7 April 2014

Continuing from last night, pro-Russian separatist groups occupied and surrounded key administrative buildings in Kharkiv, Donestk and Luhansk.

In Donetsk, separatists (the self-proclaimed People’s Council of Donetsk Oblast) proclaimed the creation of Donetsk Republic. Very soon after this proclamation, they took the decision to join the newly created republic to Russia.

However, the head of the Independent Miner’s Association, a very important union in Donesk, announced that the Independent Miners do not support Donetsk separatists. This is significant because they had previously been strong supporters of Yanukovych. Therefore, a separatist movement would rely heavily on their support. However, in today’s statement, it was emphasised that last year Russia cut industry in mining by 40%. Whereas in Ukraine, mines remain open and miners continue to be paid for their labour.

In Kharkiv, several dozen police officers remained in the Regional Administration building as groups protested around the building throughout the day. Anti-Maidan, pro-Russian groups held flags of the USSR, the Russian Federation and St. George. They also held banners with  the image of Stalin and others that read: ‘NATO = Fascism,’ ‘Down with the policy of double standards,’ and ‘We demand respect, not terror’. Participants in the rally are shouting, ‘Down with Bandera,’ ‘Russia,’ ‘Referendum.’

Opposite the building, pro-Maidan, anti-seperatist groups held flags of Ukraine and banners with slogans such as ‘We stand for the Constitution, separatism will not work,’ ‘Putin is asshole,’ ‘Kharkiv is Ukraine,’ ‘Glory to Ukraine,’ ‘Ukraine is united,’ ‘Down with Putіn.’

The two rallies were separated by cordons of police. 

By 23:34, Kharkiv separatists left the regional building. They attempted to enter the TV station, but this occupation, as of midnight, was unsuccessful.

For years people these cities of Eastern Ukraine have been exposed to media claiming that ‘west’-leaning Ukrainians are violent fascists. Now, these fears of Kyiv and Maidan have peaked with anti-Maidan media as well as funding from Yanukovych and Russia to support of a separatist movements.

However, key Ukrainian oligarchs, notwithstanding their ties to Russia, have not been fully in support of the pro-Russian separatists. This does not mean that they will stand by the change called upon by Maidan demonstrators and people, but they are not in favour of separatism. Their interest is in continuing Ukrainian economic production.

In Crimea, news today reported that the sanctions put in place by the US and EU will not hinder acting Governor of Sevastopol to continue conducting his business in the West – he was (conveniently?) not included on the sanctions lists. 

Although, the Press Secretary of the Russian Ministry of Tourism announced the cancellation of the regular tourist season in Crimea. This is contrary to the many Russian news stories that claimed there would be no interruption to business and life in Crimea given the annexation to Russia.

Missed news from yesterday (April 6): A kidnapped Ukrainian journalist and Maidan activist, Vasily Sergiyenko, has been found dead in a forest some 150 km from Kyiv. There are indications that Sergiyenko was brutally tortured before being killed and buried. According to the local prosecutor’s office, Sergiyenko was beaten and abducted from his home in central Ukraine on Friday evening. He was reported missing since then.