never come to terms with the collapse of the imperial Soviet Union. The invasion of Poroshenko enacts new sanctions Georgia and the unlawful annexation of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko Crimea and military intervention in Ukraine has signed a decree to enact a recently illustrate the real intentions of Russia,” Mr. adopted decision to expand sanctions on Duda said. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by Russian companies and entities. The presi- AP, CTK, and EuroZpravy.cz) dential decree signed on May 14 appeared on the presidential website late in the eve- FSB accuses Tatars of “extremist” plot ning on May 17. The document did not Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) carry the names of persons or companies has accused Crimean Tatar activists of included in the latest sanctions list. orchestrating and carrying out attacks with Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Kyiv’s support, allegations described as Council on May 2 approved the sanctions, “fantasy” by the Security Service of Ukraine which mirror those of the United States (SBU). The FSB said in a May 21 statement that blacklisted tycoons and allies of LAW OFFICES OF that an alleged group of plotters was led by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kyiv has Erol Veliyev, a parliamentary assistant to also extended existing sanctions it intro- ZENON______B. MASNYJ, ESQ. Ukrainian lawmaker Mustafa Dzhemilev, a duced against hundreds of Russian compa- In the East Village since 1983 veteran Crimean Tatar leader. Rights nies and entities in response to the annexa- groups and Western governments have tion of Crimea in 2014 and Kremlin sup- Serious personal injury, real estate denounced what they call a campaign of port for a pro-Russia separatist movement for personal and business use, repression targeting members of the in the country’s east. The council has said representation of small and mid-size services Turkic-speaking Crimean Tatar minority the new sanctions would be in force for at businesses, securities arbitration, and others who opposed Moscow’s seizure least three years and include penalties on divorce, wills and probate. of the Black Sea peninsula in March 2014. Russian lawmakers and top officials. (RFE/ The majority of Crimean Tatars opposed RL, with reporting by Reuters) (By Appointment Only) the Russian takeover of their historic Loznitsa wins prize at Cannes festival 140 Second Avenue homeland. The FSB accused Crimean Tatar New York, NY 10003 activists of establishing, participating in, Ukrainian film director Serhiy Loznitsa 212-477-3002 and recruiting for an extremist group – has won a best director prize in the Cannes [email protected] charges that can be punished by up to 10 film festival’s Un Certain Regard competi- years in prison. It said the group led by Mr. tion for “Donbass,” his odyssey about the If 212-477-3002 landline not working, Veliyev acted on orders from Refat conflict in eastern Ukraine. The Un Certain please call 201-247-2413 Chubarov – chairman of the Mejlis, the Regard awards, which were announced on Crimean Tatars’ self-governing body that May 18, go to more edgy films and up-and- Russia has outlawed – “with support” from MercHandise the SBU. In Kyiv, a spokeswoman for the SBU (Continued on page 15)

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Run your advertisement here, in The Ukrainian Weekly’s CLASSIFIEDS section. No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 15

possibility of Moscow wanting to exchange awarded funds to Ukraine.” Mr. Poroshenko people from various regions of Russia to NEWSBRIEFS Mr. Sushchenko for the head of RIA said the assets Naftogaz would seek to Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. “But Novosti’s branch in Ukraine, Kirill acquire would include shares in the Nord this is held as a military secret because they (Continued from page 14) Vyshinsky, who is accused by Ukrainian Stream and Nord Stream 2 natural-gas pipe- know perfectly well that it is a crime,” Mr. coming directors than those awarded in the authorities of high treason. That case has lines. The Swedish arbitration court’s deci- Dzhemilev said. He estimated that the total Palme d’Or prizes in Cannes’ main film com- drawn harsh criticism from Moscow and sion awarded Naftogaz $2.56 billion, but number of Russians brought into the disput- petition. The Un Certain Regard prizes were expressions of concern from media watch- nearly $50 million more has been added to ed region was between 850,000 and 1 mil- awarded a day ahead of the main awards dogs. (RFE/RL’s Russian Service, RFE/RL’s the award in interest because of Gazprom’s lion. Mr. Dzhemilev, a dissident during Soviet ceremony, which is due to take place on May Ukrainian Service, with reporting by TASS failure to pay the award. Gazprom and times and longtime activist for Crimean 19. Mr. Loznitsa’s hard-hitting film depicts and AFP) Naftogaz filed multibillion-dollar cases Tatar causes, did not say what sources he the brutal conflict since 2014 between gov- against each in the Swedish court in 2014. had used to make his estimate. Crimea had a ernment forces and Russia-backed separat- Saakashvili for sanctions on Poroshenko Naftogaz has argued it was owed compen- population of some 2.24 million people in ists in eastern Ukraine in a “post-truth” Exiled politician Mikheil Saakashvili is sation from Gazprom due to the Russian 2014, the year that Russia illegally occupied world dominated by fake news. The film calling on European nations to impose firm’s failure to send certain quantities of the Ukrainian peninsula. “Russia is now portrays the region as declining into a gang- sanctions on Ukrainian President Petro gas annually, as contractually agreed, and of roughly repeating the same strategy that land-style war at a time when Russia is Poroshenko and his inner circle for alleged- paying Naftogaz too little for the gas that was used during the first occupation [of seeking to reassert itself in the world some ly violating his human rights. Mr. transited through the Ukrainian company’s Crimea] under [Empress] Catherine [the 18 years after the Soviet Union collapsed. Saakashvili on May 29 charged that Mr. pipelines. (RFE/RL, with reporting by Great],” he said. “At that time it wasn’t possi- Mr. Loznitsa, whose previous film “A Gentle Poroshenko, a former political ally who Interfax-Ukraine and TASS) ble to deport people since there were no Creature” competed in the Cannes festival railroads. So they simply created impossible made him governor of Odesa before they Dzhemilev: 1M Russians brought into Crimea last year, told the AFP news agency in an parted ways over allegations of corruption living conditions for people in order to force interview last week that he felt compelled to in the government, breached international Russia has relocated up to 1 million peo- them to migrate. As a result, Crimean Tatars make the film because of “the world crum- law by stripping him of his Ukrainian citi- ple to the annexed Ukrainian region of very quickly became a minority people.” bling around him.” He noted: “My main con- zenship and kicking him out of the country Crimea, according to Mustafa Dzhemilev, the Russia has announced steps increasing the cern and my main subject is the particular in February. Speaking in the Netherlands, longtime leader of the Crimean Tatars and number of military personnel in Crimea, but type of human being, which is produced by where he has been residing along with his Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s exact numbers on the amount of personnel a society, where aggression, decay, and dis- Dutch wife and two sons, Mr. Saakashvili envoy for Crimean Tatar affairs. Mr. moved to Crimea have not been made public integration rule.” He also told AFP that “The said sanctions should be used not only to Dzhemilev told Ukrinform on May 27 that by Moscow. (Crimean Desk, RFE/RL’s information war waged by [President push Mr. Poroshenko to restore his Moscow was bringing “large numbers” of Ukrainian Service) Vladimir] Putin’s Russia uses all of the most Ukrainian citizenship, but to target assets efficient and modern technical means avail- that he alleged Ukraine’s leaders have able to influence attitudes around the obtained illegally. “We are looking for their world, to hammer home one truth as the The Executive Committee assets across Europe to impound them, truth.”. Mr. Loznitsa is viewed as a national of the because they were stolen from the treasure in Ukraine after making some two Ukrainian National Association Ukrainian people,” Mr. Saakashvili said. His dozen documentaries and films that have British lawyer Geoffrey Robertson said he brought him international renown. His doc- regrets to announce to the members umentary “Maidan” about Kyiv’s pro-West- cannot take the Saakashvili case to of the General Assembly, to members ern street revolution premiered at a special European courts until he has exhausted his of UNA Branch 434 and to the Cannes screening in 2014. (RFE/RL, based options in Ukraine’s slow-moving judicial UNA membership at large that on reporting by AFP and DPA) system. “I don’t have personal ambitions,” Mr. Saakashvili said. “But I have ambition to Journalist faces 14-year term help Ukrainian democracy, to help Ukraine Alexandra Dolnycky Russian prosecutors are seeking a in the corruption fight.” (RFE/RL, based on (November 26, 1922 – April 20, 2018) 14-year prison term for Ukrainian journal- reporting by AP and AFP) Secretary of Branch 434 in Montreal, QC, ist Roman Sushchenko, who is on trial in Naftogaz trying to recover funds owed Moscow on espionage charges in a case passed away on April 20, 2018. viewed by Kyiv and rights activists as politi- Naftogaz of Ukraine has begun the pro- Mrs. Dolnycky was a proud Branch Secretary for 46 years. cally motivated. “The prosecution asked 14 cess of trying to recover the billions of dol- years [in prison] for Roman Sushchenko,” lars it is owed by Russia’s giant state-con- The Executive Committee and the entire UNA membership his lawyer, Mark Feigin wrote on Twitter on trolled gas monopoly, Gazprom, due to an wish to express their deepest sympathy to son Alexander May 28, saying in a separate tweet that the arbitration-court verdict. Naftogaz said on with his wife Chrystyna, son Vasyl, daughter Maria with Moscow City Court will announce its ver- May 30 that it was seeking to legally acquire her husband Serhiy and granddaughter Maria. dict in the case on June 4. Russia’s TASS Gazprom shares of stock and other assets in news agency quoted a source at Mr. European countries to gain some of the $2.6 Mrs. Dolnycky was a very active and long-time supporter Sushchenko’s closed-door trial at the billion from Gazprom that Naftogaz was of the UNA. Her dedication to the Ukrainian National Moscow City Court as saying that the pros- awarded in March by the Arbitration Association will not be forgotten. ecutor asked for 14 years of imprisonment Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of for the reporter in a maximum-security Commerce. Naftogaz said it was working in Вічна Їй пам’ять! correctional facility. Ukraine reiterated its Switzerland, the Netherlands and Britain to call for Mr. Sushchenko to be freed, with gain Gazprom assets in those countries. Foreign Affairs Ministry spokeswoman Gazprom – which has thus far refused to Maryana Betsa calling him a “hostage to pay the award – has pledged to challenge Russia’s aggression.” The maximum sen- the attempts to acquire its assets in court by We are saddened to inform our friends and tence prosecutors could seek for the making counterclaims against Naftogaz. acquaintances that our dear sister Ukrainian journalist was 20 years. Russian Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said judges do not have to follow prosecutors’ on Facebook that he ordered Naftogaz to guidance on sentencing but rarely impose expand its efforts to other European coun- higher sentences than requested by the tries in an effort to recoup the award from Claudia “Lada“ Sochynsky prosecution. Mr. Sushchenko, a Paris-based Gazprom. “The process of the enforcement correspondent for the Ukrinform news of recovery of $2.6 billion from Gazprom agency, was detained in Moscow in 2016 has been moved to practice,” he said, adding has passed on May 14th, in Durham, on suspicion of collecting classified infor- that he had held a meeting with Naftogaz North Carolina after a short illness. mation. He pleaded not guilty at the start of CEO Andriy Kobolev. “My clear order is that his trial in March. Mr. Feigin told the 112 we must not stop on these three countries A “Remembrance“ for family and those who knew her Ukraine TV channel he did not rule out the and do our best to ensure the arrival of will be held on Sunday, June 24th at 12:00 pm, at The Ukrainian Institute of America, at 2 East 79th Street in NYC. In April 2014, NATO unanimously decided Turning... to suspend cooperation with Russia. “…We have decided to suspend all practical civilian Lada had a long career in the health science and (Continued from page 6) and military cooperation between NATO pharmaceutical industries, and was a skilled artisan, chorister, dedicated the climate of relations, “Russia must show and Russia. Our political dialogue in the birder and avid photographer. She served as President that it is prepared to play by the same rules NATO-Russia Council can continue, as nec- of the Young Professionals at the Ukrainian Institute from 1983 as everybody else.” essary, at the foremost on this crisis.” to 1988, and was a frequent participant in Club Suzie-Q. The NATO-Russia Council last met in (http://www.NATO.int.) NATO said it would March 2017 in advance of the NATO foreign review relations with Russia on an ongoing She is survived by: basis. ministerial meeting in Brussels. In February brother - Yarko and his children Anna and Michael 2017, the Russian foreign affairs minister Source: “NATO secretary general outlines said he supports the resumption of military alliance’s position on Russia-Ukraine crisis,” sister - Nona and her husband Peter Shyprykevich cooperation with the NATO alliance. The Ukrainian Weekly, June 8, 2014. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 No. 22

Ukrainian Institute... (Continued from page 1) ing notable guests from Ukraine and its represen- tatives. In 2016, in cooperation with the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, the institute hosted Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko and First Lady Maryna Poroshenko for a meeting with the community. Mr. Swistel also paid tribute to past UIA presi- dents, under whose leadership and commitment to the UIA’s mission, the institute was able to con- tinue Dzus’s legacy. Speakers also lauded the

Pavlo Terekhov Dr. Daniel Swistel, president of the Bohdan Grytsiv Ukrainian Institute of America, Guests at the 70th anniversary gala of the UIA. welcomes guests. institute’s stewardship of its home, an architec- A large number of community leaders and activ- tural landmark, noting that taking good care of ists attended the gala celebration. Also present the mansion, which dates to 1897, is both an were Theodore Dzus, William Dzus’s grandson, honor and responsibility for the Ukrainian com- and Carol Dzus; and members of Ukraine’s diplo- munity, and paves the way for future generations matic corps: Oleksii Holubov, consul general of to enjoy and take pride in what is described as Ukraine in New York; Yuri Vitrenko, deputy perma- one of the “jewels” of the Ukrainian diaspora. In nent representative; as well as Yuriy Sergeyev, for- Bohdan Grytsiv the last several years, the institute has spent over mer permanent representative of Ukraine to U.N. At the Ukrainian Institute of America anniversary gala (from left) are: $1.5 million on upgrades, restoration and repairs Greetings on the institute’s 70th anniversary Mykola Suk, Solomiya Ivakhiv, Tanya Bannister and Oleh Krysa. – all thanks to the generosity of donors. were also sent by Ukraine’s first lady; Volodymyr Yelchenko, permanent representative of Ukraine to U.N.; and Bill de Blasio, mayor of New York City. The gala’s high point was a concert presented by violinist Solomiya Ivakhiv, the artistic director of Music at the Institute (MATI) concert series; violinist Oleh Krysa; pianist Tanya Bannister; and pianist Mykola Suk. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Ukrainian Institute of America Endowment Fund.

Pavlo Terekhov Violinist Solomiya Ivakhiv and pianist Tanya Bannister perform.

“Legends...” (Continued from page 13) with his paramour. In 1989, the last clip shows the disheveled opryshok Marusiak commiting suicide before the advancing Polish troops. The 2017 “Legends” has an upbeat ending for Dovbush with voice-over narration about the whole nation being ultimately victorious. Take your pick. Stanislav Liudkevych devoted many years to composing his massive (never staged) opera “Dovbush.” In 1956, he defended his libretto before the Third Congress of the Union of Soviet Composers of Ukraine: “Throughout our history, heroes had flaws, but that does not diminish them. The aspirations of Dovbush were doomed to failure by historical circumstances… In reality, Dovbush was not the organizer of some national uprising. He was merely a partisan, exalted by the people as their romantic avenger. This means the basis for my depiction of Dovbush must be his halo from folk legend.” The deepest meaning of Oleksa Dovbush lies in what he signifies to Ukrainians. The many tales and ballads preserve our people’s wisdom and artistry, filtered and crystallized over decades of retellings. Folklore does not shy away from heroic flaws and is often surprisingly accurate. This is what Liudkevych meant by “his halo from folk legend.” No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 17

impunity,” Mr. Johnson said in a statement. Bellingcat... “This is an egregious example of the Kremlin’s disregard for innocent life,” the XI Ukrainian World Congress (Continued from page 3) foreign secretary said, noting that 10 held these functions at the time of the British citizens were killed in the shoot to be held November 24-26 in Kyiv downing of MH17” in July 2014. down. UWC In the framework of commemorations of According to the Bellingcat report, Mr. Kurt Volker, the special U.S. envoy for the 85th anniversary of the Holodomor, Ivannikov was known by militants and sep- Ukraine, said on May 24 that the JIT’s latest TORONTO – The Ukrainian World delegates and guests of the XI UWC aratists under his command in eastern report was “very significant” because it Congress has announced that the XI Ukrainian Congress will honor the memory of the vic- Ukraine’s Luhansk region as Andrei underlines “the lack of ambiguity that there World Congress (XI UWC Congress) will be tims of the genocide of the Ukrainian peo- Ivanovich and under the radio call name is indeed a direct responsibility in Russia.” held November 24-26 in Kyiv, Ukraine. ple during state commemorations sched- “Orion.” “We need Russia to turn the corner here The XI UWC Congress will review the uled to be held in Kyiv on November 24 – The JIT has been seeking the identity of and decide to make peace,” Mr. Volker said. work of the UWC for the period of 2013- International Holodomor Memorial Day. the person known as Andrei Ivanovich, 2018, discuss statutory matters and topics “I call upon our entire network to actively with the call sign “Orion,” in connection With reporting by RFE/RL’s Russian of relevance to the Ukrainian community, participate in the XI UWC Congress and, with its international criminal investigation Service, RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service, RFE/RL and will also highlight the primary focus of with your voice, take an active part in the into the MH17 downing. correspondent Rikard Jozwiak in Brussels, its activity for the next four-year term. On continuing development of the work of the Bellingcat said that in addition to his AP, Reuters, and the BBC. November 26, delegates of the XI UWC Ukrainian World Congress in the defense of undercover deployment in eastern Ukraine, Copyright 2018, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted Congress will elect a new board of directors. the interests of the global Ukrainian commu- Mr. Ivannikov had previously worked as a with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ Participating in the work of the XI UWC nity and our spiritual homeland Ukraine,” GRU agent to support separatists in Georgia’s Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Congress will be representatives of UWC stated UWC President Eugene Czolij. breakaway region of South Ossetia. Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see member organizations and associate mem- More detailed information about the XI The Bellingcat report said Mr. Ivannikov https://www.rferl.org/a/netherlands-aus- bers, and guests from its network, which UWC Congress is available on the UWC had used the alias Andrei Ivanovich Laptav tralia-to-hold-russia-legally-responsible-for- today includes Ukrainian communities in website, http://www.ukrainianworldcon- from 2006 through 2008, when he was the shooting-down-mh17/29250256.html). 53 countries. gress.org. minister of defense and emergencies in the self-declared government of the breakaway region. “This is somebody who has a long histo- ry of operating proxy wars on behalf of the Russian government,” Bellingcat founder Eliot Higgins told RFE/RL on May 25. “What this helps us do is... identify the com- mand structure and how heavily involved the Russian government was. And we can see with this report, our earlier reports, and reports on other subjects around Ukraine that the Russian government was extremely heavily involved. And now we have the names of individuals who com- manded things.” Russian denial Russia and pro-Russia separatists deny shooting down MH17 and have offered sev- eral other theories to explain the tragedy, all of which have been rejected by the JIT. The JIT comprises investigators from Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia had not been a full-fledged partici- pant in JIT’s investigation and could not therefore trust its findings. Mr. Peskov also said he could not com- ment about the Bellingcat report, saying he was “not familiar with its materials” and did not know “on what basis those conclu- sions were made.” Western condemnation But the European Union foreign-policy chief Federica Mogherini and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on May 25 both called on Russia to “accept its responsibility and to fully cooperate with all efforts to establish accountability.” “The downing of MH17 was a global tragedy, and those responsible must be held accountable,” Mr. Stoltenberg said. Separately, the NATO chief told RFE/RL that members of the military alliance will address a wide range of issues during a session of the NATO-Russia Council planned for May 31, including “the chal- lenges we see with increased military activ- ity along our borders.” “What happened over Ukraine with the downing of MH17 reflects the dangers we see when there are a conflict and increased military activities close to our borders,” he said. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said it was time for Russia to “acknowledge its role in the shooting down of MH17 and to cease its callous dis- information campaign.” Britain’s Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also said Russia “must now answer for its action in relation to the downing of MH17.” “The Kremlin believes it can act with 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 No. 22

June 6, 8 Film screening, “Julia Blue” by Roxy Toporowych, June 15-17 U.S. Open Cup Championship, Ukrainian American Seattle, WA Seattle International Film Festival, SIFF Cinema Horsham, PA Sports Center – Tryzub, www.tryzub.org Uptown, https://www.siff.net/festival/julia-blue June 16 Craft demonstration and fashion show, “Festival of Felt,” June 8 Accordionfest sing-along, Ukrainian American Cultural New York with instruction by Marta Zahaykevich, The Ukrainian Whippany, NJ Center of New Jersey, facebook.com/uaccnj Museum, www.ukrainianmuseum.org or 212-228-0110

June 8-10 Kingston Folklore Festival, Lviv, Ukraine Pavilion, Regiopolis June 17 Father’s Day Festival, Ukrainian American Sports Center Kingston, ON Notre Dame Catholic High School, Odesa Pavilion, Canadian Horsham, PA – Tryzub, www.tryzub.org Corps Hall, 613-549-5060 or 905-725-9573 June 17 Felted Ruffled Scarf Workshop with Irena Levkovich, New York “Festival of Felt,” The Ukrainian Museum, June 8 through Art exhibit, “Images of Enamel by Oleksii Koval,” www.ukrainianmuseum.org or 212-228-0110 July 1 Ukrainian National Museum, Chicago www.ukrainiannationalmuseum.org or 312-421-8020 June 24 Palos Fest Ukrainian Style, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Palos Park, IL Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 708-361-8876 June 9 Annual Tryzub Golf Outing, Limekiln Golf Club, Ukrainian Horsham, PA American Sports Center – Tryzub, www.tryzub.org or June 29 through Nadiya Ye Festival, Ukrainian American Youth 215-643-0643 July 1 Association, www.cym.org/us-ellenville Ellenville, NY June 9-10 Chervona Ruta Festival, Palatine Ukrainian Festival, Ukrainian Palatine, IL Center, 847-358-3582 or [email protected] June 30 through USCAK-East tennis tournament, Ukrainian Sports July 1 Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada, www.soyuzivka.com June 10 Hierarchical Moleben Serivce, Ukrainian Catholic Kerhonkson, NY or 215-266-3943 Philadelphia Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 215-627-0143 or [email protected] July 6-8 Ukrainian Pysanka Festival, Festival Grounds, Vegreville, AB 780-632-2777 or www.pysankafestival.com June 10-15 Special 50+ Week at Soyuzivka, Soyuzivka Heritage Kerhonkson, NY Center, 845-626-5641 or 973-292-9800 ext. 3071 July 7 Ukrainian Dance Camp Performance and Zabava, Lehighton, PA Ukrainian Homestead, www.ukrhomestead.com June 14 Yearly summit, “Providing Ukraine with an Annual Report Washington Card,” Center for U.S-Ukrainian Relations, Ukrainian July 7 Golf tournament, “Legends on Niagara” at Ussher’s Creek Congress Committee of America, University Club, Niagara Falls, ON Course, Ukrainian Golf Association of Canada, 212-228-6840 or [email protected] 905-295-9595 or www.niagraraparksgolf.com/legends-on- the-niagara/usshers-creek June 15-17 Ukrainian Journalists of North America conference, Kerhonkson, NY Soyuzivka Heritage Center, www.soyuzivka.com Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions June 15-17 Yonkers Ukrainian Festival, St. Michael Ukrainian from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors Yonkers, NY Catholic Church, http://yonkersukrainianfestival.org and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected].

Congratulations to the Inductees to the 2018 Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame! Inductee Award Banquet September 15, 2018 TRYZUB Ukrainian American Sports Center Lower State And County Line Roads, Horsham, PA 19044 details soon on website

Professional Athletes: Amateur Athletes: Walter Edward “Turk” Broda Hockey Andy Bakun Soccer Bernie Federko Hockey Ivan Durbak Tennis John Hnatyschak Body Building Orest Meleschuk Curling Johnny Jadick Boxing Edward Werenich Curling Corey Koskie Baseball Dmytro Kovalenko Soccer Builders: Dennis Maruk Hockey Wolodymyr Baranetsky Mike Mazurki Wrestling Mike Burchuk William Mosienko Hockey Myron Bytz Bronislaw Nagurski Football, Vlodko Hnatiuk Wrestling Ivan Krasnyk Steve Patrick (Patrebka) Football Marion Kolodij Mike Souchak Golf Volodymyr Kulyk Victor John Stasiuk Hockey Myron Zatwarnicki Walter Robert Bogdan Tkaczuk Hockey Evelyn Wawryshyn Baseball Paralympic Athlete Vadym Sviridenko Paralympics

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Teams USK, New York, 1964/1965 Soccer

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Visit our archive online: www.ukrweekly.com No. 22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 19 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018 No. 22

PREVIEW OF EVENTS

Friday, June 8 ists selling jewelry, paintings, games and CHICAGO: The exhibit “Images of Enamel toys. Multiple rides will be available on by Oleksii Koval,” curated by Nina Saturday at 1-4 p.m. with the purchase of a Burnevich, opens at 7 p.m. at the one-price ticket. For more information go Ukrainian National Museum, 2249 W. to www.yonkersukrainianfestival.org. Superior St., Chicago, IL, 60707. Admission Sunday, June 17 is $10. The exhibit will feature enamel and graph- HORSHAM, Pa.: The popular Father’s Day ics by this Kyiv artist, who has been creat- Ukrainian Fest will commence at 1 p.m. at ing monumental art for nearly 20 years. Tryzubivka (Ukrainian American Sport He has exhibited and participated in Center, County Line and Lower State numerous workshops and exhibitions roads). A 2 p.m. stage show will feature across the world. His works are in private the Voloshky School of Ukrainian Dance, collections in Ukraine, Bulgaria, Italy, accordionist Walter Syzonenko, and sing- Croatia, China, Nepal and India. The exhib- ers Sofiya Pitula and Maksim it will be on view through July 1. For more Shcherbatyuk. A lively outdoor “zabava” in information call 312-421-8020, or visit the dance pavilion to the tunes of the www.ukrainiannationalmuseum.org. accordionist will follow. There will be Museum hours: Thursday through Sunday, plentiful Ukrainian homemade foods and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for baked goods, picnic fare and cool refresh- adults, free for children under age 12. ments for all tastes and ages. Enjoy the U.S. Adult Soccer Association’s Region One U.S. Friday-Sunday, June 15-17 Open Cup and U.S. Amateur Cup (U.S. YONKERS, N.Y.: The Ukrainian Heritage national championship quarterfinals) Festival in Yonkers, N.Y., is being held over games, men’s, women’s, and men’s over 30 Father’s Day weekend at St. Michael’s and under 23 throughout the afternoon. Ukrainian Catholic Church, 21 Shonnard Admission and parking are free. For infor- Place. Hours are: Friday, 6-10 p.m.; mation call 267-664-3857, e-mail info@ Saturday, 1-10 p.m.; Sunday, 1-7 p.m. tryzub.org or visit www.tryzub.org; see There will be music and dance perfor- also the Facebook page of Tryzub mances, carnival rides, refreshments, art- Ukrainian American Sport Center.

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Реченець замовлення квитків - 15-го червня. Квитки на святковий бенкет не будуть продаватися при дверях. Дорослі - $50; Діти 5-12 - $15.

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