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The Tribunal for Putin (T4P) global initiative was set up in response to the all-out war launched by Russia against Ukraine in February 2022.

Kramatorsk women who defended their street forced into hiding

23.05.2014   
The courageous women from Kramatorsk [Donetsk oblast] who forced armed pro-Russian militants to leave their street have been forced to seek shelter after receiving serious threats.

The courageous women from Kramatorsk [Donetsk oblast] who forced armed pro-Russian militants to leave their street have been forced to seek shelter after receiving serious threats.  

As reported,  the women can be seen on a video widely posted on the Internet telling these armed men to get the hell out of their street and to stop trying to use women and children as human shields.  One woman is heard repeating that she has two children and wants the militants out.

The video was, unfortunately, watched not only by those who applauded the women’s courage.  TSN reports that the family of Sofia Uspishna and her daughter seen on the video have been forced into hiding. 

Sofia Uspishna began receiving phone calls threatening to kill them.  She says that people have responded and offered them refuge, and that Ukrainian soldiers have also got in touch and promised to help.  They do not for the moment plan to return home.

It is, unfortunately, not surprising that no mention is made of the police who have not been active in supporting citizens against militants’ aggression.  In the Luhansk region, some attacks by armed militants on election commissions have taken place either with obvious coordination with local police, or active participation by police called in to guard the premises. 

Sofia Uspishna was heard on the video calling a police help line, giving the registration number of the min-van.  There is no evidence at all that this was taken up.  It remains to be seen whether the apparent change in position and public condemnation of the militants by Donetsk billionaire Rinat Akhmetov make a difference.  His influence in the area is undisputed with the question having been only how he uses it.

 

Halya Coynash

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