THE LEGION - STORIES OF THOSE, WHO HAS GIVEN US A HAND
The Legionnaires - a new work by the "If Not the War" community, known by its photo projects dedicated to the defenders of Ukrainian land and the nation, participants of the Donbass war. The Legionaries project is a dozen of life stories that have been told by those brave people, who came to Ukraine to take part in our nation-liberation struggle.
Just three years ago we all were strangers; each of us had own affairs, own interests, own friends and enemies. Three years ago we could not think that the enemy will make us the nearest and dearest in the world.Just three years ago, each of us had own plans and put different – their own – goals, and we could not imagine that the enemy will put before us a single goal.Just three years ago thousands of kilometers divided us, and perhaps some of us just walked down the street of your own city in your own country, and now the enemy has united us on the little patch of our Ukraine.Not knowing each other personally, we were shoulder to shoulder in defence of our country; we raised a big wave of volunteers. Powerful and strong spirit of patriotism has become the driving force and the best support in terrible battles. And the help from around the world inspires faith in victory to this day.You, exactly you are the one who gave me, the Ukrainian soldier, helping hand in this terrible war ...You are the one who left family thousands of kilometres away from Donbass and came to be with me in the trenches ...You are the one who doesn’t know my language, but understand me without words when I miss my darling daughter ...You are the one who has another faith, but call me brother and share the last piece of bread ...You are the one who listens to the anthem of my country with great respect and have chevron with my flag on the sleeve...You are the one who buries fellowmen and are mourning them as brothers ...You are the one who three years ago was a stranger to me, but now became nearly the most native ...You are the one to whom each of us bows to the ground for defending Ukrainian land, shedding your blood on it, giving your life for it.You are the one who does not break my Ukraine into pieces, pouring it with the blood of its best sons ...You did not need evidence of my truth, as it was unclear for you, like me, why living in my own country I don’t have to defend ...You are the one who isn’t beating his fists on his chest and shouting that he is a patriot, sitting in a cosy cafe, but silently takes automatic rifle, and comes to change me at the checkpoint ...You are the one who was pulling me out of attacks and covered my torn in rags wound with his hands with one wish: "Just live, brother!" ...You are the one who getting a short leave is carrying gifts to my parents thinking on the way that will not see his son for a long time ...You are the one who knows about my life more than those whom I called friends ...You are the one who looked with me into the eyes of death, and holding your hand I understood that everything would be fine ...You are the one who will cover back and will not step back ...I, Ukrainian soldier, a volunteer, a citizen, thank you for coming to the aid from Georgia, Croatia, Chechnya, Belarus, Canada, Israel, Sweden, Latvia, Uzbekistan, Russia, Poland, Isle of Man (the United Kingom), from many other corners of the Earth. You came to help me in my struggle. Now this is our struggle.We aren’t alone in trouble; we were extended a helping hand by many people around the world. No one could ever imagine that quite strange people will not only read the articles or watch the news about Ukraine, they will collect a ton of help to the soldiers, send parcels to the families of the victims, invite our men for rehabilitation. An endless stream of concern, excitement, assistance.We would like to tell, write about everyone but we cannot embrace everything. We thank everyone who has trusted and helps us, but we want to say about those who risking their own lives give us a peaceful sky in our cities.These are fighters and our Defenders from other countries. Just think: to leave equipped welfare, their business and profit, and the most important – family, and go to war! To our war ...Unfortunately, many Ukrainians said: "It is not my war!" But whose? Maybe Croatian?! Maybe Swedish?! Or maybe Chechen?! Yes, we can confidently say that these people are greater patriots of Ukraine than most of our population. And it's true. They do not pretend that it is not their concern, they do not hide behind cries: "But when it comes to my home, I will go!" This war will not come to their homes. They do not make heroes of themselves and do not shout at each step of what they saw or experienced in this war.These people are just defending us. These people are just fighting for our possibility to live and decide by ourselves. These people care how our children will live after us. They don’t say they are fighting for us, no, they say that they are fighting with us, for our freedom, honour, glory, people and Ukraine.We have no right not to talk about them, and this is just a small drop in the ocean as there are many such fighters. We want that not only Heroes of the project, but other men and women who came to rescue us from the aggressor knew: we thank all of them and each personally for this, as we feel, heroic decision.12 stories we are going to tell you. Each of them is about a soldier, a legionnaire, about "the One who gave us a hand ..."
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Christopher Garret
the Isle of Man, the Great Britan
the Azov regiment
"... We waited till the morning and then I went to find a vehicle to take me back to the school where the rest of my team were. Finally I found an armored car and they drove me back. When we reached the school it was a mess. They had been hit hard the day before, ammo and burnt vehicles scattered the school courtyard, there was blood on the ground and people looked totally worn out, tired from the fighting the day before... My team came back from their search and we were finally reunited. We were asked to go back out to help give sniper cover to bring another lost member home. This only lasted a short while; finally an hour or so later we loaded back into the trucks and headed back to Mariupol before heading back to base. Valentine’s Day and its aftermath were finally over. During this time I had been shot at by the enemy for 2 hours, then about 14 hours by Ukrainian forces. But it’s ok after all, that’s what we get for having to walk with the enemy.
Not a day goes by without me thinking of the 2 men who helped me get out that day. We shared no common language and they could have left me at any point to save themselves. Yet they did not and together through some funny hand signals and gestures, we all made it out alive. I will never forget the events of the 14th February 2015 and the 2 soldiers who risked their lives to save a foreigner... "
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Sergey Petrovichev
Russia
The OUN volunteer battalion
“... Now I have “intermediate” prosthesis, that is something in between educatory and regular one. I have lots of things to go through, all these medical boards checking. Tomorrow it will be Medical Social Expert Commission, and then I will be registered. But what will it give, in the best occasion, I will have 3rd group of disability on general civil disease. I am not able to get the disability group as a participant of anti-terrorist operation, because I don’t have documents. Not taking into consideration, that there are all expert reports and documents proving where exactly I was serving and where I received wound, and this is how legal and regulatory framework work. But I understand everything, and the law is such, then I am not an exception of rules, and they can not do a miracle. It is clearly stated in the law “the citizens of Ukraine have rights…”, but I didn’t receive the citizenship, though I applied many times. It was even presidential commission twice, and every time they refused due to different reasons. Last times they called and said I had to give certificate of no criminal record from the RF. But how will I give it? I even can not contact the Embassy, as embassies of RF are not subordinated to Ukraine, and what can happen to me there we understand. Even if to sign the Power of Attorney, but until it comes here, then until the time when I am invited to hearing of the case, its validity will be over, as it was in the case of my fellow from Chelyabinsk. It turns into some sort of humiliation. Bureaucratic system of both countries are simply off scale and it has to be changed. In 2014 the president of Ukraine announced that he will sign the bill on issuing citizenship to all foreigners who are fighting on the Ukrainian side. And then it turned out differently, it is necessary to check everyone. So, please, check, here is my battalion, my blood brothers I was fighting with, there are divisions from the other brigades which were together with us at combat missions and everyone saw by his own yes, make a request here and find out everything you need about me. But nobody wants to deal with this, as it is easier to say there is a lack of some piece of paper. For now, I have temporary residence for a year. I can be employed and even sign the contract for performing military service, but if you are wounded, then “ Sorry, we can’t help you... ”
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Adam Osmayev
The Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
Dzhokhar Dudayev International peacekeeping battalion
" ...Ukrainians are a very strong nation with the ability to positive thinking. I am sure that if only they had a quarter of a century to develop freely then Ukraine, considering its resources, would be one of the most advanced countries of the world.
Ukraine has great resources, starting with its geopolitical location, fertile lands, mineral resources and, the most important thing; it has kind and hard-working people. But the main problem is its bloodthirsty and aggressive neighbor… However, acknowledging the problem is already a big step to solving it. We say that a "real man is not the one who knows how to battle, but the one who knows his enemy" (Chechen proverb). So I hope that soon Ukraine will sort out all the major problems and difficulties and will gradually evolve and develop in peace to be a proper and respected part of the international community of the civilized world... "
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Uris Vaisbekirs
Latvia
The OUN volunteer battalion
- Is this war foreign for you?
- No, absolutely no, for me it is my war. I am also thinking about getting Ukrainian citizenship, I know that it could be difficult because of documents, but I am ready to wait. Now I don't do anything, just take care of my health. And you know, I don't have even desire to do something with “metal feet”. I will do it soon. I communicated with the president's wife, when she and generals were in Vinnytsya, in a hospital. We discussed this theme. After this, in one week was passed an act, which allowed foreigners to serve in the armed forces of Ukraine. And farther, in 2 months foreigners that were on war can get Ukrainian citizenship. Unfortunately, this scheme doesn't work. I have an example of one military man. He is Russian and militated a year and a half here, but now he can't get Ukrainian citizenship, because of bureaucracy. He was fighting for Ukraine, Pesky, and almost all the line of АТО. He is there now and can't get citizenship, he has some problems. A few guys got citizenship. Many legionnaires can't have a contract in the armed forces, because there is not a functioned mechanism.
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Denis
Croatia
the Azov regiment
" ...I think that in order to improve the situation in the Ukrainian army the General Staff should be changed because there are people who studied in the Soviet Union, otherwise, we will have to wait for the victory for a long time. The volunteers who went to fight in volunteer battalions should be given the opportunity to study, to become commanders - real officers. These people have an experience of warfare - two years. They have a great potential. But, equally, volunteers should be taught. In the "Azov" is organized at a decent level for those fighters who went to operations in the war zone. For two years, I’ve been living in Ukraine; your country has become my second country, my family. I like those cities which I have visisted (Kyiv, Poltava, Lviv, Kharkiv, Odesa). Western Ukraine reminds me very Croatia. I like to taste Ukrainian dishes (borsch, dumplings, and sausages). The only thing I do not like is porridge, especially when it needs to eat every day..."
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Levan
Georgia
the Right Sector Ukrainian Volunteer Corps
" ...They needed specialists who prepare young men for the “Pravyy Sector” to fight for the integrity of the state. I agreed because it's my calling, I spend the whole life in the form with weapon and I had to share my experience to Ukrainian soldiers. I became a military not because I like to shoot or like the smell of gunpowder, but because after the conflict in Abkhazia, nothing good happened, my people was crushed, destroyed, they ruined everything that was found in a conflict zone... "
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Conrad
Conrad
Poland
the Donbass volunteer battalion
the Donbass volunteer battalion
" ...I was born in March 1971 in Zabrze, Poland. One of my grandfathers was Ukrainian, from Ukraine others - Poles. I was born in a family of intellectuals: my mother is a teacher of Russian language (that is why I can communicate in Russian), and my father was an engineer and a bookkeeper. I am not a citizen of Ukraine, but it does not mean that I have no right to speak like Ukrainian, to feel myself a Ukrainian. I fought for Ukraine, I proved that I am well-deserved to be Ukrainian, I have the right. I haven’t been granted citizenship yet, but it does not mean that I no longer feel Ukrainian and remain only Pole. Yes, I am a Pole, but Ukraine is not alien country to me. Therefore, this war is also not alien to me. In our battalion 70% of people were Russian-speakers. For me the enemy is not the Russian people, but the leadership of the Russian state, its security forces. If you know history, you understand that the Russians are victims of their state, police etc. Too bad that they cannot change it. Other nations have learned how to do that, but Russians not. Moreover, they cannot change their state and do not let others to do so. However, we must take into account that the leadership of their state as a parasite on a healthy body does not permit them to change anything. I was in Russia, in Moscow more than once. I was jumping with a parachute there. Russians are an ordinary people. Yes, I hate Putin, his security forces, they are my enemies. During the year they destroyed thousands of Ukrainians. Russian security forces killed Polish generals and officers, hundreds of thousands of Poles in Katyn. The last 500 years, we are constantly at war with Russia, unfortunately, in the territory of neighboring countries. Russia, for some reason, constantly liberates somebody, but always outside its country. I do not want to mix the Russian people and the Russian state."
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Denis Polishchuk
Canada
the Carpathian Sich volunteer platoon
"...Regardless of where I live, I will always be a Ukrainian. I could not ignore the fact that with every passing day someone else was risking everything they have to defend my homeland, my nation, and my country while I sit on the sidelines in Canada. I considered all of my options, and their possible consequences, and in a moment of clarity I pictured the following scene: if, through the grace of God, I get to point in my life where I have children, and grandchildren, and they learn of this war, they will undoubtedly ask me what part I played in it. It is at that point that I realized that I could not, with a clean conscience, give them any other answer than to say that I had gone to defend our homeland..."
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Igor Klevko
Belarus
the Donbass volunteer battalion
"...In 2000 I was the member of opposition movement “Zubr” (aurochs) in Belorussia, we resisted dictatorial regime in my country. We were trying to change the dictatorial regime to democracy in democratic way using peaceful methods. Unfortunately, we did not succeed, but the idea of this struggle for freedom is really valuable for me, that it why I could not stand back- if it is always inside me, I have to act. And my last name is Ukrainian, how can I ignore this? – Igor smiles- It is like to deny myself and my last name..."
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Vidadi Israfilov
Azerbaijan
the General Kulchytskiy battalion
" ...You know I served in the Soviet Union. And what is good about it is that it was shameful not to serve. It was an honor for every man to be in the army. Unfortunately as time passed it stopped being that popular. I think that's bad. Every man, since childhood has to realize that he is a warrior and his mission is to protect, and that in case of danger he is the person to rely on. We were raised like this and I think it is right. But I can say that in the Soviet Army there has never been such a feeling of fraternity that I have experienced here in Ukrainian army. Here in such hard times for the country, unity and respect to each other keeps the morale and the spirits up. In my opinion it is very good that patriotic education of youth is becoming more and more popular in Ukraine. It's very important to tell children the truth to make them feel proud for their country. And we have a lot to be proud of… "
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Shavkat
Uzbekistan
the 24th Separate Assault Battalion Aidar
"...During the spring and summer, I was at the Maidan, covering events in Ukraine. I recorded many interviews, and videos. A couple of times I traveled to the front line as a volunteer, together with priests and journalists. Then I started to look for opportunity to join a volunteer battalion. I have always counted myself as a peaceful person and never held a weapon in my hands. I tried five times but they told me, “no, it is not possible, you are a foreigner”. “Three times they took me off the bus!” says Shavkat with outrage. I tried to reach Luhansk region myself. They sent me back again. I can understand them since I was without papers, which were in the tent when it burned down. Without papers, it is very problematic for me to do anything.I went on with my attempts. Now everybody knew me and made jokes: “Why do you keep on coming? You were rejected so many times!” “Reject away, I told them, I will keep trying anyway..."
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