proval by liberal friends ( as many of us did ), we have to fight the state and the reactionaries now .
The attention of Ukrainian society has been turned to war on the East . The most remarkable phenomenon there are voluntary battalions . The most famous called “ Donbas ”. The commanders of it call themselves as the “ network of patriots ”. On several videos he demonstrated more or less a critical , but liberal position . Also , there is a battalion Azov , which consist of neonazis ( although the mainstream tell nothing about their ideology ). Other battalions don ’ t have any political impact . I can ’ t tell you a lot about the state of affairs in the East , because I haven ’ t been there . I take my information from open and usually mainstream medias . In case if you have some doubts about pro-Russian side of the conflict , their leaders are , for sure , far-right . Usually their rhetoric is full of Russian imperialism and chauvinism , racism , homophobia and religious fundamentalism . Their anti-fascism is fake . It is just a product of Soviet mythology about the Second World War . For sure , there might be some people who think that they fight for their freedom , against real fascism and not for Putin , but they are not presented in political discourse .
Several anarchists have joined voluntary battalions . I don ’ t think that it was best decision , but I can understand them . The lack of any activities and visible perspectives in Kiev combined with a true wish of resistance forces them to go to the war . I don ’ t believe that they will become nationalists or something like this , I ’ m sure they work out-and-out to agitate soldiers and explain to them what is anarchism .
Probably , their new experience will be very useful for comrades who have stayed at home soon .
It ’ s hard to predict the end of the story . But there is no reason for despair . New authorities are loosing their legitimacy . Also , there are lots of issues in the army .
Bad living conditions in soldier ’ s camps and a stupid administration which brings death creates a fugitive atmosphere in the army . The rising prices , economic cuts and the recession can bring a new major crisis in Ukraine . I believe that for anarchists , the only acceptable perspective is the second wave of revolution . There is no other way than revolution in all our region . Ukrainian anarchists have to inspire Russian and Belarussian comrades to rise up . Only together we will be able to overthrow capitalism in our region and the world .
Solidarity with anarchist Aleksandr Kolchenko
Aleksandr Kolchenko was detained in Crimea on the 17th of May 2014 on suspicion of participation in a “ terrorist group ,” preparation of a terrorist attack , and arson .
He is suspected of having participated in a “ terrorist group ” which planned explosions near the eternal fire memorial and the Lenin monument in Simferopol on the 8th and 9th of May , and of having sabotaged railway tracks and electricity lines . Kolchenko is also suspected of having carried out two arson attacks : against the headquarters of the Russian Unity-party and Russian Community of Crimea on the 14th of April , and the office of the United Russia party in Simferopol on the 18th of April . He has since been transferred to Moscow and is being kept in the Lefortovo remand prison . The case is run by the FSB , the former KGB .
Aleksandr is an anarchist and antifascist who has participated in student and environmental actions in Crimea . He has been part of campaigns against tuition fees and supported workers ’ rights protests . He was under constant Nazi attack for his antifascist ideas . One incident took place after a film screening about murdered antifascist journalist Anastasiya Baburova , where he was attacked by thirty Nazis using knives . In this context , claims by the Russian authorities that Aleksandr is part of the nationalist “ Right Sector ” are ridiculous , and he is denying these claims .
As lawyers of the accused are subject to a gag order , we have limited information on the charges . We know that Aleksandr has admitted to being present at the location of the arsons , but he denies terrorist charges , which carry a 20-year maximum prison sentence . There is no reason to believe that he has implicated anyone else .
Aleksandr Kolchenko is claimed to be part of a bigger group protesting against the Russian invasion of Crimea by organising direct actions . A famous film director , Oleg Sentsov has also been detained under the same suspicion , as well as two others who are now collaborating with the Russian authorities . All of them are claimed to be part of the Right sector ( a Ukrainian ultra-right organisation ).
The whole case should be considered to be part of the Russian campaign to take over Crimea , which includes repression against anyone who doesn ’ t comply with the new authority .
An international week of actions for the arrested will take place from July 15 to July 22 .
For more information and very needed financial support , contact the Anarchist Black Cross of Moscow : abc-msk @ riseup . net .
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