INSIDE:  Canadian PM, U.S. secretary of state greet Ukraine – page 3  Oleh Sentsov’s closing statement at his trial – page 8  Our communities mark Ukraine’s Independence Day – page 16

ThePublished U by thekrainian Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal W non-profit associationeekly Vol. LXXXIII No. 35 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 $2.00 Ukraine celebrates independence despite ongoing turmoil in east by Zenon Zawada KYIV – The Ukrainian government commemorated the start of its 25th year of independence from Moscow on August 24 by hosting a march of the nation’s top soldiers along Kyiv’s main boulevard, Khreshchatyk, and awarding Anti-Terrorist Operation commanders honorary battle flags. Though it dropped the display of armaments and hard- ware as was the case in the previous year’s Khreschatyk parade, the Ukrainian government emphasized the military theme, which remains relevant as Russian-backed terror- ists continue to engage in daily attacks on Ukrainian mili- tary and civilian targets. “It was you who made an attack deep into Ukraine impossible for the enemy, who – besides the Anschluss of Crimea and Sevastopol – tried, attempted and planned to annex at a minimum eight other Ukrainian regions in the framework of the so-called Novorossiya project,” Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said in a pre-Independence Day speech on August 22 to soldiers at the Chuhuyiv Presidential Administration of Ukraine Airfield in the Kharkiv region. Flag-bearers of Ukraine’s fighting forces during the March of Independence on August 24 in Kyiv. “It was you who freed from the occupants a large part of Ukrainian Donbas and contained the fighters in the south- east, the likelihood of which grows with Independence Day.” “We have to walk through the 25th year of indepen- eastern districts of these two regions [Donetsk and Speaking on August 24 during the March of Independence dence as if we are on a thin ice. We should understand: the Luhansk]. It’s you who, in tightly closing off the fighting lines, in central Kyiv, the president said: “Russian aggression has slightest misstep can be fatal. The war for independence are holding the defense against the aggressor with an become a catalyst of our unity. We have been completely still continues. And one can win it by combining defensive impenetrable fortress. Thanks to you, the price of a likely formed as a single Ukrainian political nation.” He empha- efforts, diplomatic skills, political responsibility and iron Russian attack became so high that even the most intoxicat- sized that “today, we are stronger than yesterday. …We can- self-control,” Mr. Poroshenko stated. ed Russian minds sobered up. But that doesn’t insure us not be enslaved or broken. We were born free on our land. against a large-scale escalation of military activity in the And we are ready to defend it until the end at any cost.” (Continued on page 10) Hundreds pay respect to fallen hero Russian court sentences Sentsov of Ukraine during monument unveiling to 20 years on terrorism charges

RFE/RL’s Russian Service page. “There will come a time when those who organized this so-called trial will A Russian court has sentenced an themselves sit on the bench of the accused.” acclaimed Ukrainian film director to 20 Mr. Sentsov, who opposed Russia’s years in a maximum-security prison on March 2014 annexation of Crimea, was multiple terrorism charges. arrested in May of that year on suspicion of The sentence was handed down after planning the fire-bombings of pro-Russian the North Caucasus District Military Court, organizations on the Ukrainian peninsula. located in the southern Russian city of The 39-year-old director denied all Rostov-on-Don, on August 25 found Oleh charges against him, saying they were Sentsov guilty of establishing a terrorist politically motivated. He told the court on group, organizing two terrorist attacks and August 19 that a “trial by occupiers cannot an attempted terrorist act, as well as be fair by definition.” attempting to illegally acquire explosives. The prosecution of Messrs. Sentsov and Mr. Sentsov’s co-defendant, Oleksandr Kolchenko has been widely criticized as Kolchenko, 26, was found guilty of involve- retaliation for their outspoken opposition ment with a terrorist group and sentenced to Russia’s annexation of Crimea. to 10 years in prison. The U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Facebook.com/Plast UA After pronouncing the verdict and sen- Geoffrey Pyatt, described the sentences as The family of Markian Paslawsky gathered at his newly erected gravestone at tence, the judge asked the defendants if the “shameful” and condemned the “Russian Askold’s Grave in Kyiv. court’s ruling was clear to them. farce of a ‘legal process.’” In response, Messrs. Sentsov and PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Hundreds, includ- exactly one year after Mr. Paslawsky, 55, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kolchenko sang Ukraine’s national anthem ing many members of Plast Ukrainian was killed in action while serving in the Kirby said the United States “strongly con- and chanted: “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Scouting Organizations paid their Ukrainian Donbas volunteer battalion demns” the sentencing of Messrs. Sentsov the Heroes!” respects during the unveiling of a memo- near the town of Ilovaysk, Ukraine, on and Kolchenko on “groundless allegations.” Their lawyers said the verdicts would be rial gravestone and plaque for Ukrainian August 19, 2014. “This is clear miscarriage of justice,” the American Markian “Franko” Paslawsky at appealed. statement added. Askold’s Grave in Kyiv on August 19, (Continued on page 14) “Be strong, Oleh,” Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko wrote on his Facebook (Continued on page 8) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 No. 35

ANALYSIS

Russian TV deserters divulge details Kyiv gets debt-restructuring deal We demand that the Russian side... imme- diately release Oleh Sentsov and Oleksandr KYIV – Kyiv has reached a debt-restruc- Kolchenko and all other political hostages. on Kremlin’s Ukraine propaganda turing deal with a group of international The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine creditors under which part of its debt will use in coverage of the conflict. calls on the international community to by Carl Schreck be written off. Prime Minister Arseniy A study by the media monitoring web- publicly condemn this cynical crime RFE/RL Yatsenyuk said on August 27 that investors site Medialogia partially corroborates this against fundamental human rights and who own Ukraine’s bonds will write off 20 claim. Results of the study showed that the increase the political and diplomatic pres- Former employees of Russia’s largest percent of their holdings, shrinking $18 bil- word “junta” disappeared from news cov- sure on the Russian Federation with the state-media holding have divulged behind- lion in sovereign debt to $15.5 billion. The erage by Russia’s six leading television net- goal of freeing all Ukrainian citizens, that the-scenes details about what they portray as deal will also extend the payment period on works shortly before and for nine days continue to be illegally held on the territory a Kremlin propaganda campaign to deliber- the government bonds by four years after the ceasefire deal was signed. of the Russian Federation.” (Ukrainian ately mislead and inflame television audienc- through 2027. Finance Minister Natalie A cursory search for the words “fascists” Canadian Congress) es with news coverage of the Ukraine conflict. Jaresko said Kyiv will use the saved 20 per- and “Banderovtsy” on VGTRK’s main news The Russian culture website Colta.ru cent to spend on social welfare and national Ukraine negotiators call for truce site reveals a sharp drop in their use vis-à- this week published tell-all accounts by defense. International Monetary Fund vis Ukraine around the time of the ceasefire. KYIV – The warring sides in the conflict two people about their time working at Managing Director Christine Lagarde said They reappeared regularly in mid-Sep- in eastern Ukraine have agreed to strive for VGTRK, Russia’s main state broadcasting the agreement will “help restore debt sus- tember, when the ceasefire collapsed and an end to all truce violations from company, whose networks included the tainability and – together with the authori- the United States and the European Union September 1 – the day the new school year national Rossiya-1 channel. ties’ policy reform efforts – will substantive- expanded sanctions against Russia. is to begin. The OSCE special representative They describe how Kremlin officials dic- ly meet the objectives” set by an IMF bailout “The situation rolled back and every- in Ukraine, Martin Sajdik, said on August tated to VGTRK management and editors program. She also appealed to other bond- thing started anew,” the interview subject 26 that the sides “agreed to jointly verify how news events should be covered, includ- holders to endorse the deal. Russia, one of ing whether incendiary buzzwords to dis- told Mr. Orlov. the fulfillment of this initiative.” He was Ukraine’s main creditors, which holds $3 speaking after representatives of Ukraine, credit Ukraine should be deployed on air. billion of Ukrainian debt in a Eurobond that One source said weather reports were Guidance and forecasts Russia and the “separatists” met under the falls due in December, said it would not par- auspices of the Organization for Security even used for propaganda purposes after A second former employee in VGTRK’s ticipate in the agreement. (RFE/RL, based Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea news broadcast operations told Mr. Orlov and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in the on reporting by Agence France-Presse, the Belarusian capital, Minsk. “Today there is a territory in March 2014 and the ensuing that the editors would convene in the Associated Press and Reuters) war between Kyiv’s forces and Russian- Kremlin every Friday at noon and return hope that from September 1 we will suc- backed separatists that the United Nations with a centimeter-high stack of papers MFA reacts to Sentsov sentence ceed fully in ending the firing,” rebel repre- says has killed more than 6,400 people. spelling out what to cover and how, as well sentative Vladislav Deinego said. “At the The August 6 report by Colta.ru did not as “who the best experts are to invite.” KYIV – In response to the August 25 ver- moment all sides have expressed the inten- identify the two sources by name. Their tes- “They brought me some of the sheets of dicts and sentencing in the Oleh Sentsov/ tion of abiding by this idea.” A ceasefire timony was gathered by Aleksandr Orlov, a paper from this file, and I worked accord- Oleksandr Kolchenko case, Ukraine’s agreement reached in Minsk in February former deputy editor in chief with VGTRK’s ing to them,” the source said. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) stated, has been regularly violated. (RFE/RL, 24-hour news network, Rossiya-24. The source added that the editor-in- “Oleh Sentsov, Oleksandr Kolchenko and based on reporting by Reuters and the Mr. Orlov, who says he was fired two chief had the freedom to decide whether or other citizens of Ukraine, who today are Associated Press). illegally imprisoned on Russian territory, years ago for his support of Russian oppo- not to air a segment about “some car acci- Former ministers urge cooperation sition leader Aleksei Navalny, is currently dent outside Moscow,” but that “where big are political hostages and innocent victims writing a book about Russian television. politics are concerned, war and peace, he of the Russian Federation’s aggression LONDON – A group of former foreign has no freedom.” against Ukraine. The illegal court decision, and defense ministers is urging Russia and ‘Welcome to the club’ The second source also told Mr. Orlov based on fabricated evidence, obtained as a NATO to come up with a set of rules to han- result of the use of psychological pressure According to one former VGTRK employ- that the bosses pushed to have the weather dle unexpected military encounters. The and physical torture against Ukrainian citi- group of 14 – including former Russian ee, a top editor mobilized his underlings for a prognoses sound ominous for Ukraine as zens, has become the final confirmation of Foreign Affairs Minister Igor Ivanov, ex- confrontation with the West at a staff meet- winter approached last year. the political bias of the Russian court sys- German Defense Minister Volker Ruehe, ing in February 2014. That month, street pro- Ukraine relies heavily on Russian gas tem. Executing political orders from the and colleagues from Britain, France, Spain tests in Kyiv led to the ouster of Ukrainian supplies, which Moscow has halted in the Kremlin, the court completely ignored the and Turkey – said rules for communication President Viktor Yanukovych, a Kremlin ally, past over pricing disputes. law, in particular ignoring evidence given at sea and in the air were paramount. and ushered in a pro-Western government. “The general trend was to stoke fear: by the defense of their innocence in the Russia and NATO have both conducted a “The editor in chief said that a ‘Cold War’ is that they depend on us but we’re not going alleged acts. This verdict testifies to the higher than usual number of military drills starting,” the source told Mr. Orlov. “...He said it to send [Ukraine] gas and you’ll all freeze,” departure of the Russian Federation from because of the crisis in Ukraine, leading to a was the beginning of an era that would make the source said. principles of impartiality in the investiga- rise in near misses between rival military the 1970s and 1980s look like child’s play. So ‘Nowhere else to go’ tive process and [departure from] compli- those who didn’t want to participate can go ance with universal norms of human rights. find something in another line of work... The accounts from Mr. Orlov’s sources (Continued on page 12) Everyone else: welcome to the club.” largely jibe with other descriptions of the Senior managers would go in for meet- inner workings of Russia’s state media ings at the Kremlin to discuss a news cover- machine given by journalists who say they age strategy, which would then filter down quit or were fired after becoming disillu- he krainian eekly FOUNDED 1933 the editorial chain, the former employee sioned with their jobs. T U W said. After Russia seized Crimea, “no less In June, Konstantin Goldentsvaig, a Berlin- An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., than one story a day” was required about based correspondent with Kremlin-allied a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. how the peninsula was thriving. NTV television, said he was released from his Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. While Russian state television regularly contract early after he gave an interview to Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. portrayed Ukraine’s post-Yanukovych lead- German television in which he called (ISSN — 0273-9348) ership as a “junta” and its supporters as Russian President Vladimir Putin “cynical.” “fascists” and “Banderovtsy” (Ukrainian In a Facebook post, Mr. Goldentsvaig The Weekly: UNA: ultranationalists), the Kremlin also pur- asked for forgiveness for participating in Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 portedly reined in the rhetoric due to polit- “collective propaganda madness.” ical developments. The first source told Mr. Orlov that many Postmaster, send address changes to: The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz The ex-employee said that after Ukrainian former colleagues are not devoted to the 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas officials and Russian-backed rebels agreed Kremlin’s media mission. Between 40 and P.O. Box 280 to an initial ceasefire in September 2014, 50 percent of them attended anti-govern- Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] those three pejoratives were banned from ment protests in Moscow in 2011-2012, the source estimated, even though the The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com bosses “categorically forbade this.” An update “But they didn’t quit,” the former VGTRK In the story “InLove magazine shares The Ukrainian Weekly, August 30, 2015, No. 35, Vol. LXXXIII employee told Mr. Orlov. “The reasons were love of all things Ukrainian” (August 23), Copyright © 2015 The Ukrainian Weekly banal: families, loans. Plus, everyone under- Tatyana Borodina was identified as execu- stood that there was nowhere else to go.” tive editor of the magazine, a position she held at the time the magazine was first Copyright 2015, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA released but no longer holds. (Ms. with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ Borodina is an editor at the online blog, Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 Elegant New York.) InLove’s editor-in-chief Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see e-mail: [email protected] is Elena Vasilevsky; and Dr. Nataliya http://www.rferl.org/content/russian-tele- Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 Ivashyna is the magazine’s literary editor vision-whistleblowers-kremlin-propagan- e-mail: [email protected] as well as deputy editor/communications. da/27178109.html). No. 35 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 3

NEWS ANALYSIS Canadian PM extends best wishes on anniversary Shyrokyne: strategic asset, of Ukraine’s independence political symbol on Azov coast Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following approximately 30 kilometers east of Shyrokyne. The statement to mark the 24th anniversary of Ukraine’s indepen- by Vladimir Socor dence. It was released on August 24 by Jason Kenney, minister for Eurasia Daily Monitor coastal highway E58/M14 runs from the Russian bor- der via Shyrokyne to Mariupol – the shortest, most multiculturalism and minister of national defense. The Contact Group on Ukraine (Minsk Group) has direct potential invasion route. In this situation, civic I am pleased to extend my best wishes to everyone in Canada recently been debating a proposal to turn the groups in Mariupol and the local defense staff oppose and around the world celebrating the 24th anniversary of the Ukrainian stronghold Shyrokyne, key to defending demilitarizing – i.e., unilaterally evacuating – Shyrokyne. republic of Ukraine’s independence. the Azov Sea port city of Mariupol, into a “demilita- “Demilitarizing” Shyrokyne would mean withdraw- On August 24, 1991, Ukraine’s Parliament declared indepen- rized zone.” The Contact Group – comprising Russia, ing Ukrainian forces from this key stronghold; a porten- dence from the Soviet Union. Canada became the first Western Ukraine, the Organization for Security and tous unilateral concession. The Minsk Contact Group’s country to proudly recognize Ukraine’s sovereignty, and since that Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the Donetsk and working group on security affairs has discussed this time Canadian-Ukrainian relations have only grown stronger, par- Luhansk “people’s republics” (DPR, LPR) – meets at idea since April. The Joint Center for Control and ticularly of late as Ukraine has fallen victim to the Putin regime’s fairly frequent, but irregular, intervals in Minsk. Coordination (JCCC, a group of Russian and Ukrainian aggression and illegal invasion and occupation of Crimea. If the proposal is approved, the village of senior military officers overseeing the ceasefire in the Our Conservative government stands shoulder-to-shoulder field, unrelated to the Minsk Group) became a party to Shyrokyne would become the first-ever demilitarized with the Ukrainian people in the face of [Vladimir] Putin’s this discussion from the outset. This format is designed zone in the ongoing conflict, and potentially a prece- aggression, imposing sanctions against more than 285 individu- dent-setting case for more demilitarized zones to to isolate Ukraine on multiple levels. als and entities associated with the Putin regime. Moreover, appear on Ukrainian territory. The Russian side and Shyrokyne has become a national political symbol Canada has contributed non-lethal military assistance, signifi- the OSCE are advancing this proposal within the for its protracted defense by volunteer battalions, sup- cantly enhanced bilateral assistance to Ukraine, is developing Minsk Contact Group. In that forum’s recent meetings ported by civil society groups from throughout and delivering military training and capacity-building programs held on July 21 and August 3-4, the Ukrainian side Ukraine, against daunting military odds. Russian forc- for Ukrainian forces personnel, and most recently, extended expressed serious reservations about this proposal. es had crossed the border into Ukraine in late August- Operation Reassurance until June 2016. Developments on the ground since then are adding to early September 2014, overran most of the Kyiv’s misgivings about this idea (Belta, Interfax, Novoazovsk district (between the border and The Ukrainian people have shown tremendous strength and Donetskoye Agentstvo Novostey, July 21, August 4; Mariupol), and turned that territory over to the DPR. resolve against the Putin regime, demonstrating courage and see Eurasia Daily Monitor, August 13). Shyrokyne or parts of it changed hands several times – determination. Our Conservative government’s position on The proposed demilitarized zone (in Shyrokyne, or a standoff that proved crucial to defending Mariupol. Ukraine is clear: we recognize the sovereignty and territorial potentially elsewhere) is not to be confused with the The artillery attack on January 24 of this year that integrity of Ukraine and will never recognize the illegal Russian safety zones already created by the Minsk armistice, killed 31 Mariupol civilians and wounded 120 came occupation of Crimea or any region of that country. nor with the buffer zone currently being proposed by from Russian-controlled heights above Shyrokyne. I was pleased to have visited Ukraine four times as prime the Russian side in the same Contact Group. The The Minsk armistice (February 12) placed minister. In addition, I hosted Arseniy Yatsenyuk, prime minister approved safety zones are defined by bans on heavy Shyrokyne and Sakhanka on the Ukrainian side of the of Ukraine, earlier this summer, and Petro Poroshenko, presi- artillery and missile systems. The proposed buffer demarcation line, but Russian/proxy forces neverthe- dent of Ukraine, in September 2014. Certainly, the relationship zones would be defined by bans on medium-caliber less seized both towns for springboards to Mariupol. between our two countries has advanced beyond its historical artillery, tanks and combat armored vehicles. (The The Ukrainians fought back and retook Shyrokyne and cultural roots to embrace cooperation in the political, eco- labels “safety” and “buffer” are, to that extent, confus- (but not Sakhanka) within days – coinciding with the nomic, security, development and commercial spheres. Of partic- ing.) Those zones extend geographically along the Russian capture of Debaltseve in another sector and ular note, I was especially pleased to welcome the completion of entire “contact line,” deeply on either side of that line another breach of the armistice. negotiations between Canada and Ukraine towards a free trade (see EDM, August 13). The Ukrainian volunteer battalions Azov and agreement just over one month ago, that will create jobs on both By contrast, a demilitarized zone in Shyrokyne would Donbas defended Shyrokyne throughout this period, sides of the Atlantic. prohibit all types of weapons and all military personnel; incurring severe casualties. Parts of Shyrokyne Canada has benefited greatly from the contributions of our it would be a purely local arrangement (potentially changed hands several times. Locally, the volunteer dynamic Ukrainian Canadian community, today numbering over repeatable elsewhere, but on a local basis only); and battalions forged close relations with civic, pro- 1.2 million people, in the building of a strong, proud and free it would be overseen by authorities of “both sides.” Ukraine groups in the city of Mariupol. Since late July, Canada. Shyrokyne, a fortified position defended by elite however, the volunteer battalions have been replaced Once again, I extend my best wishes to everyone in Canada Ukrainian troops, forms the principal obstacle to a by a regiment-size marine infantry (Marines) unit of and around the world celebrating Ukraine’s Independence Day. possible advance of Russian/DPR forces to the port the Ukrainian army. This switch reflects the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. That city represents a logistical and military’s recently adopted general policy to redeploy economic-industrial prize of first magnitude, a prime volunteer units to the rear and place only regular target of Russian/DPR forces in this war. The capture troops along the frontlines. U.S. secretary of state of Mariupol could render the DPR more sustainable. Two Ukrainian Marines were reported killed in Apart from its intrinsic value, Mariupol forms the Shyrokyne on August 10-11, by DPR forces offers congratulations entrance to the transport route that Russia seeks to (Ukrayinska Pravda, UNIAN, August 12). Their gunfire open along the Ukrainian coast of the Azov Sea, from attacks seemed coordinated with the DPR’s attempt to to Ukraine’s people Russia’s border in the Rostov Oblast to the Russian- capture Starohnativka, a position that defends annexed Crimea. The overwhelmingly Russian-speaking Mariupol from the north. Clearly, there can be no sub- The following press statement “On the Occasion of Ukraine’s Mariupol, however, has turned into a pro-Ukraine stitute for a Ukrainian military presence in Mariupol. National Day” by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was issued in stronghold, administered by loyalist elements from the And any Ukrainian decision to evacuate Shyrokyne Washington on August 21 by the Department of State. former Party of Regions (see EDM, September 8, 2014). under external political pressure could trigger an On behalf of President [Barack] Obama and the American peo- Shyrokyne is located 11 kilometers eastward of internal political backlash; which almost certainly fits ple, I offer my warmest congratulations to the Ukrainian people Mariupol’s city limit. Russian/”DPR” forces took up into Moscow’s calculations. as you mark the anniversary of your independence on August 24. positions in Sakhanka, seven kilometers northeastward The United States has been a steadfast partner and friend of of Shyrokyne, and even on the eastern side of The article above is reprinted from Eurasia Daily Ukraine since your Parliament approved the Act of Independence Shyrokyne, in the wake of the Minsk II armistice Monitor with permission from its publisher, the on this date in 1991. For two dozen years, we have supported the (February 2015). The Russian border is situated Jamestown Foundation, www.jamestown.org. efforts of your citizens to build a strong, stable, and democratic country. Despite huge challenges, you have made remarkable strides toward this goal. You have stood up to a despotic regime, a Quotable notes corrupt bureaucracy and an aggressive neighbor – all in the name of a free, democratic and prosperous future. “For Nadiya Savchenko, Oleh Sentsov, Oleksandr Kolchenko and other Ukrainian hostages, more than Your resilience has won you friends and admirers the world one year has passed in Russian custody. Russia has chosen to ignore its commitments under the Minsk over, including the United States. America is particularly sup- agreements, which calls for the release of all hostages and illegally detained persons. We call on the portive of Ukraine’s firm commitment to internal reform. During Russian Federation to honor its international commitments and release, without delay, all hostages and my most recent visit to Kyiv in February, President [Petro] illegally detained Ukrainian citizens. Poroshenko, Prime Minister [Arseniy] Yatsenyuk and Foreign “Russia’s decision to move the trial of Verkhovna Rada member Nadiya Savchenko from Moscow to Rostov, Minister [Pavlo] Klimkin highlighted the efforts underway to which has limited access by Moscow-based media outlets and diplomatic missions, did nothing to build confi- root out corruption, reform the judicial and energy sectors, fix dence in the fairness of these proceedings. …Ms. Savchenko should not be on trial at all. She is being held in Ukraine’s financial system, and improve the business climate. Russia after having been seized in Ukraine by Russian-backed separatists and spirited across the border. … I am confident that the friendship between our two countries “We are likewise deeply concerned by Oleh Sentsov’s testimony during his trial on August 6 detailing the treat- will continue to grow. Together, we will uphold the right of your ment he received in FSB custody, including alleged beatings, strangulation and suffocation with plastic bags. ... citizens to choose your own path, free from external coercion. “This morning there were reports that the Russian prosecutor has asked for 23 years for Oleh Sentsov Together, we will seek an end to conflict and bloodshed through and 10 years for Oleksandr Kolchenko. Instead, they should be released immediately.” full implementation of the Minsk Protocols. And together, we – Ambassador Daniel B. Baer in a statement delivered on August 19 in Vienna to the Special Permanent will ensure that Ukraine is free to continue the important work Council of the Organization or Security and Cooperation in Europe. of strengthening its political, economic and cultural institutions. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 No. 35 No. 35 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 5

Mark Lonkevych At the announcement of the Miss Soyuzivka contest winner (from left) are: Ukrainian National Association Marianne Hawryluk Treasurer Roma Lisovich, UNA First Vice-President Michael Koziupa, Miss Soyuzivka 2016 Ariana Babczenko, Miss Soyuzivka 2015 Solomia Pylypiw. runner-up Viktoriya Mazur and Soyuzivka Assistant Manager Stefko Drabyk. Ariana Babczenko crowned Miss Soyuzivka 2016

by Bohdana Puzyk KERHONKSON, N.Y. – On Saturday, August 15, Soyuzivka celebrated a tradition that has been taking place for 59 years: the Miss Soyuzivka contest. Miss Soyuzivka for 2016 is Ariana Babczenko, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Konstantyn Babczenko of Naperville, Ill. Ms. Babczenko was born in Chicago in 1995. She is currently a junior at New York University majoring in economics. She will be studying in Paris for her semester abroad this fall. Ms. Babczenko is an active member of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization and the Syzokryli Dance Ensemble. She is a scout counselor in Plast’s New York branch. During her summers, she has been a counselor of the Roma Pryma Bohachevsky Dance Camp at the Soyuzivka Heritage Center. In her free time, she enjoys playing the violin and piano. The runner-up for 2016 is Viktoriya Mazur, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dmitro Mazur of Kerhonkson, N.Y. Miss Mazur was born in the Lviv region of Ukraine in 1998 and immi- grated to America 10 years ago. She will be getting her U.S.

Mark Lonkevych Miss Soyuzivka 2016 Ariana Babczenko dances with Mark Lonkevych Ukrainian National Association First Vice-President Runner-up Viktoriya Mazur with Soyuzivka Assistant Michael Koziupa. Manager Stefko Drabyk. citizenship at the end of August. Ms. Mazur is a student at celebrations and events at the heritage center. Ulster Community College. “It is important for us, as a community, to support She enjoys spending her time practicing Ukraine dance Soyuzivka,” Ms. Pylypiw said. “This is a place where our and playing tennis; her hobbies include photography and hromada from near and far can gather and meet. We must art. Ms. Mazur has worked at Soyuzivka for the past three preserve Soyuzivka for our youth.” years, being an invaluable asset in helping working stu- She added that she wished Miss Soyuzivka 2016 much dents from Ukraine acclimate to the American way. success and urged that her to work actively in promoting The evening’s program was opened with remarks by Soyuzivka. Roma Lisovich, treasurer of the Ukrainian National The judges of the Miss Soyuzivka contest this year were Association, who welcomed all the guests in attendance. Anya Tershakovec-Tomko, head of the Parents’ Committee After the names of Miss Soyuzivka and her runner-up of the Lesia Ukrainka School of Ukrainian Studies and were announced, the UNA’s first vice-president, Michael board member of the Ukrainian American Cultural Center Koziupa, escorted the newly crowned young lady to the of New Jersey, both based in Whippany, N.J.; Marianne dance floor for the traditional first dance. Music was pro- Hawryluk, Miss Soyuzivka 1992; and Andrij Wowk, board member of the Ukrainian Engineers’ Society of America. Mark Lonkevych vided by the Tempo orchestra. Miss Soyuzivka 2015, Solomia Pylypiw of Randolph, N.J., The 2015 Miss Soyuzivka contest was coordinated by Coordinator of the Miss Soyuzivka contest Stefanie Stephanie Hawryluk, a former advisor of the Ukrainian Hawryluk (left) with Ukrainian National Association expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Treasurer Roma Lisovich (center) and the evenings’ Soyuzivka’s representative. She noted that she had visited National Association. Marianne Hawryluk served as emcee emcee, Marianne Hawryluk. Soyuzivka often during the past year, taking part in various of the festivities.

Explore the archives of The Ukrainian Weekly and Svoboda online: www.ukrweekly.com • www.svoboda-news.com Our online archives Self Reliance New York Federal Credit Union Anonymous donor are made possible Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union Shevchenko Scientific Society U.S.A. by our generous SUMA (Yonkers) Federal Credit Union Bahriany Foundation sponsors: Heritage Foundation of 1st Security Federal Savings Bank and others 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 No. 35

WINDOW ON EURASIA The Ukrainian Weekly “A court of occupiers” Ukrainians united by patriotism In a clearly rigged trial, a Russian court in Rostov-on-Don on August 25 handed down a verdict and a sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment in the case of Oleh Sentsov, and hope, says sociologist 39, the Ukrainian filmmaker who was abducted by Russian security officers in by Paul Goble This trend, at a time of enormous eco- Symferopol, the capital of Crimea, back in May of last year and then miraculously nomic difficulties and war, Ms. Bekeshkina resurfaced in Russian custody in Moscow. He was convicted on trumped-up charges On Ukraine’s Independence Day 2015, says, is “connected with the fact that in of terrorism in a court proceeding reminiscent of Soviet times, complete with compared to the years before Vladimir Ukraine an active process of the formation repeated rounds of torture inflicted on the defendant and witnesses forced to give Putin’s Anschluss of Crimea and the of a political nation is taking place,” a pro- testimony under duress. Tried along with him was Oleksandr Kolchenko, 26, who Russian invasion of the Donbas, Ukrainians cess that means that “the absolute majority was sentenced to 10 years. The two men were accused of conspiracy to commit ter- are far more united by patriotism and by of the population… is beginning to feel itself rorism in Crimea. their hopes for the future, according to a single nation.” Condemnation of the verdict came swiftly from U.S. and European leaders. State Irina Bekeshkina, a sociologist at the Kyiv For most of the first decade of this cen- Department spokesperson John Kirby told the press: “This is clear a miscarriage of Institute of Sociology. tury, the sociologist says, Ukrainians told justice. Both Ukrainians were taken hostage on Ukrainian territory, transported to For more than a decade, she writes on pollsters that faith in a better future, dissat- and imprisoned in Russia, and had Russian citizenship imposed on them against the Novoye Vremya portal on August 24, isfaction with the authorities and common difficulties” defined what they had in com- their wills. …Mr. Sentsov and Mr. Kolchenko were targeted by authorities because of she and her fellow scholars at the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences have been mon. Patriotism as such was seldom men- their opposition to Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea.” U.S. Ambassador to carrying out surveys asking “one and the tioned. Now, that has changed, and patriot- Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt tweeted that the sentences are “shameful” and strongly con- same questions” so as to be in a position to ic feelings are “a significant unifying factor” demned what he called a “Russian farce of a ‘legal process.’ ” The European Union’s make longitudinal conclusions about with 42 percent mentioning them. foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said, “The EU considers the case to be in changes (nv.ua/opinion/bekeshkina/chto- Moreover, she notes, this is an indication breach of international law and elementary standards of justice,” and called on obedinjaet-ukraintsev-65425.html). of the formation of a political nation Russian authorities to “immediately release” the two men and guarantee their safe For the entire period from 2005 to 2013, because neither language, nor ethnicity nor return to Ukraine. she says, responses to the question “What religion is considered by the public “as Amnesty International went further, likening the proceedings to the Soviet “trials” feelings arise for you when you think about defining factors of the unification of peo- of the Stalin-era and calling it “fatally flawed.” Heather McGill, the organization’s the future of Ukraine?” remained relatively ple.” Further evidence of this is that 52 per- Eurasia researcher, stated unequivocally: “The whole trial was designed to send a constant: 32 percent felt hope, 14 percent cent of Ukrainians now include within the message. It played into Russia’s propaganda war against Ukraine and was redolent experienced optimism, 18 percent felt a term “we” citizens of Ukraine and not just of Stalinist-era show trials of dissidents.” More worrying were the words of Moscow sense of hopelessness, and 22 percent cited friends and family. journalist Natalya Kaplan, who is a cousin of Mr. Sentsov. She warned: “I think this fear. Thus, “the community ‘citizens of trial is the beginning of serious repression in Russia. Current repressions are mild, But between 2013 and 2014-2015, Ms. Ukraine’ is now for people no less important but if they started talking about such long prison terms in Sentsov’s case, the worst Bekeshkina says, “essential changes took than their relatives and friends.” In other is ahead.” place,” and Ukrainians responded to the words, Ms. Bekeshkina says, “’the feeling of ‘a In fact, the Sentsov case is the second high-profile case in which Soviet-style “jus- war, the annexation of Crimea, the occupa- single family’ is being formed among the tice” and Soviet-era sentences were handed down by a court in Russia. Earlier, on tion of part of their territory and the con- people.” And polls show now 72 percent of August 19, an officer of Estonia’s Internal Security Service, Eston Kohver, was sen- stant threat of attack by a foreign enemy by the country’s residents would vote for tenced by a court in Pskov, Russia, to 15 years of hard labor on charges of espionage. becoming more optimistic and patriotic independence, up from 56 percent in 2013. He, too, had been kidnapped by the Russian agents, taken from Estonian territory to than ever before. Only 8 percent would now vote against. Russia, and accused of spying, arms smuggling and violating border regulations. In 2014, those expressing a sense of In 1991, 88 percent voted for indepen- Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves said the case “recalled the kind of behavior hopelessness fell by half from 18 percent to dence, while 12 percent voted against, she we noticed on our borders before World War II,” when Soviet troops killed three 9 percent, those feeling optimistic about says. “But then such voting was to a Latvian border guards before the Soviet Union invaded. As we noted in our post on Ukraine’s future rose from 14 percent to remarkable degree the result of illusions our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TheUkrainianWeekly), the results 23.5 percent, and those feeling hope rose and hopes for a happy life in the near of the Kohver trials did not bode well for other hostages held by Russia. from 32 percent to 49 percent, even though future. Now, there are no illusions: there is And then there is Nadiya Savchenko, the courageous pilot-turned-national deputy those expressing concern rose as well, from war, losses and deprivations.” Yet there is of Ukraine, about whose case we’ve written in this space before. The most recent 31 percent to 44.5 percent. The share of almost the same result, reflecting the rise of development in her case – a Russian court’s rejection of a defense motion to move those expressing fear did not change. “a strong undefeatable nation.” her trial to Moscow from a small town on the border with Russia – is an indication of her coming conviction, according to her lawyer, Mark Feygin. Unbowed by his mistreatment at the hands of his Russian captors, Mr. Sentsov delivered a powerful closing statement to the court in which he said Russia is a Ivan Drach: Today’s events in Ukraine country “governed by criminals,” that many in Russia “find some sort of rationaliza- tion” to not speak out against the regime’s lies, that cowardice is “the greatest sin.” This, too, was reminiscent of Soviet times, but more precisely of the brave Soviet dis- logically play out what happened in 1991 sidents who stood up to the regime come what may, as Prof. Alexander Motyl point- by Paul Goble Ukraine’s intellectuals at the end of the ed out this week on his widely read blog. 1980s “were infected by events which “A court of occupiers by definition cannot be just,” Mr. Sentsov asserted in his final Today, on the 24th anniversary of began in Europe,” Mr. Drach says. “At that statement. That, too was the case during Soviet times. If the cases of these Russian Ukrainian independence, Ivan Drach, the time, the Berlin Wall fell and Solidarity was hostages and political prisoners prove nothing else, it is that in Vladimir Putin’s poet who headed the Rukh organization born in Poland, and there appeared the Russia, the USSR is back. from 1989 to 1992, says that what is hap- vibrant popular movements in Estonia pening in Ukraine now, including the inten- [and] Latvia. We were in contact with all sification of patriotic feelings, is not some- these movements, and the idea arose that thing unexpected but rather a logical play- we should establish something similar.” ing out of what happened in 1991. Initially, he says, people thought about Sept. Turning the pages back... In an interview with Elena Rostikova of holding a plenum of the various creative Novy Region-2, Mr. Drach says one of the unions, like those of cinematographers, most serious problems of the Ukrainian Thirty-two years ago, on September 1, 1983, the Soviet Union writers and artists, and then proclaim the national movement was that it was domi- downed a South Korean jetliner (Flight KAL 007) over Soviet air- founding of a Popular Rukh. “But the boss- 1 nated by intellectuals rather than practical es, the KGB and the Central Committee of space while it was en route to Seoul. The Ukrainian National people (nr2.com.ua/interview/Ivan-Drach- Association Executive Committee issued a telegram to the presi- the Communist Party were keeping track of 1983 Kommunisty-progolosovali-za- dent of the United States. all this and didn’t give us the chance.” nezavisimost-Ukrainy-iz-za-Elcina-104354. The telegram text stated: “Mr. President: We are shocked by Mr. Drach says that he met frequently html). the loss of 269 lives caused by Soviet Russian downing of the Korean Airline plane. We with Leonid Kravchuk, the head of the grieve for the loss of Congressman Larry McDonald. We urge you to use the power of your Central Committee’s agitation and propa- office to put a stop to the Soviet violations of international rules of behavior.” Paul Goble is a long-time specialist on ganda department, and eventually Mr. On September 5, President Ronald Reagan stated: “They [the Soviets] owe the world an ethnic and religious questions in Eurasia Kravchuk agreed to have a meeting so that apology and an offer to join the rest of the world in working out a system to protect who has served in various capacities in the the party could control it. But his attacks on against this ever happening again.” U.S. State Department, the Central the idea of the Rukh at that session, pre- President Reagan suggested punitive measures in response including suspension of Intelligence Agency and the International cisely because they were televised, had negotiations to renew cultural and scientific exchanges, to establish consulates in Kyiv and Broadcasting Bureau, as well as at the Voice exactly the opposite effect he intended. New York, and to reach a civilian transportation agreement. Mr. Reagan also noted that the of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Indeed, the Ukrainian poet-politician jetliner was shot down by a missile-firing Soviet interceptor. Liberty and the Carnegie Endowment for says, “it would have been difficult for [those Efforts would be made, he said, to persuade the International Civil Aviation International Peace. Mr. Goble writes a blog who wanted a popular front in Ukraine] to Organization to investigate the Soviet action and reaffirm previous American denial of called “Window on Eurasia” (http://windo- think up a better advertisement” for what woneurasia2.blogspot.com/). The article (Continued on page 15) above is reprinted with permission. (Continued on page 12) No. 35 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 7 FOR THE RECORD: UCC message PERSPECTIVES on Ukraine’s Independence Day The following message on Ukraine’s more subjugate Ukraine to Russia’s tyran- by Andrew Fedynsky Independence Day was released by the ny. The people of Ukraine are bravely Ukrainian Canadian Congress on August 24. resisting this invasion, defending their homes, their country and their freedom. Dear Friends! United in common purpose, with God’s The Ukrainian Canadian Congress, its help, they will be victorious. member organizations, provincial councils Why Europe? As we celebrate Ukraine’s independence, and local branches extend warm greetings we pause to pay tribute to all those who Historian Timothy Snyder, arguably (pp. 83- 84) about Mykola Khvyliovy, pre- to the Ukrainian Canadian community and have given their lives so that Ukraine may be today’s foremost expert on Ukraine, has a dictably vilifying him. That single sheet had all those celebrating the 24th anniversary free, and to all those who today must take up fascinating article in the July 21 issue of the very carefully been razor-bladed out and of Ukraine’s independence. arms to defend and preserve that freedom. New York Review of Books, “Edge of another one pasted in its place – presum- Through the centuries, the people of Today, let us remain united in our efforts Europe, End of Europe,” where, among sev- ably 15,000 times for the total number of Ukraine struggled and fought for their lib- to support the people of Ukraine in their eral others, he cites 1920s Ukrainian author, copies published. I don’t know what the erty and independence. Generations of battle to protect their country. Let us con- critic and cultural leader Mykola Khvyliovy original page said, I only know that after the Ukrainians endured and resisted years of tinue to draw inspiration from their coura- and his relevance to today’s events. book had been already been printed some- oppression and foreign occupation, united geous struggle. Let us remember that jus- I first heard about Khvyliovy in Prof. one decided it had to be revised. That in an unwavering determination to see tice, democracy and liberty will triumph Gregory Golembiowsky’s class in the early speaks to the power of Khvyliovy’s message freedom return to their homeland. On over cruelty, despotism and imperialism. 1960s at “Ridna Shkola” Saturday School in – one Soviet authorities could not ignore or August 24, 1991, that dream was realized. And let us pray that peace will soon return Cleveland. World War II was still a recent let go unanswered. Taking orders from Today, as we celebrate the 24th anniver- to Ukraine. memory; so was the Holodomor. Ukraine Moscow as they did, they just weren’t sure sary of that great day, Ukraine’s indepen- then seemed a hopeless cause, politically what to say. Moscow is still flummoxed. dence, territorial integrity and freedom are and nationally. The country’s borders were For centuries, official Russia has had a again under threat from a foreign invader. With respect and best wishes, Слава Україні! Героям Слава! sealed, the population utterly cowed, problem accepting its “Little Russian broth- The Russian Federation wages a war of Ukrainian Canadian Congress Russification was rampant, prospects for ers” as a separate nation. Ukrainians differ on aggression against Ukraine, seeking to once Paul Grod, President liberation were zero. Yet here was Prof. that. It’s not just geography, it’s a matter of Golembiowsky – a true scholar who mindset. No one said it better than Russian worked on the line at Ford Motors during literary giant Lev Tolstoy (1828-1910), the week to support his family – sacrificing reflecting on the legacy of ancient Rus’: On Ukraine’s Independence Day his Saturdays to teach immigrant kids like “One Rus’ has its roots in universal or at me, believing it would make a difference least European culture. In this Rus’, the someday. And for him, Ukraine’s destiny ideas of goodness, honor and freedom are John R. Kasich was linked to Khvyliovy’s philosophy. understood as in the West. But there is Born and raised in the Kharkiv Gubernia another Rus’: the Rus’ of the dark forests, Ohio Gov. John R. Kasich, who is seeking the Ukraine, the United States must do every- of eastern Ukraine, Khvyliovy was 25 in the Rus’ of the taiga, the animal Russia, the Republican Party’s nomination for president, thing in its power to provide Ukraine with 1919 when he joined the Bolshevik branch fanatic Russia, the Mongol-Tatar Russia. congratulated the people of Ukraine as they the means to defend itself. Congress gave of the Ukrainian Communist Party in the This last Russia made despotism and fanat- celebrate their 24th Independence Day. The the president the authority help arm midst of the war that would determine the icism its ideal… Kyiv Rus’ was a part of text below was released on August 23 by the Ukraine – by large bipartisan majorities – fate of Ukraine and the world for the next Europe, Moscow long remained the nega- Kasich for America campaign. (Separately, the but its requests to the U.S. for help have three generations. Like millions of others tion of Europe.” governor and his lieutenant governor, Mary been denied. The Obama administration around the globe, he believed Marxism was And indeed, from the 10th to mid-13th Taylor, released the State of Ohio proclama- has even gone a step further and prohibited the ideal social-economic framework, even centuries, when Moscow was but a village, tion of Ukrainian Independence Day.) the sale of the defensive weapons systems as he promoted Ukrainian national aspira- Kyiv was a commercial crossroad between Ukraine urgently needs. tions, which were burning white-hot in the Europe, Byzantium and Islam exercising I congratulate the people of Ukraine, the This must stop and we must help wake of the post-World War I revolutions political sway and cultural-religious influ- 1 million Americans of Ukrainian heritage Ukraine protect its independence. That convulsing the former Russian Empire. ence from the Black Sea to the Baltic. In the and your friends and supporters around means providing the anti-tank, anti-aircraft Building on the legacy of Shevchenko, 17th and 18th centuries, Kyiv was a center the world on 24 years of independence for and intelligence surveillance and recon- Franko, Ukrainka and others, Khvyliovy of learning with ties to the West. But that Ukraine. Ukraine has come so far in a short naissance systems it needs. inspired and led a literary/cultural move- was all centuries ago. Today, Moscow is a time, and I share the pride I know you feel. The hostilities must end and all parties ment which we remember as the “Ukrainian world power and Ukraine, as it has perenni- Strong U.S. support for Ukraine is criti- must do what they have promised. The resto- Renaissance.” His philosophy was summa- ally, struggles to escape Russia’s dominance. cally important, especially as we see the ration of Crimea and Donbas to their rightful rized in three slogans: “Toward Europe,” In the last 25 years, Ukraine has had country that feels “threatened” by a strong, places as part of Ukraine must be negotiated “Away from Moscow” and “Educate the three revolutions – the most recent trig- Western-looking Ukraine trying to under- in a way that’s acceptable to all parties. I Proletariat.” It electrified the cultural class. gered in November 2013 when corrupt mine it – by proxies and even direct inter- reject any attempt to resolve the conflict Literature, art, theater, cinema, radio flour- President Viktor Yanukovych rejected an vention. That is unacceptable. The repeated bilaterally or multilaterally without the full ished in the 1920s. Ukrainians exhibited in Association Agreement with the European violations of the Minsk ceasefire protocols participation of the Ukrainian government. Berlin, Paris and Rome, even winning inter- Union and, under pressure from Vladimir must stop, efforts to erode the indepen- The Ukrainian independence we cele- national awards. Ukrainian radio often Putin, opted to align his country with dence and territorial integrity of Ukraine brate today is an important fact, and the scooped Moscow with genuine news. By the Russia. You know the consequences. must stop, and Crimea and Donbas must be United States has a moral obligation to help end of the ‘20s, 85 percent of newspapers The Revolution of Dignity was 20 months returned to Ukraine. protect it. Congratulations on your free- and 80 percent of books published in Ukraine ago; the Orange Revolution 10 years ago In response to these challenges to dom, Ukraine – may there be a thousand were in the Ukrainian language. That’s when and independence not even 25 years ago – a Ukraine’s independence, and the fact that more days just like this one. Slava Ukrayini! Joseph Stalin unleashed the full force of the lot of history for one generation to generate Russia continues to arm forces hostile to Heroyam Slava! Soviet state against Khvyliovy and his move- and absorb. And it’s been all about Europe – ment. Thousands of cultural workers were an orientation Ukrainians embrace and arrested, tortured and then either executed Russia rejects like a vampire would holy or exiled to Siberia for a slower death. water… only not really. Russia’s ruling class Scott Walker Khvyliovy as the leader was brutally chal- parks its assets in Western banks, sends its In recognition of the 24th anniversary of Russian aggression and a lack of leadership lenged to repudiate the Ukrainianization children to Western schools, vacations on Ukraine’s independence, Gov. Scott Walker, under the Obama-Clinton foreign policy, policy. He answered with a dramatic sui- the Riviera and in Switzerland, shops in who is seeking the Republican Party’s nomi- Ukraine’s future remains unclear. Last cide in May 1933, even as millions in the Milan, and owns apartments in London and Manhattan. But that’s where they draw the nation for president, released the following week, Russian-backed separatists shelled surrounding countryside were starving. line. Europe is for the ruling class; Russia is statement. It was posted by his campaign, civilians in eastern Ukraine, and rebel lead- For the next half century, Soviet Ukrainian for everyone else, including Ukrainians, Walker16. ers declared they were preparing for a full- culture went into a defensive crouch. And whether they like it or not. fledged war. As I said during the first yet Khvyliovy’s message, silenced as it was, Well, it should surprise no one that After 24 years of independence, I want debate earlier this month, America must remained potent. Beleaguered dissidents, Ukrainians reject Russian rule. It’s been to pledge unwavering support for an inde- provide Ukraine with the lethal military harassed and oppressed by the KGB, associated with an unending series of catas- pendent, sovereign and democratic assistance needed to defend itself against looked to the West as a beacon. trophes – serfdom, Russification, famine, Ukraine. Unfortunately, after unchecked Vladimir Putin’s power grab in the region. For the Soviets (and now for Russia) censorship was an essential tool which wars, slave labor, censorship, nuclear melt- could take some curious turns. Consider down, you name it – which is why Ukrainians “Soviet Ukrainian Literature,” a standard have gone to the Maidan to peacefully dem- Opinions in The Ukrainian Weekly textbook published in 1979 by the Higher onstrate and are now engaged in an actual war for Europe. And, as Dr. Snyder points out, Opinions expressed by columnists, commentators and Education Publishing House in Kyiv about Soviet authors, poets and playwrights, there’s a lot at stake, not only for Ukraine but letter-writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the many of whom created memorable works, for Europe itself. opinions of either The Weekly editorial staff or its publisher, but within the boundaries set by censors the Ukrainian National Association. who answered to the very same KGB. What Andrew Fedynsky’s e-mail address is makes the book so curious is a single sheet [email protected]. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 No. 35 Sentsov’s defiant closing statement: ‘the greatest sin is cowardice’ [Mikhail] Bulgakov in his novel The Master is never wrong. There are enemies every- something.” But, guys, what is the point of RFE/RL And Margarita. And I agree with him. where. This is very good propaganda. raising another generation of slaves? Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov stood Cowardice is the main and the worst sin But I also understand that there are But besides all these people, there is yet before a Russian court in Rostov-on-Don on on Earth. Betrayal is a personal form of people who are smarter – such as you, for another part of the Russian population that August 19 to offer a defiant closing state- cowardice. instance, here – who support the govern- knows perfectly well what is going on. That ment in his trial with a co-defendant for ​A big betrayal sometimes begins with a ment. You perfectly well understand that does not believe in the tales of your agit- alleged conspiracy to commit terrorism in small act of cowardice. Like when they put there are no fascists in Ukraine. That prop. That understands what is happening forcibly annexed Crimea in 2014. a bag over your head and beat you, and Crimea was annexed illegally. That your in the world – what horrible crimes your In his remarks, he challenged the legiti- after half an hour you are ready to troops are fighting in Donbas. Even I – sit- leadership is committing. But these people macy of an occupied Crimea “governed by renounce all your convictions and accuse ting here in prison – know that your are afraid of something. They think that criminals” and he spurned a path of “cow- yourself of anything, to accuse others, just troops are fighting in Donbas. Our jails are nothing can be changed. That everything ardice” that might accommodate or excuse so they will stop beating you. I don’t know full of fighters who are sent there – like will continue as it is. That the system can- Moscow’s actions in Ukraine. what your convictions are worth if you heroes – on your tanks, with your weap- not be broken. That they are alone. That The prosecutors earlier in the day asked aren’t ready to suffer for them or even to ons. They are fighting there, thinking that there are few of us. That we will all be for a 23-year jail sentence for Mr. Sentsov die. you are waiting for them. [But] they will thrown into prison. That they will kill us, for allegedly organizing a terrorist group, I am very glad that Gena [Hennadiy] return, bringing back their weapons, and destroy us. And they sit quietly as mice in planning terrorist attacks, and illegally Afanasyev [a witness for the prosecution they will be met at the border and thrown their holes. acquiring explosives in early 2014, when who renounced in prison. And We also had a criminal regime, but we Russia controlled the peninsula and helped his original tes- “A court of occupiers by they will be came out against it. They didn’t want to lis- orchestrate a hasty Crimean referendum on timony against surprised: ten to us – we beat on trash cans. They independence from the rest of Ukraine. Mr. Sentsov and definition cannot be just.” “How can this didn’t want to see us – we set tires on fire. The following is a translation, by Robert said it had been be? After all, we In the end, we won. The same thing will Coalson, of Sentsov’s defense, in which he given under torture] was able to overcome were feted as heroes for going…” They happen with you, sooner or later. I don’t stressed that “everyone understands that... a his fear. He lost himself, but in the end he don’t understand that that train only goes know what form it will take and I don’t court of occupiers by definition cannot be understood that there was still a chance. in one direction. Even here in prison they wish to see anyone suffer. I simply wish for just.” It includes a brief exchange when the And he took a courageous and righteous know that. you to no longer be governed by criminals. trial judge cuts off Mr. Sentsov, saying that step. I was very surprised by this and I am Here, in prison, I met with a GRU the defendant “does not have the right to glad for him. [Russian military intelligence] officer, your Judge: That is not within the scope of talk about just anything.” It isn’t even that it would cause a major officer, or, rather soldier, who is being tried this proceeding. We are discussing specific questions. According to the law, you do not * * * scandal or create a problem and we would for another crime. He participated in the Sentsov: I actually still hope this will be acquitted. No, that couldn’t happen. I annexation of Crimea. On March 24 [2014], have the right to talk about just anything. not be my last word. Like [fellow defen- am glad for him because he will be able to they arrived by ship in Sevastopol and Sentsov: I am finishing now, your dant Oleksandr Kolchenko], I am not going live the rest of his life and know that he is a blockaded Ukrainian military units. As it honor! to ask for anything from you – to expect human being who did not give in to fear turned out, he was blockading the very unit consideration here, well, everyone under- even though they continue to threaten that I was supplying and evacuating. It is an Judge: I am not interrupting you, but... stands that. ...A court of occupiers by defi- him, to pressure him, to kick him, to interesting thing. He participated, his bri- Sentsov: I understood that you are not nition cannot be just. Don’t take it person- threaten him. But he already stepped in gade participated, in the Battle of Ilovaysk, interrupting me. In short, all I can do is ally, your honor! that direction, made a proper step, and which was destroyed by Russian soldiers. wish that this third, informed portion of I would like to speak about something you can’t make him go back. I am very glad These are facts that are on the surface. If the Russian population will learn how not else. There was a man named Pontius for him. you don’t hide yourself from them, you can to be afraid. Pilate. After he had sat on the moon for I have already spent one year in your see them. There, for example, stand the many years, he thought about what he had wonderful country and I have watched troubadours of your regime, and they are Copyright 2015, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted done. Then, when he was forgiven, he your television. The [news] programs not stupid fellows. They know everything with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ walked along a moonbeam and said to “Vesti” and “Vremya” are very good shows. as it is, but they continue to lie. Just as you Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Ha-Notsri (Hebrew name for Jesus of All of your propaganda is working excel- continue your work, finding some sort of Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see Nazareth): “You know, you were right. The lently. Most of the Russian population rationalization within yourself. Probably, http://www.rferl.org/content/crimean- greatest sin on Earth is cowardice.” This believes what they are saying: Putin is they also rationalize to themselves: “We director-sentsov-trial-transcript-russian- was written by the great Russian writer great. There are fascists in Ukraine. Russia have to feed our children; we have to do court-terror-charges/27197814.html).

Russian court... (Continued from page 1) U.S. condemns sentencing EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini called on of Sentsov and Kolchenko Russian authorities to “immediately release” the two men and to guarantee their safe return to Ukraine. “The EU con- WASHINGTON – The United States on August 25 siders the case to be in breach of international law and ele- condemned the sentencing that day of two mentary standards of justice,” she said. Ukrainian activists by a Russian court in Rostov-on- Heather McGill, Eurasia researcher at Amnesty Don, calling it a “clear miscarriage of justice.” International, said in a statement after the sentencing that State Department spokesperson John Kirby “this whole trial was designed to send a message. It played issued the following statement to the press. into Russia’s propaganda war against Ukraine and was red- “The United States strongly condemns today’s sen- olent of Stalinist-era show trials of dissidents.” Anton Namulyuk (RFE/RL) tencing in a Russian military court of acclaimed Ms. McGill described the trial as “fatally flawed” and Oleh Sentsov (left) and Oleksandr Kolchenko in court Ukrainian director Oleh Sentsov and activist noted that allegations of torture and other ill-treatment in Rostov-on Don, Russia. Oleksandr Kolchenko to 20 and 10 years, respective- alleged by Mr. Sentsov and a main witness were ignored by ly, on groundless allegations of plotting terrorist the court. cutions. “We are shocked that the accusation of Oleh attacks and other subversive activities in Russian- “Any testimony gained through torture and other ill- Sentsov having committed ‘crimes of a terrorist nature’ is occupied Crimea. treatment must be thrown out, the ‘terrorism’ charges still being upheld,” the letter, addressed to Russian “This is clear miscarriage of justice. Both must be withdrawn, and Oleh Sentsov and Oleksandr President Vladimir Putin, said. Ukrainians were taken hostage on Ukrainian territory, Kolchenko should either be released or face a fair trial in a Ahead of the court verdict, Mr. Sentsov’s cousin, transported to and imprisoned in Russia, and had civilian court,” Ms. McGill said. Moscow-based journalist Natalya Kaplan, said a lengthy Russian citizenship imposed on them against their Under international law, Russia as the occupying power sentence would be a bad omen. wills. They have reported abuses by Russian authorities in Crimea is required to prosecute any defendants in civil- “The prosecutors failed to provide any solid proof of the who also restricted their access to lawyers, family, and ian courts under Ukrainian law, according to the Amnesty defendants’ guilt,” Ms. Kaplan told RFE/RL’s Russian others while in jail for more than a year. Mr. Sentsov and International statement. Service on August 24. “I think this trial is the beginning of Mr. Kolchenko were targeted by authorities because of Messrs. Sentsov and Kolchenko were arrested along serious repression in Russia. Current repressions are mild, their opposition to Russia’s attempted annexation of with two other Ukrainian citizens – Oleksiy Chyrniy and but if they started talking about such long prison terms in Crimea. Hennadiy Afanasyev – in May 2014. Sentsov’s case, the worst is ahead.” “The United States stands by those who are perse- Earlier, Messrs. Chyrniy and Afanasyev had been found cuted for exercising their rights to speak freely and guilty of involvement in a terrorist cell and sentenced to With reporting by TASS. engage in peaceful protest. We again call upon the seven years each in prison. Copyright 2015, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted with the permis- Russian Federation to implement the commitments it The latest appeal by the European Film Academy on sion of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut made in signing the Minsk agreements by immediate- August 19 included the signatures of 15 filmmakers, Ave. NW, Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see http:// ly releasing Oleh Sentsov, Oleksandr Kolchenko, including Britain’s Ken Loach and Germany’s Wim www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-filmmaker-terrorism-trial- Nadiya Savchenko and all other remaining hostages.” Wenders, saying they were “deeply worried” by the prose- verdict-sentsov/27207681.html). No. 35 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 9

SUAFCU Participants of the meeting with Save Ukraine Now founder and president Dr. Gary Kellner. Selfreliance UAFCU in Chicago hosts leaders of Save Ukraine Now

by Dora Turula CHICAO – Representatives of the U..S- based humanitarian aid organization Save Ukraine Now (SUN) met on August 6 with Chicago’s Ukrainian religious and communi- ty leaders at Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union. Participants were informed of SUN’s activities to date and future plans. Walter Tun, SUAFCU marketing and PR manager, provided background information and introduced the event’s main speaker, SUN founder and president, Dr. Gary Kellner. Dr. Kellner introduced the key members of his team: Executive Director Sergey Shakhov, Director of External Affairs Lenny Barda and Logistics Director David Brennan, who has, to date, facilitated the shipment of 17 containers of humanitarian Michael R. Kos, chairman of the board of the Selfreliance Ukrainian American Dr. Gary Kellner explains the work of assistance to Ukraine. Federal Credit Union, poses a question to the speaker. Save Ukraine Now. Dr. Kellner began the conversation by ment, NGOs and religious communities Save Ukraine Now recently was asked to to make certain that the humanitarian telling of his first visit to Ukraine in 1999 as that will save lives now, but also provides a spearhead a fund-raiser in Detroit. Dr. assistance was directed to those places a missionary, when he realized that the var- framework to help Ukraine rebuild and Kellner referred to the organizers as the where it was most needed. He is working ious religious confessions needed to coor- become a prosperous and stable democrat- “Babushka Brigade.” Many of these individ- closely with the leadership of the Ukrainian dinate and communicate with each other, ic state. In providing humanitarian aid, SUN uals were experienced in collecting aid for Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate, and develop their leadership. The All- works through a distribution network of orphans and other distressed groups. spearheaded by Patriarch Filaret. Ukrainian Council of Churches and 12,000 to 15,000 local congregations. Similar organizations throughout the U.S. In conclusion, Dr. Kellner thanked Religious Organizations has been in exis- SUN’s current push is through a project have reached out to Save Ukraine Now to Selfreliance UAFCU for hosting this event. tence since 1996; according to Dr. Kellner, titled the “Ukraine Survival Campaign,” in provide funding to send containers of pro- (Photos of this event are available on the Ukraine is one of the most diverse and cer- which local churches and community orga- visions to aid the refugees. credit union’s website, www.selfreliance. tainly the most religiously tolerant society nizations in the United States are filling In response to a question, Dr. Kellner com, in Community Photos, as well as on of all the former USSR republics. At the containers with the necessities of life, that explained the distribution network in SUAFCU’s Facebook page.) behest of the various congregations, the are then shipped to Ukraine for distribu- Ukraine and assured the audience that a International Center for Christian tion through the local congregations. system of checks and balances was in place Solomiya Saldan contributed to this report. Leadership was founded, to provide leader- ship training and development. When asked why he has become so deeply involved with Ukraine, Dr. Kellner explains his long association by referring to UCCA calls for volunteers to serve as international election observers Ukraine as “not a country that you visit, but a mountain that falls on you.” UCCA Given the decentralization reforms hostile environments. Official CEC accred- When Dr. Kellner returned to Ukraine fol- being currently debated in the Verkhovna itation will be provided and coordinated NEW YORK – The Ukrainian Congress Rada and the complications expected through the UCCA, which will also orga- lowing the beginning of the Russian incur- Committee of America (UCCA), the largest from changes to the election law, the nize in-country travel and lodging, trans- sion into Ukraine, he became aware of the representation of Americans of Ukrainian UCCA will be deploying teams of interna- lators and guides, if necessary, as well as incredible humanitarian catastrophe result- descent, is currently registering appli- tional election observers to cities through- comprehensive information packets. ing from the migration of residents from cants for an upcoming election observa- out Ukraine to ensure free and fair elec- The UCCA’s EOM is composed of volun- Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk. People tion mission (EOM), which will travel to tions. The only Ukrainian American com- teers; registered international election throughout the world were willing to help, Ukraine for the country’s municipal elec- munity organization registered with observers are responsible for all costs but there was no coordinated mechanism for tions scheduled to take place on October Ukraine’s Central Election Commission related to their participation in the EOM, gathering the needed supplies, transporting 25. (CEC), the UCCA has organized EOMs for including, but not limited to, travel and them to Ukraine and expeditiously delivering Given the recent constitutional reforms every presidential and parliamentary accommodations. them to those who truly needed assistance. adopted by Ukraine’s Parliament, as well election in Ukraine in its 24 years of inde- For further information about the Save Ukraine Now was founded to as a newly enacted election law, the pendence, including Ukraine’s very first UCCA’s international election observer respond to the current humanitarian crisis upcoming elections in Ukraine represent democratic elections in 1991, as well as program, or to register, readers may visit in Ukraine. The conflict in Donetsk and an important step towards implementing the largest EOM ever registered by the UCCA’s website at www.ucca.org or Luhansk has affected 5 million people, with necessary reforms in Ukraine. However, Ukraine’s CEC, with over 2,400 observers contact the UCCA National Office by 1.2 million internally displaced persons some of these changes will dramatically in 2004. e-mail at [email protected] or by tele- (IDPs) within Ukraine. increase the time needed for local and During the election program, the UCCA phone at 212-228-6840. SUN works directly with the Office of the central election commissions to count the will conduct mandatory training briefings For more information about why President of Ukraine in providing essential votes, making the need for international for its observers on how best to serve as Ukraine’s fall elections matter, see an arti- items including food, medical supplies and election observers more important than international election monitors, including cle posted by the Atlantic Council at winter clothing. It has created a unique ever, UCCA organizers noted. a special seminar addressing possible http://bit.ly/1PxXLfY. paradigm of cooperation among govern- 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 No. 35

against Kyiv, or the opposite, calls for an Ukraine celebrates... immediate victory march towards Moscow. Striving to undermine approved amend- (Continued from page 1) ments to the Constitution, or to bury the Moreover, Russia has moved beyond last Minsk accords, including the demand to year’s plans for a military victory towards denounce them,” the president said, refer- politically undermining Ukraine, he noted. ring to the radicals’ calls. “The enemy knows that we’re ready to Other commemorative events retaliate and the cost of escalation will be too high for Russia,” the president said in The Independence Day commemora- his address on Independence Square. tions began on August 22 with the presi- “That’s why it has an alternate strategy of dent’s visit to Chuhuyiv, where he said he shaking up the situation inside our country dispatched the largest supply of military and to cause Ukraine to conflict with its key equipment in Ukraine’s history to the sepa- partners, leaving it on its own with the ration line, including tanks, armored per- aggressor.” sonnel carriers, howitzers and artillery. Indeed, Ukraine is plagued by problems Also at Chuhuyiv, Mr. Poroshenko that have been caused or exacerbated by launched a campaign that renews the the ongoing war in the Donbas, which has Kozak military tradition of presenting flags resulted in nearly 7,000 deaths and more as gifts bestowing honor. He kneeled before than 17,000 wounded since it erupted in Presidential Administration of Ukraine the flag of an aerial assault brigade and April 2014, according to United Nations President Petro Poroshenko wades into the crowd on Ukraine’s Independence Day. kissed it. estimates released at the end of July. On the eve of Independence Day, the The effect on the economy has been dev- remain on the God-forsaken edge of the redistribution of ownership and ‘neo-oli- president participated in a ceremonial rais- astating – a fact confirmed by the second- global economy, far from its current neigh- garchization.’ That will either be the ‘old ing of the Ukrainian flag at St. Sophia quarter GDP, which plunged 14.7 percent bors, not being able to share their successes, oligarchs,’ who will concentrate on a new Cathedral as part of the annual national Flag from the same year-ago period after plum- plans or possibilities,” Dr. Korablin wrote. project and re-establish their influence, or Day marked on August 23. An exhibit of bat- the ‘new oligarchs,’ who in declaring their tle flags from the Anti-Terrorist Operation meting 17.6 percent in the first quarter. Rivalries and clans These latest results encapsulate the fight against the old ones will tightly stuff (ATO) was unveiled at the same event. Ukrainian economy as the worst performing On the political front, the government their pockets, and then, afterwards, shield- That same evening, the president gave in the world during the last 24 years, accord- remains plagued by rivalries among compet- ing themselves from revenge, begin to state awards to ATO veterans at the ing to an article published on the gazeta. ing clans. Some of Ukraine’s biggest oligarchs defend their gains through politics. In any Presidential Administration. dt.ua news site on August 21 that was – including Rinat Akhmetov and Victor case, this will all end badly.” The next morning on Independence Day, authored by Dr. Serhii Korablin, who has Pinchuk – held a meeting on August 1 at the Yet the president indicated in his August 14 ATO commanders participated in the worked for the National Bank of Ukraine. Hyatt Regency Kyiv to discuss ways to regain 24 remarks that his top political concern is renewed Kozak military tradition in which It was during this period that Ukraine’s the influence they lost when the Party of with the Pravyi Sektor, Ukraine’s largest they kneeled before battle flags with the real GDP shrank 35 percent, joining only four Regions was dissolved, National Deputy independent military force, which he con- presidential “For Courage and Bravery” dis- other countries in the world experiencing Serhiy Leshchenko reported on his pravda. tinued to accuse of unwittingly playing into tinction, marked by a ribbon, and kissed falling GDP during this period: Moldova (-29 com.ua blog on August 4. the hands of the Russian government with them before accepting them as awards. percent), Georgia (-15.4 percent), Zimbabwe Meanwhile, reports continue to surface its critical stance toward his government. “The traditional battle flag is crimson (-2.3 percent) and the Central African on a monthly basis of businessmen aligned “This is happening not from evil inten- and decorated with St. Michael’s Warrior Republic (-0.9 percent). Dr. Korablin’s report with Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk tions, but from short-sightedness or irre- Cross, but such are the demands of the cited World Bank statistics. competing with those aligned with Mr. sponsibility. From the lack of desire or the time,” Oleksandr Palii, a Kyiv political insid- Most of Ukraine’s economic losses Poroshenko for state assets and revenue inability – during the election campaign er and author, said of the flags. occurred between 1991 and 1999, while streams. fever – to realize the consequences of their The president began the day by attend- the GDP grew 69.8 percent between 2000 “Halfway reforms, delays, the lack of dangerous initiatives,” Mr. Poroshenko said ing a divine liturgy at St. Sophia Cathedral and 2013, the worst result among post- courage, sabotage and corruption are lead- in his August 24 address, referring to the with his wife and three of his four children. Soviet republics. ing towards painful consequences,” Mr. local elections scheduled for October 25. The president and his wife, joined by other “With such dynamics, until the GDP Leshchenko wrote. “And the announced “What do I have in mind? For example, notables, then placed flowers at the monu- reaches the level of 1990, Ukraine will ‘deoligarchization’ will spill into a banal attempts to declare military campaigns ment to Taras Shevchenko.

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Presidential Administration of Ukraine

Scenes from the March of Independence in Kyiv on August 24, Ukrainian Independence Day.

A day earlier, on August 23, special celebrations of Ukraine’s 24th anniversary of independence were geared toward the children of Ukraine, underscoring that they were born free. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 No. 35

Merkel on Ukraine peace deal logue, though it would also not “beg” for and recreation under a joint project of the NEWSBRIEFS better relations. “If we receive a proposal to Embassy of Ukraine and the charitable BERLIN – German Chancellor Angela start, even gradually, restoring these chan- Catholic organization I Bambini Visti Dalla (Continued from page 2) Merkel says everything must be done to nels, mechanisms for dialogue and coopera- Luna, based in the Abruzzo region, where fully implement a ceasefire agreement in tion that have been frozen by our American they lived with Italian families. (Religious jets. “The situation is ripe with potential for eastern Ukraine. She was speaking in partners, I am sure... we will agree to restore Information Service of Ukraine) either dangerous miscalculation or an acci- Berlin on August 24 at a joint news confer- these channels,” Mr. Lavrov said. “We are dent that could trigger a worsening of the ence in Berlin with French President already getting such signals from the SBU eliminates DPR spy ring crisis or even a direct military confronta- Francois Hollande and Ukrainian President Americans, though for now not very clear,” tion,” they said in a report published on Petro Poroshenko. She said the peace deal KYIV – The Security Service of Ukraine he added. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by August 25 by the European Leadership reached in Minsk in February “hasn’t been (SBU) eliminated a self-proclaimed Donetsk Reuters and Interfax) Network. The London-based think tank fully implemented and that’s meant that People’s Republic (DPR) spy network in the said it had recorded 66 “close military Luhansk region. SBU officers detained the there have been more and more victims.” Children from ATO areas meet pope encounters” between Russian and NATO Mr. Poroshenko reiterated that “there is no organizer, who was trying to recruit law military forces and between Russia and alternative to the Minsk process.” Earlier in VATICAN CITY – On the initiative of the enforcement officers and military men, said neutral Sweden and Finland. (RFE/RL, Kyiv, Mr. Poroshenko marked Ukraine’s Embassy of Ukraine to the Holy See, on Col. Andriy Lysenko, spokesperson of the based on reporting by Reuters) Independence Day, warning of the need to August 19 Pope Francis received at the gen- Presidential Administration on ATO-related eral audience children from Ukraine who issues, at the August 23 press briefing at State Department: Russia is aggressor act carefully in the next year in the face of “Russian aggression.” More than 6,400 peo- are from the territories of the anti-terrorist Ukraine Crisis Media Center. “The pro-Rus- WASHINGTON – U.S. State Department ple have been killed in fighting between operation (ATO) in eastern Ukraine. During sian agent was personally sending infor- spokesperson J. Kirby on August 24 said it is Ukrainian government forces and Russian- the meeting, held on the eve of the 24th mants to Russia for interviews with Russian the “combined Russian-separatist forces” backed militants in Ukraine’s east since anniversary of the Ukraine’s renewed inde- intelligence. The detainee was supplying that are the aggressors in Ukraine’s east. He April 2014. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by pendence, the children, some of whom are the occupying forces with strategic infor- stated: “We remain concerned about vio- Reuters and TASS) orphans from the families in the Donbas mation regarding the Ukrainian army lence in eastern Ukraine. Our analysis con- and ATO soldiers, asked the pontiff to pray through this spy ring,” said Col. Lysenko. He Lavrov says U.S. wants to mend ties tinues to show and, as I have said before, it for peace in Ukraine and to visit their cited a Ukrainian intelligence report which is the combined Russian-separatist forces, MOSCOW – Russian Foreign Affairs homeland. They presented him with a says the militants were planning to commit and not Ukrainian forces, who are initiating Minister Sergei Lavrov says the United painting depicting an Orthodox cathedral a series of attacks during Ukraine’s aggressive activities. Ukraine’s military pos- States has been sending “signals” that it against the backdrop of a Ukrainian land- Independence Day on August 24. “Militants ture continues to be defensive. We firmly wants to start repairing ties with Moscow. scape. “Although we are Orthodox, today’s might be wearing Ukrainian uniforms and reject Russia’s efforts to point to Ukraine as Relations between Russia and the West are meeting with the pope is for us a revival of preparing to fire at residential quarters of the aggressor. There is no indication that at a post-Cold War low because of Moscow’s hope for a better future, hope for reconcili- the militant-controlled towns in order to Ukraine intends to conduct or is undertak- annexation of Crimea and its involvement in ation between our people,” the Vatican discredit the Ukrainian military and create ing preparations for offensive operations in the fighting in eastern Ukraine. Speaking at daily newspaper L’Osservatore Romano a favorable picture for the Russian media. their own country, eastern Ukraine.” (U.S. a youth meeting near Moscow on August quoted the participants as saying. From They also want to create a pretext for Department of State) 24, Mr. Lavrov said Russia was open to dia- July 22 to August 28, a group of children assaulting Ukrainian positions,” Col. from Ukraine affected by the armed conflict in the east was in Italy for rehabilitation (Continued on page 13)

one of us considered that, for this to occur, Ivan Drach... Ukraine would have to become a complete TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL Walter Honcharyk (973) 292-9800 x3040 organism, separated from the union,” with (Continued from page 6) or e-mail [email protected] its own “strong institutions” and without they sought than his words. After that, everything controlled from Moscow, Mr. SERVICES PROFESSIONALS Ukrainians came together and “we already Drach notes. were able to intimidate the authorities into To a large extent, Mr. Drach continues, this giving us space for holding a large forum.” shortcoming was the result of the fact that all The authorities did not leave the field, the leaders of the Rukh were intellectuals. however. They put out fake stories that the There weren’t enough “economists and Rukh people were about to go to Lithuania financial specialists” who could adopt a prac- to hold their meeting and that Vilnius had tical approach. Even Mr. Kravchuk was “an already sent three trains. Then they said ideologue and a humanitarian intellectual.” that the Rukh leadership was planning to In many ways, he says, this was a repeti- spend money on holding its sessions on the tion of the mistakes and shortcomings of beach somewhere. the Ukrainian revolution in 1918-1920. But those efforts backfired as well, and Now, Mr. Drach argues, Ukraine is over- “the first congress of the People’s Rukh for coming this problem, but it faces another: Perestroika took place in September 1989.” widespread corruption that is so open that SERVICES The only reason the Rukh leadership added it undermines public confidence in the gov- “for perestroika” to the movement’s name, ernment. Kyiv needs to do more to fight it Mr. Drach says, was to justify its actions to and fight the oligarchic control of the econ- Moscow by suggesting that Rukh wanted to omy if the country is to be a success. help Mikhail Gorbachev and that Kyiv was Asked about Ukraine’s role in the col- moving too slowly. lapse of the USSR, Mr. Drach is blunt: “If it The Kyiv Communists continued their had remained in the union, the latter would provocations, but Rukh continued to grow, not have fallen apart. All the same, 90 per- Mr. Drach recalls. And “already when cent were for a free Ukraine; this was the expression of the will of our people. But in PERSONAL [Boris] Yeltsin defeated Gorbachev” at the time of the August 1991 coup, even the Ukraine all would have evolved differently if Communists in the Ukrainian SSR Supreme Yeltsin had not come to power” in Moscow. Single Ukrainian male looking Soviet voted for Ukraine’s declaration of Yeltsin “dreamed” of a union he could for a Single Ukrainian lady to independence, “thanks to Yeltsin.” dominate, but “all these republics, includ- correspond, date and perhaps At that time, Mr. Kravchuk made a trip ing Ukraine interfered.” And he could never marry! Please e-mail me: around Ukraine in order to see what the lay escape from that dream, just as his succes- [email protected] of the land was. Mr. Drach says that he “told sor has not been able to do. my name is Vasyl colleagues [at that time] that Kravchuk left “When we had proclaimed indepen- Kyiv as the head of the department of agita- dence” on August 24, 1991, Mr. Drach tion and propaganda and returned already recounts, he “arrived in Moscow when HELP WANTED OPPORTUNITIES with the thought… about becoming presi- around the White House, where the dent of Ukraine.” Russian government was, instead of the Rukh had relatively few organizations in shield of the USSR, they had put up an CARETAKER WANTED Earn extra income! the Donbas, Mr. Drach says, but the miners enormous shield of Russia in the form of a to maintain church building The Ukrainian Weekly is looking there supported it and helped free Stepan two-headed eagle.” in Maplewood, NJ. for advertising sales agents. Khmara when the activist was put in prison For Russians, this symbolized their inde- Weekly duties required. For additional information contact in Lukianivka. More than 80 percent of the pendence, but for Ukrainians, “it was an Background check required. Walter Honcharyk, Advertising Manager, population in the Donetsk and Luhansk executioner, a predator that will continue Contact: [email protected] The Ukrainian Weekly, 973-292-9800, ext 3040. oblasts voted for independence because to prey on us! Already then, looking at this they hoped that an independent Ukraine shield, I told friends that our liberation would give them a better life. from Russia would take a very long time.” Run your advertisement here, But because all of us, both Rukh activists He added, “So it has,” but the last two years, in The Ukrainian Weekly’s CLASSIFIEDS section. and ethnic Russians in the east, were with the Russian invasion and the growth caught up in the euphoria of the times, “not of Ukrainian patriotism, give hope. No. 35 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 13

ly recognized borders, ensuring Ukraine’s Costs of ‘nationalization’ of Crimea on the situation in eastern Ukraine. It NEWSBRIEFS sovereignty over its entire territory, includ- reads: “Today, NATO Allies discussed the ing the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.” KYIV – Russia is conducting illegal situation in eastern Ukraine. Allies (Continued from page 12) “nationalization” of private and state proper- (Ukrainian Canadian Congress) expressed their serious concern about the ty in the illegally annexed region of Crimea. Lysenko said. “We call upon all citizens to recent sharp escalation of violence. In the Court rejects Moscow trial for Savchenko According to the acting prosecutor of Crimea stay vigilant and not fall prey to the Russian discussions, Allies stressed the need for all Nazar Holodnytsky, the costs in damages parties to de-escalate tensions and exercise propaganda. Residents of militant-con- ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia – A Russian caused by this illegal activity on enterprises trolled towns must be ready to move to a court has rejected a defense request to restraint. They underlined that the focus in Crimea by self-proclaimed authorities are must be on pursuing a solution through safe hiding place should militants start move the high-profile trial of Ukrainian close to 50 billion hrv. “We have opened diplomatic means. The full implementation shelling.” (Ukraine Crisis Media Center) pilot Nadiya Savchenko to Moscow. The more than 20 proceedings... these court pro- of the Minsk agreements is the path to Rostov-on-Don regional court ruled on ceedings are related to illegal ‘nationaliza- Poroshenko urges unity on amendments peace. Russia has a special responsibility to August 21 that Ms. Savchenko – who is tion’ of enterprises that has been carried out find a political solution. Any attempt by the KYIV – Ukrainian President Petro charged with providing information that by self-proclaimed authorities on the basis of Russian-backed separatists to take over Poroshenko has called on all political forces led to the deaths of two Russian journalists a decision of the illegal government and the more of Ukraine’s territory would be unac- in the country to support his plans for con- – should be tried in a small town near the so-called State Council of the Republic of ceptable to the international community. stitutional change aimed at ending a sepa- Ukrainian border. Ms. Savchenko, whose Crimea,” stated Mr. Holodnytsky. “Currently, The OSCE monitors must be able to do ratist conflict in the east and defeating the lawyers say she was captured by rebels in we are still assessing the approximate their job safely and without restrictions. “Russian aggressor.” Mr. Poroshenko used a Ukraine and smuggled into Russia, had pre- amount of damages [while waiting for a NATO stands firm in our support for flag-raising ceremony in Kyiv on the eve of viously gone on a hunger strike to protest response from the relevant ministries and Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integ- Ukraine’s Independence Day to call on his her detention, which she says is illegal. departments], but we can already say it will rity. Allies reaffirmed that an independent, coalition allies to overcome their doubts International rights groups have called for exceed 50 billion hrv,” he explained. sovereign and stable Ukraine, firmly com- and vote in favor of constitutional amend- Ms. Savchenko to be released. Ms. (Ukrainian Canadian Congress) mitted to democracy and the rule of law, is ments that would grant special status to Savchenko’s lawyer, Mark Feygin, tweeted U.S. to deploy F-22s to reassure allies key to security in the Euro-Atlantic area. separatist-minded parts of eastern Ukraine. on August 21 that the ruling is an indica- NATO will continue to follow the situation The proposed amendments are scheduled tion that she will be convicted. Mr. Feygin WASHINGTON – The United States will very closely. (NATO) to go to a first vote in Parliament on August suggested Ms. Savchenko could eventually deploy F-22 fighter jets to Europe soon to 31. But they have split Mr. Poroshenko’s be exchanged for Russian prisoners in support Eastern European members of the Obama, Merkel discuss Ukraine pro-Western coalition to the point that it Ukraine. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by NATO alliance unnerved by Russia’s inter- remains unclear whether the government the Associated Press and Interfax) vention in Ukraine, Air Force Secretary WASHINGTON – U.S. President Barack Obama spoke by phone with German will be able to gather the necessary 226 SBU thwarts another ‘people’s republic’ Deborah James said on August 24. It would votes to send the proposed amendments to be the first deployment of the F-22 to Chancellor Angela Merkel about the recent a second reading. Several coalition allies are KYIV – The Security Service of Ukraine Europe outside air shows. The Air Force upsurge in violence in eastern Ukraine, the under pressure – particularly from militant (SBU) said it arrested pro-Russian separat- has already been using radar-evading F-22s White House said on August 26. Mr. Obama paramilitary groups that oppose giving any ists who had plotted to create a self- to carry out some attacks against Islamic noted Ukraine’s progress in implementing ground to Russian-backed separatists. declared “people’s republic” in the State sites, the first real combat air strikes its obligations under the Minsk agreements, (RFE/RL, based on reporting by the Mykolayiv region, spreading anti-Ukrainian by the jets. “Russia’s military activity in the and reiterated that Russia must do the same, Associated Press and Reuters) propaganda materials on the eve of Ukraine continues to be of great concern to according to a White House statement. The Ukraine’s Independence Day (August 24). us and to our European allies,” Secretary statement said the recent violence had Crimean Tatar leader appeals to leaders The separatists stated that this was done James told a news conference at the resulted from increased attacks by com- “under direct order of Russian security ser- Pentagon. “For the Air Force, an F-22 bined Russian-separatist forces across a line KYIV – On August 22 , Refat Chubarov, of contact established under the Minsk head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar vices.” Ukrainian law enforcement detained deployment is certainly on the strong side a number of individuals for passing infor- of the coin.” Air Force Chief of Staff General accords. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by People, issued the following appeal to the Reuters and the Associated Press) presidents of Ukraine and France, and the mation on the activities of Ukrainian forces Mark Welsh James said the F-22s’ inaugural chancellor of Germany, ahead of their meet- to the terrorists, a Russian terrorist inform- deployment in Europe would allow U.S. Seven soldiers killed, 13 wounded ing in Berlin on August 24. “On the day of er and an artillery spotter in the Luhansk forces to train with NATO partners across your meeting in Berlin, 542 days will have region. Police discovered an arms cache Europe, testing the ability of the jets to KYIV – A Ukrainian military spokesman passed since the world was faced with the close to Starobilsk, which contained an communicate and fight together with the said on August 27 that seven servicemen fact of an open special military operation of anti-tank guided missile, a machine gun, Eurofighter and other advanced warplanes. have been killed and 13 wounded in fight- (RFE/RL, based on reporting by the Russia against Ukraine, the result of which 1,500 rounds of ammunition of various cal- ing with pro-Russian separatists in the past ibers, 250 grenade launchers, a mine and Associated Press and Reuters) 24 hours. The casualties were the highest was the occupation of Crimea and the con- three machine gun belts which were seized. daily losses for the Ukrainian army since tinuing bloody conflict in the Luhansk and Law enforcement staff also seized gre- NATO comments on Ukraine mid-July, as violence continues to test a six- Donetsk oblasts. For 542 days, Ukrainian nades, ammunition and a grenade launcher. BRUSSELS – On August 19, NATO’s act- month-old ceasefire deal. (RFE/RL, based society is living in conditions of war of (Ukrainian Canadian Congress) ing spokesperson issued a brief statement on reporting by Reuters) Russia against Ukraine, during which many thousands of people (civilians and soldiers) have been killed, tens of thousands wound- ed and maimed, 1.5 million have been forced to flee their homes.” Mr. Chubarov Report with tally of ‘Russian war casualties’ causes stir also underscored: “In Russian-occupied than 2,000 families had received compensation for relatives Crimea, there is a direct threat to the very by Mike Eckel RFE/RL killed in Ukraine. Another 3,200 soldiers wounded in battle had existence of the Crimean Tatar people – the also received compensation, it said. indigenous people of Crimea... The tragic A Russian-language website has caused a stir with a report RFE/RL could not independently confirm the figures. A per- position of the Crimean Tatar people is asserting that more than 2,000 Russian soldiers have been killed son who responded to messages sent to Delovaya Zhizn’s e-mail worsening from day to day. Repressions in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. address identified himself as Anatoly Kravchenko, and said that against the members of the Crimean Tatar Delovaya Zhizn, which translates as Business Life, published the website had received the casualty figures from relatives of Mejlis continue. ...Dozens of young Crimean the information online in March, as part of a larger story of how dead servicemen as well as “insider information” from the Tatars were violently abducted, some were the Russian federal budget was compensating relatives of ser- Russian Defense Ministry, but declined to identify any specific later found murdered, the fate of others is vicemen killed in the line of duty. sources. unknown. Hundreds of activists of the The report went unnoticed until Ukrainian websites and Forbes The person also said the site had removed the information Crimean Tatar national movement are fac- magazine’s online edition drew attention to it this week. Two for- about casualties from the article after receiving a warning from ing repressions by the occupying adminis- mer U.S. ambassadors to Russia and Ukraine – Michael McFaul and Russia’s media regulator, Roskomnadzor, saying that the site tration’s punitive organs. ...Human civiliza- Steven Pifer, respectively – tweeted out mention of the report. was in breach of Russian law and threatening consequences if tion, which in the 20th century endured the The issue of Russian soldiers fighting in eastern Ukraine is the article was not removed or revised. mortal threats of fascist and communist critical for the Kremlin, which has routinely denied that its mili- A phone call to Roskomnadzor’s office in Moscow was not regimes, cannot and should not again tary forces are involved in the conflict between Ukrainian gov- immediately returned. become the hostage of the irresponsible ernment troops and Russian-backed separatists, despite mount- In the period leading up to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in actions of today’s rulers of the Russian ing evidence to the contrary. In some cases, the Kremlin has said April, masked, camouflaged soldiers appeared abruptly around state, who have violated all norms of inter- that any Russians fighting in Ukraine are merely volunteers. the Black Sea peninsula. The soldiers wore no insignias and the national law and ignored the right of peo- In May, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree Kremlin repeatedly denied they were Russian servicemen. ples to freedom and peace. No country or classifying Russian military casualties in peacetime “special Later on, however, Mr. Putin acknowledged that the soldiers people should be sacrificed to appease an operations” as a state secret, and prohibiting their publication. were Russian and a holiday was established to honor them. aggressor.” He noted: “The Ukrainian and Research released earlier that month by Russia’s political In an effort to discredit Russian claims, Ukraine has frequent- Crimean Tatar peoples, having survived the opposition tallied at least 220 Russian soldiers who had died in ly distributed photos and videos of captured soldiers who iden- catastrophes of the Holodomor and the Ukraine. The United Nations has placed the death toll in the con- tify themselves as active-duty Russian servicemen. Deportation, have the right to receive full flict that began in April 2014 at more than 6,400, including civil- In a video released earlier this month by Ukraine’s main assistance and support from the interna- ians and combatants, and said it may be much higher. security agency, a man captured by Ukrainian forces near the tional community, of which they are a As of August 26, most of the original story was still posted on city of Donetsk said he had served 19 years in the Russian army member. [I ask] that during your meeting in the Delovaya Zhizn site, though the material specifically related and appealed directly to Mr. Putin to secure his release. Berlin on August 24 2015, you take effec- to Russian casualties had been removed. Cached versions, how- tive measures aimed at restoring Ukraine’s ever, showed the article reporting that as of February 1, more With reporting by RFE/RL’s Current Time TV. territorial integrity within its international- 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 No. 35

Hundreds... (Continued from page 1) Askold’s Grave is a place of honor for heroes of Ukraine, where victims of the Battle of Kruty are memorialized as is Oleksandr Klitnytskiy, a recently identified victim of the Euro-Maidan protest who is counted among the Heavenly Brigade. The gravesite was blessed by local cler- gy, who served a liturgy on the one-year anniversary of Mr. Paslawsky’s death. The monument headstone is in the shape of a cross and features Markian’s picture in Ukrainian fatigues giving his signature peace sign and smile. The headstone is inscribed: “Markian Gregory Paslawsky (‘Franko’), died in plast.org.ua Ilovysk in defense of Ukraine; Heroes never Plast members of Ukraine pay tribute to the late Markian Paslawsky (1959-2014), who was a member of Plast in the U.S. die!” Also inscribed are the last lines of Taras Shevchenko’s poem “Testament” Also present were former Donbas by the worldwide Conference of Ukrainian (Zapovit): “And in the great new family, The Battalion commander Semen Semenchenko, Plast Organizations – Plast’s highest honor family of the free, With softly spoken, kind- Mr. Paslawsky’s former unit commander bestowed on individuals in defense of ly word, Remember also me.” Taras Kostanchuk and former commander Ukraine. The award was received by Mr. Surviving family members were in atten- of the Aidar Battalion Sergei Melnychuk. Paslawsky’s mother, Orysia. dance, including Markian’s mother, Orysia, Former national deputies present included his two sisters, Olena and Irena, and broth- Volodymyr Yavorivskyi, Stepan Khmara and er, Nestor (general manager of the plast.org.ua Yevhen Nyshchuk. Nearly 100 members of Soyuzivka Heritage Center). Markian Paslawsky on the battlefront. the Plast military camp Legion also paid their respects to their brother in arms. Born and raised in the United States, and a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Markian Paslawsky had lived in Ukraine for nearly 20 years following Ukraine’s renewed independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union. He was grant- ed Ukrainian citizenship (after renouncing his U.S. citizenship) when he volunteered to fight the invasion of Ukraine by Russia- plast.org.ua backed forces. Dr. Christine Kochan, chair of Plast U.S.A.’s national board of directors, Plast Ukraine chief Yaroslav Yurchyshyn presents the Iron Plast Cross that was and Plast U.S.A. Board of Directors Chair Dr. awarded by the worldwide Conference of Christine Kochan posthumously presented Plast Organizations to Markian Mr. Paslawsky the Iron Plast Cross awarded Paslawsky’s mother, Orysia.

Stefan Shchur Former National Deputy Stepan Khmara speaks during the ceremonies marking the first anniversary of Markian Paslawsky’s death in battle. No. 35 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 15 Bishop Daniel’s visit to Znamianka orphanage sparks local community interest KIROVOHRAD, Ukraine – Bishop Daniel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A (UOC-U.S.A.) visited the orphanage in Znamianka on June 10 while on a humanitar- ian aid mission to central and eastern Ukraine. During his trip, he visited with refugees and the wounded soldiers of the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. Bishop Daniel was joined by Subdeacon Andrew Swanson at the orphanage in Znamianka, led by director Tetiana Valko. Bishop Daniel also had a chance to visit the remodeled Montessori schoolrooms, as well as test the

Children of the Znamianka orphanage in Kirovohrad Oblast after returning from the local pizza restaurant. remote-controlled air-conditioners, donated by various sponsored by the UOC-U.S.A. One particular waitress, Olia, parishes of the UOC-U.S.A. donated balloons and presented them to each child. Other The children enjoyed a full day of activities. They per- clerks from the local stores came to the pizzeria and began formed a concert for the bishop of 20 songs and 15 poetry gifting the children small items. recitations for the bishop. After an afternoon nap, the chil- After returning to the orphanage, Bishop Daniel bid dren boarded a bus that was donated by the UOC-U.S.A. to farewell to the bedridden children before his departure Chelitano pizza restaurant in the central district of for Kyiv, promising the children that he would return in Znamianka. the near future and, as requested by the children, would A waitress, Olia, distributes balloons to each of the The restaurant staff was moved to tears to learn that the bring with him missionaries from past summer and win- children from the Znamianka orphanage. children had come from the local orphanage and that it is ter trips. UOC-U.S.A. reaches out to refugees from Donetsk and Luhansk KYIV – “I raise my eyes to heaven, praying for peace; I stretch my hands towards heaven, begging for stability and peace…” These were the words of a 13-year-old Mariana, a refugee child from Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, as she greeted Bishop Daniel, ruling hierarch of the Western Eparchy and president of the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. (UOC-U.S.A) on May 7 at LOGOS Orthodox Christian Center outside of Ukraine’s cap- ital Kyiv. Bishop Daniel was joined by the Very Rev. Bazyl Zawierucha, pastor of Holy Assumption Ukrainian

Refugee children at the LOGOS Center in Kyiv are drawn to Bishop Daniel, joined by the Very Rev. Mykola uocorfusa.org Ilnytsky, director of the LOGOS Center. A refugee speaks with Bishop Daniel. Orthodox parish in Northampton, Pa., and academic dean Considering the latest escalation of fighting on the east- of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary in ern front of the armed conflict, the UOC-U.S.A. delegation South Bound Brook, N.J. followed the advice of the local authorities and postponed Some 180 men, women and children became recipients a visit to the immediate villages around areas such as of $30,000 collected by the faithful of the UOC-U.S.A., as Debaltsevo and Maryinka. well the members of the Ukrainian National Women’s However, the most recent refugees from these areas League of America (UNWLA) and the Ukrainian Heritage benefitted from the visit of the Church’s delegation. Each Club of Northern California that partnered with the UOC- person and family received monetary support, while the U.S.A. in delivering financial assistance to those in need, children in residence were treated to ice cream. especially to the dislocated population of the Donetsk and Bishop Daniel, escorted by the Rev. Zawierucha, also Luhansk regions. traveled to the Lviv Military Hospital in order to distribute In addition, while visiting the refugees, Bishop Daniel the additional financial assistance to the wounded soldiers and the Rev. Zawierucha visited a cancer patient, who of Ukraine’s armed forces who are undergoing physical, Bishop Daniel prays for a refugee resident of the recently arrived from Donetsk and presently receives che- moral and spiritual recovery. Over $5,000 was gifted to the LOGOS Center in Kyiv. motherapy in the center. wounded soldiers and their family members.

the Soviet Union would continue, without any cuts, as the Soviets make a “definite admittance” to their actions. Turning the pages back... would the continuation of U-S. pipeline equipment for a A congressional effort was initiated by the National Soviet natural gas line that would run between Siberia and Captive Nations Committee and other organizations to (Continued from page 6) Western Europe. demand the release of 269 Soviet dissidents as restitution landing rights for Aeroflot, with the possibility of pursuing A. J. Yaremovich, executive director of the Ukrainian for those killed by the Soviet attack on Flight KA 007. Other the ban worldwide. Canada had already announced mea- Canadian Committee (now known as the Ukrainian efforts included the reading on the Congress floor for 269 sures to prevent Aeroflot from landing in Canada for 60 Canadian Congress), said that the 60-day ban proposed by days of information about the victims of the downed air- days and also suggested barring Soviet planes from refuel- Canada was not sufficient for such a brutal act. “People are plane and political prisoners in Soviet gulags. ing in Canada. indignant for a year and then they say ‘let’s forget about it.’ ” Source: “UNA reacts to jetliner downing,” The Ukrainian President Reagan also noted that U.S. grain exports to Mr. Yaremovich added that the air travel ban be in effect until Weekly, September 13, 1983. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 No. 35

Our community celebrates Ukrainian Independence Day 2015

HARTFORD, Conn. nEW HAVEn, Conn.

Borys Krupa HARTFORD, Conn. – Members of the Greater Hartford Ukrainian American community commemorated the 24th anniversary of Ukrainian independence on Sunday, August 23, with a liturgy, coffee hour and short program at St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church in NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Local Ukrainians celebrated the 24th anniversary of Ukraine’s Hartford, Conn. The blue-and-yellow flag of Ukraine was displayed at the Connecticut independence on Sunday, August 23, at the New Haven Green as the Ukrainian flag State Capitol Building in Hartford. – Myron Kolinsky flew along with the American flag. There was a program that included the reading by Michael Muryn of the proclamation of the city of New Haven, signed by Mayor Toni Harp, declaring August 24, 2015, as Ukrainian Independence Day. It was an emotional WASHInGTOn day for the participants of this commemoration because of the war that is ongoing in Ukraine; they prayed for a better future for their ancestral homeland. – Halia Jurczak-Lodynsky nApLES, Fla.

WASHINGTON – A large crowd of the Washington-area Ukrainian community gath- ered in front of the Taras Shevchenko monument on August 24 to celebrate Ukrainian Walter Zalisko Independence Day. Organized by the Razom organization, the people came with small Ukrainian flags in hand, joined together in front of the monument to hold a huge NAPLES, Fla. – Members of the Ukrainian community, particularly Ukrainian National Ukrainian flag and some 200 blue and yellow balloons. Following remarks by Anastasia Women’s League of America Branch 136, gathered on Sunday, August 23, to celebrate Rybytska, co-founder and vice-president of Razom, and Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Ukraine’s Independence Day. The group is seen above at Masa, a local restaurant. The U.S. Valeriy Chaly, the crowd released the helium-filled bio-degradable balloons into recently established UNWLA branch, whose president is Natalie Santasiero, is growing by leaps and bounds. the sky to send “a tribute to Ukrainian heroes” fighting against Russian aggression – Pat Zalisko in Ukraine. They concluded the ceremony with the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem and a few Ukrainian folk songs. The crowd dispersed when a forecasted rain- storm arrived. Ambassador Chaly also participated in another major Washington-area Independence Day gathering on the previous day – an all-day outdoor festival marking UnIOn TOWnSHIp, n.J. Ukraine’s anniversary at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in suburban Silver Spring, Md. – Yaro Bihun SyRACUSE, n.y.

Oksana Kushchak UNION TOWNSHIP, N.J. – On August 23, the Ukrainian community of Union Township and surrounding areas in New Jersey commemorated the 24th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence with the reading of a proclamation and a flag-raising ceremony outside of the Municipal Building. The main speaker at the event was Mark Howansky, president of the Organization for the Defense of Lemko Western Ukraine (OOL). A lun- cheon and celebratory program followed at the Ukrainian Community Center in nearby Irvington, N.J. SYRACUSE, N.Y. – To mark the 24th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, on – Yuriy Symczyk Saturday, August 22, members of the Ukrainian community gathered at the Syracuse Ukrainian National Home and walked to the nearby Taras Shevchenko monument for a special prayer and balloon release. On Sunday, August 23, Ukrainian American Youth Association members assisted in a flag-blessing at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian The Ukrainian Weekly Catholic Church. On Monday, August 24, the Odesa Ukrainian dancers performed at Syracuse City Hall. The segment was televised on the local news. LIKE on Facebook! – Chrystya Bobesky No. 35 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 17 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 No. 35 Entertainment line-up announced for Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival TORONTO – Ukraine’s rockabilly group Ot Vinta, Edmonton’s Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and Detroit’s Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus will headline a line-up of international performers at the 2015 Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival running from September 18 to 20. Ot Vinta, the four-member Ukrainian rockabilly group from Rivne, brings its ener- getic, irreverent, upbeat music and antics to the festival on Saturday, September 19. Its vibrant mix of guitar, banjo, harmonica, goat-bass, flute, ukulele, percussion and vocals make for a hand-clapping, foot- stomping good time. The group (http:// www.ot-vinta.com/) is sponsored by Ukrainian Credit Union Limited. “They might sing in Ukrainian but every- The Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble from Edmonton, Alberta. one understands the infectious sound of Documentary, animation, feature, short, rockabilly music,” said Jurij Klufas, chair of modern, traditional – there’s a movie style the festival. “If you’re looking for an origi- to suit almost every taste at the festival’s nal, high-energy band and a reason to annual Film Day on Saturday, September dance in the street, this is it.” 19. The high-energy action continues with Featured this year, along with talks from the international-touring Volya Ukrainian their directors and a live performance, are Dance Ensemble from Alberta. This documentaries “Pride of Ukraine: A Edmonton-based group has been captivating Documentary of Hope and Inspiration” and crowds for more than 25 years with its acro- “Music of Survival: The Story of the batic dance steps, colorful costumes and Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus,” as well as mesmerizing choreography (www.volya.ca). animated-short “My Baba’s Kitchen.” Also Festival-goers will also enjoy the rich, screening will be a rarely seen, full-length melodic sounds of the Detroit-based feature film from 1938 and a variety of Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus. Uniquely films of diverse lengths and genres. combining Ukrainian bandura and choral Film Day is being held at the music, the chorus has captivated audiences Runnymede Branch of the Toronto Public for generations in concert halls across the Library, 2178 Bloor St. W., at 10 a.m.-6 p.m. United States, Canada, Europe, Australia Admission is free. and Ukraine (http://bandura.org). The 19th annual BWV Toronto Ukrainian The Northland Power Festival Stage and Festival takes place on Bloor Street West The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus from Detroit. the Runnymede Community Stage will also between Runnymede Road and Jane Street. feature non-stop entertainment by an array The annual event attracts more than of dancers and musicians from the Greater 620,000 visitors and also features popular Toronto area, courtesy of a grant from the Ukrainian foods, a beverage garden, street Дирекція Школи Українознавства Department of Canadian Heritage. The parade, film festival, art exhibit, youth pro- при ОУА „Самопоміч“ complete 2015 entertainment line-up can gram, arts and crafts, vendor market, side- be found at: ukrainianfestival.com/per- walk sale and cultural exhibits. Admission в Ню-Йорку former_bio_2015.htm. is free (www.ukrainianfestival.com). подає до відома, що НАВЧАННЯ В НОВОМУ ШКІЛЬНОМУ 2015/2016 РОЦІ розпочнеться в суботу, 19 вересня 2015 року за адресою Схід 7-ма вулиця, Ню-Йорк, Н.Й. 10003

Збір учнів у клясах о 9:00 год. ранку Навчання розпочнеться після Літургії і триватиме до 12:00 год. дня. Запис нових учнів від 1-12-ої кляс та передшкілля відбуватимуться Ot Vinta from Rivne, Ukraine. в перші суботи місяця вересня в канцелярії школи. Вхід до школи з Тарас Шевченко Плейс Third Ukrainian Day to be held in D.C. (між 6-ю і 7-ю вулицями) WASHINGTON – This year’s third Ukrainian Day advocacy event will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, September 16-17. При школі існує СВІТЛИЧКА This is a very important year for the community as we focus on Ukraine’s security, під опікою 83-го Відділу defend its independence against foreign oppressors, and promote its Euro-Atlantic integration, noted Michael Sawkiw Jr., director of the Ukrainian National Information Союзу Українок Америки (СУА) Service (UNIS). The goal is to seek support for: military assistance to Ukraine, more sanctions За дальшими інформаціями глядіть на веб-сторінку against Russia, assistance to Ukraine’s hard-hit economy and the international elec- www.ukrainianschool.nyc.org. tion observer mission to be sent to Ukraine by the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America for the October elections. In addition, Ukrainian Days participants will advo- cate for a presidential visit to Ukraine. Дирекція і Адміністрація Школи For more information, readers may contact UNIS at 202-547-0018 or [email protected]. No. 35 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 19

September 4-6 Labor Day weekend “Zdvyh,” Ukrainian American Youth September 12-13 Baltimore Ukrainian Festival, Baltimore Ukrainian Festival Ellenville, NY Association, www.cym.org/us-ellenville or 845-647-7230 Baltimore Committee, Patterson Park, www.ukrainianfestival.net

September 4-7 60th anniversary celebration, Ukrainian Youth September 12-13 Ukrainian Village Fest, Superior Street and Oakley Chertsey, QC Association in Canada, Camp Werchowyna, Chicago Boulevard, 312-829-5209 or www.cym.org or [email protected] [email protected]

September 4-7 Labor Day tennis tournament, Ukrainian Sports September 13 Connecticut State Ukrainian Day Festival, St. Basil Kerhonkson, NY Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada, Soyuzivka Heritage Stamford, CT Seminary, 203-269-5909 Center, www.soyuzivka.com or www.uscak.org

September 4-27 Art exhibit featuring Nataliya Tyaglo, Ukrainian September 13 Religious education classes begin, Immaculate Chicago National Museum, 312-421-8020 or Hillside, NJ Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church, www.ukrainiannationalmusuem.org http://byzcath.org/ImmaculateConception

September 5 Labor Day swimming championship, Ukrainian Sports September 13 Harvest of the Past and Harvest Food Festival, Kerhonkson, NY Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada, Soyuzivka Heritage Edmonton, AB Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, Center, www.soyuzivka.com or www.uscak.org www.ukrainianvillage.ca or 780-662-3640

September 11 Concert by DakhaBrakha, National Hispanic Cultural September 13 Concert by DakhaBrakha, Skylight Festival, Albuquerque, NM Center – Journal Theater, Globalquerque Festival, Santa Fe, NM www.skylightsantafe.com http://globalquerque.org/schedule.html September 16-17 Ukrainian Day advocacy event, Ukrainian National September 12 Ottawa golf tournament, Ottawa Ukrainian Golf Washington Information Service, Capitol Hill, 202-547-0018 or Ottawa Association, The Meadows Golf and Country Club, St. [email protected] John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Shrine, 613-723-1373 September 18-20 Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival, Toronto Bloor West Village, www.ukrainianfestival.com September 12 Ukrainian Festival, St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Jenkintown, PA Catholic Church, [email protected] September 19 Pig roast, Ukrainian National Home, September 12 Concert by DakhaBrakha, International Accordion Syracuse, NY [email protected] or 315-478-9272 San Antonio, TX Festival, La Villita Historic Arts Village, www.internationalaccordionfestival.org September 19-20 Washington Ukrainian Festival, St. Andrew Ukrainian Silver Spring, MD Orthodox Cathedral, www.ukrainefestdc.com or September 12 Charity golf outing, Plast - Chicago Pobratymy 301-384-9192 Elk Grove, IL Foundation, Fox Run Golf Links, 847-823-0430 or [email protected] 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 September 12-13 Montreal Ukrainian Festival, Parc de l’Ukraine, from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors Montreal www.ukefestmontreal.org and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected]. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015 No. 35

PREVIEW OF EVENTS

Saturday, September 12 Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 15100 New Hampshire Ave., ceremony will be followed by the 68th UAV Convention Silver Spring, MD 20905. Admission and parking are free. Banquet, which will be held at the Ukrainian Cultural Center, CHICAGO: The Pobratymy Foundation is holding its 17th There will be wonderful Ukrainian artists and dancers, crafts, 135 Davidson Ave., Somerset, NJ 08873. Banquet tickets are annual Plast-Chicago Charity Golf Outing at the Fox Run Golf children’s activities, delicious Ukrainian food and a Kozak $65 per person. and reservations are due by September 15. For Links in Elk Grove, Ill., with starting times of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. beer garden. An Evening Party-by-the-Lake will be held on more information about the banquet contact Zenon Halkowycz For more information contact George Kuritza at 847-823- Saturday at 6-9 p.m. For more information contact the Festival at 201-919-5233 or [email protected].. 0430 or [email protected]. Office, 301-384-9192, or visit www.standrewuoc.org. Friday-Sunday, October 16-18 Saturday-Sunday, September 12-13 Friday-Saturday, October 2-3 LANSDALE, Pa.: The 77th annual convention of the League CHICAGO: The Ukrainian Village Fest will take place on the SOMERSET, N.J.: The National Executive Board of the of Ukrainian Catholics will be held at the Holiday Inn - corner of Superior Street and Oakley Boulevard, in the heart Ukrainian American Veterans Inc. will host the 68th annual Lansdale, 1750 Sumneytown Pike, Kulpsville, PA. On Friday, a of the Ukrainian Village in Chicago. Merchant and food ven- UAV National Convention at the Holiday Inn, located at 195 6:30 p.m. welcome dinner party will follow the general meet- dors will line the street; there will be non-stop action on Davidson Ave., Somerset, NJ 08873. The convention officially ing. Violinist Innesa Tymochko Dekajlo and Kruno Spisic and stage, featuring the Ukrainian Dance Ensemble Hromovytsia, convenes at 9 a.m. on Friday, October 2, and adjourns on his Gypsy Jazz Band will entertain. On Saturday, a guided Ukrainian School of Dance, guest performers from Ukraine – Saturday, October 3, at 3 p.m. Registration will start at 8 a.m. mobile (bus) workshop will tour the Ukrainian Catholic Natalka Karpa, and Nazariy and Dmytro Yaremchuk – and each day. For more details visit www.uavets.org. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the Jesuit Church of many more local dance ensembles and singers. Children will the Gesu (a Baroque church built in 1888) and St. John enjoy the kids’ area with pony rides, a petting zoo and much Saturday, October 3 Neumann Shrine (for veneration of the remains of St. John more fun. There will be a raffle and a beer garden. Admission SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J.: The Ukrainian American Neumann). The Saturday evening banquet will begin at 6 is $5 on both days; festival hours are 1-10 p.m. Come join us Veterans National Monument blessing and dedication ceremo- p.m. Ms. Dekajlo and the Voloshky School of Dance will enter- in Chicago for one of the last festivals of the summer. For ny will be held at 4 p.m. at St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox tain; a “zabava” will follow. The convention concludes on more information call 312-829-5209 or e-mail ukrainianvil- Cemetery, 280 Main St., South Bound Brook, NJ 08880. The Sunday with an 11 a.m. liturgy at nearby Presentation [email protected]. ceremony is open to the public, and the UAV invites everyone Ukrainian Catholic Church and a brunch. Discounted room Sunday, September 13 to join us for the unveiling of the UAV National Monument. It is rates are available (call 215-368-3800); discount room and dedicated to all Ukrainian American men and women who registration deadline: September 28. For more information STAMFORD, Conn.: The 48th Connecticut Ukrainian Day have served with honor and distinction in the U. S. Armed or registration contact Gene at 267-664-3857 or eluciw@ Festival, sponsored by Connecticut State Ukrainian Day Forces, UAV members and non-members alike. The dedication comcast.net. Committee at St. Basil’s Seminary, will begin at 9 a.m., when over 20 Ukrainian vendors will be open and confession will be available At 11 a.m., liturgy will be celebrated by Bishop Paul Chomnycky. Afterwards, Ukrainian and picnic foods will PREVIEW OF EVENTS GUIDELINES be available. At 2:30 p.m., enjoy a lively program featuring: dance ensembles from Hartford and Stamford Conn., Long Preview of Events is a listing of community events open to the public. It is a service provided at minimal cost ($20 per list- Island and Staten Island, N.Y., and South Bound Brook, N.J.; ing) by The Ukrainian Weekly to the Ukrainian community. singers the Pavlyshyn sisters duo, Melania and Stephania To have an event listed in Preview of Events please send information, in English, written in Preview format, i.e., in a brief Korenovsky, Popovchi, Evelina and Lorianna Solonenke; as paragraph that includes the date, place, type of event, sponsor, admission, full names of persons and/or organizations well as bandura and violin performances. At 5-8 p.m., there involved, and a phone number and/or e-mail address to be published for readers who may require additional information. will be a dance with Halychany. Also on the program: chil- Items must be no more than 100 words long. dren’s activities and visits to the Diocesan Museum on the grounds. Admission for all age 12 and over is $5 when pur- Preview items must be received no later than one week before the desired date of publication (i.e., they must be chased in advance or $10 at gate; parking is free. For tickets, received by 9 a.m. Monday). Please include payment for each time the item is to appear and indicate date(s) of issue(s) in information or to volunteer call 203-269-5909. which the item is to be published. Also, senders are asked to include the phone number of a person who may be contacted Saturday-Sunday, September 19-20 by The Weekly during daytime hours, as well as their complete mailing address. SILVER SPRING, Md.: Bring your family and friends to the Information should be sent to [email protected]. When e-mailing, please do not send items as attachments – sim- 13th annual Ukrainian Festival of the Washington ply type the text into the body of the e-mail message. Preview items and payments may be mailed to: Preview of Events, Metropolitan Area, noon to dusk on the grounds of St. Andrew The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054.

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