War at our doorstep, or what we are calling for

Original article was written by Lidžita, Lithuanian blogger and hereby translated to English by Albina Griniūtė.

War at our doorstep, or what we are calling for

At the beginning of the war in Ukraine, a friend of mine and me were talking about how most Europeans have no idea what it is and how real it is. And not just in Ukraine. In Lithuania. In Germany. Throughout the whole of Europe.

The succession of events made it clear that even now, more than a year after that dreadful time, the attitude of most people is still the same.

The last event that made it clear most Europeans do not realize they are standing on a doorstep of WWIII was the popular Eurovision song contest where the Russian entry won an honorable second place.

Russia found a way how to use it to justify its aggression and encourage its citizens to believe that to slaughter a brotherly nation is normal and even praiseworthy.

“Congratulations to Polina Gagarina for her undisputed success and to Russia for the successful Europe-wide referendum where it was demonstrated which place, according to ordinary citizens of European countries, Russia should hold. In my opinion, both the politicians and the European media should listen to the “Million Voices” (title of P. Gagarina’s song) of their citizens. They are calling for normal relations with Russia”, wrote Konstantin Kosachev on his Facebook page.

So, what was “just a song” for an ordinary German, an ordinary Russian understood as a message saying “we are supported by the whole of Europe”. Is it still necessary to explain what message was transmitted by „Million voices“ and what message Russia received back?

I don’t give a damn if she sings well because only a madman can represent a country that occupies another, and shriek “Praying for peace and healing” while wearing a white dress.

I don’t give a damn if she sings well because only a madman can represent a country that occupies another, and shriek “Praying for peace and healing” while wearing a white dress.

Without a doubt, Gagarina was a symbol. A symbol of Russian PR and limitless naïveté. A symbol of aggression represented as peace. Of violence covered in faux tenderness. Of Russia – in the true sense of the word.

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March for Peace in USA planned on April 27th

The American Ukrainian community appeals to the global community as a whole to show their support for Ukraine’s struggle for democracy by joining our March for Peace and against Russias’s aggression in Chicago on Sunday, April 27th, 2014 at 2 pm. We welcome all Ukrainians, Poles, Lithuanians, Latvians, Estonians, Slovenes, Slovaks, Czechs, Georgians, Hungarians, Romanians, Moldovans, Finns, and all people supporting peace and freedom. We will depart from NW corner of Millenium Park at 2 pm and walk to the Daley Center. We will begin assembling for the march at 1:30 pm.

march_for_peace

Join us! Bring your families and friends, your national flags, and your support. United in solidarity we will stand together for a democratic and peaceful future for Ukraine, Europe, and the world. If you can’t join us, like our event to show support.

Ukrainians had hoped to put an end to the corruption by signing the Association Agreement with the EU thus reinforcing the rule of law. This effort was undermined by the corrupt Yanukovych government. The ensuing struggle back to a democratic future has brought violence and bloodshed, costing us more than 100 lives so far with possibly many more to be lost. Ukraine is on the brink of war again. Russia is using all its resources to destabilize our country and tear us apart prior to the elections on May 25th.

We, Ukrainians, seek independence, recognition of our sovereignty and borders, peace, economic prosperity, freedom, tolerance, dignity, and knowledge. We can only succeed if we challenge Putin’s disinformation war and Russia’s aggression which threatens stability and peace in Europe.

Please join on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1427005870889844/

Scaring the residents of East Ukraine

Journalists of Donetsk have collected various rumours that are spread amid the participants of pro-Russian demonstrations. All of these rumors have been heard from the protesters. Some of them remind of wild delusions but this is no joke – the fear of war and informational vacuum create a perfect environment for even the most unlikely fantasies. The fear is the main factor igniting the separatist activities. And the stupider the reason for fear, the greater the fear becomes (and the shouts asking for Putin’s help get louder).

By the way, some 25 years ago, many similar rumours could be heard in Lithuania. This happened during the years of the struggle for Lithuanian Independence from the Soviet Union. Many of them were spread purposefully by the members of the Communist Party, KGB and Yedinstvo. It was difficult to quash these rumours and those residents who were doubting the need for Independence tended to believe them.

People panic when they listen to various rumors

People panic when they listen to various rumours

Therefore, please, enjoy the creations of political technologists and the common people. They could cause uncontrollable laughter, but in this case, they cause uncontrollable fear, spark very real protests and lead to even more real casualties. Here is the whole list:

  1. Yatsenyuk said that everyone who doesn’t speak Ukrainian will be forced to leave the country.
  2. The Americans are staging a war in Ukraine. Genetically modified soldiers will be used (the story was told to a journalist at a hairdresser’s).
  3. It was neither the border guards nor the army that came to Donbas (Donetsk province). No, it was the dressed units of the Right Sector and Banderists who will begin the massacre of local Russians there. Thus, the Ukrainian army movement must be blocked.
  4. Ukrainian soldiers who came to the Donetsk province beat everyone, who speaks with them in Russian.
  5. In a particular factory (of course, different names are given of the factories were the storytellers themselves are not working), the workers are forced to transfer part of their salary to Maidan and pay for the maintenance of the Right Sector.
  6. Banderists will cancel allowance for raising children.
  7. Banderists have already been seen in the station of Donetsk. They were asking for directions to get to the Lenin square, where the tents of separatists are set up. Those who did not answer in Ukrainian, were violently beaten.
  8. The children will be sold as slaves in Europe.
  9. There is no more insulin in Donetsk province. This means that people with diabetes will die.
  10. In Donbas, the mines will be flooded. Afterwards, nuclear waste from the US and Europe will be kept there.
  11. Poisoned products from the US and Europe will be brought to Ukraine (this may be a modification of rumors concerning GMOs).
  12. Gays, pedophiles and zoophiles will take over the government and will introduce forced marriages according to their worldview.
  13. Public sector workers will be stripped of all the bonuses, thirteenth monthly pays and all premiums. That is, only the simple salary will remain.
  14. In Druzhkivka (Donetsk province), the mayor himself was telling people that in the case of him being removed, there will be no thirteenth monthly pay for public sector workers.
  15. Soon a complete mobilization will begin and people who will be recruited will loose their jobs and salaries.
  16. Banderists are unemploying everybody who speaks Russian.
  17. Drug addicts are joining the army. Also, when people are taken to the army, drugs are put into their tea so that they would sign all the required papers.
  18. The celebrations of the First of May and the Ninth of May will be canceled.

We would like to repeat. This is not a joke. These are the real fears of the residents in Donbas. That is why people are demonstrating and asking for Putin’s help.

Based on the material by the Ukrainian “Informational Shield”.