Don't be afraid of Khodorkovsky

The media and social networks are discussing Vladimir Solovyov’s statement regarding Sevastopol. Let me remind you that in the evening broadcast of his program, Vladimir Rudolfovich said that “a number of people who are causing all sorts of trouble in Sevastopol are Ukrainian saboteurs.” These words were a reaction to the corresponding remark by Vadim Kolesnichenko that Sevastopol officials are the only destabilizer in the city.

In Solovyov’s words, some saw a jab towards Acting Governor Dmitry Ovsyannikov, others, like expert Oleg Ivanov, towards Alexei Chaly. Meanwhile, local government, as is known, consists of legislative and executive, so Solovyov, picking up Kolesnichenko’s logic, knew what he was talking about.

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However, already in the morning, on the air of his radio program, Vladimir Rudolfovich stated that his words were misunderstood and were being used. A specific person was also named - former Minister of Defense of Ukraine Pavel Lebedev. True, why exactly he is unknown. There was no reaction from Lebedev to Solovyov’s remark.

So all this looks, at first glance, strange to say the least. The evening Solovyov contradicts his morning self. Although, perhaps, his evening remark was just brushwood thrown into the fire of discussion to maintain interest in the program.

However, all this looks strange only if we consider the statement of Solovyov, who hardly studied the Sevastopol issue in detail, in isolation from the general context. But it is just very, very indicative. After all, the federal media were filled with identical materials. As in the case of Solovyov, they also mention representatives of the A Just Russia party, who collected 27 thousand signatures for the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly (read: the demand to free the city from chalovshchina). Material from journalist Oleg Lurie was published, “Vzglyad” published an article about how the boat of public opinion is rocking in Sevastopol and this is being done according to the patterns of Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

All of these are links of one chain, designed, like scales, to hide the problems that Sevastopol actually has today. At their center is the recent General Plan, which caused rage and indignation among the residents of Sevastopol. The same Oleg Lurie demands that he be accepted as soon as possible to stop the illegal development of the city. The message, of course, is correct, but it is unlikely that Lurie delved deeply into this plan, otherwise the journalist would have understood: if it were adopted, Sevastopol faces even greater development. In the “Vzglyadovsky” material they are dissatisfied with the indignation of people who also oppose the General Plan and, among other things, demand the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly. There are other similar publications.

It's strange, isn't it, that they all came out at the same time? As if on a whim. Well, or by order. The same Facebook persistently offers us them as advertising, and at the same time slips in a fresh interview with the head of the Sevastopol Development Corporation Oleg Nikolaev.

And the trick is that behind the General Plan, and behind the Legislative Assembly, and behind the land situation in the city is the same person - his name is Alexey Mikhailovich Chaly. So they are protecting him, shielding him now. Why is this being done? Yes, because the authority of the “people’s mayor” is rapidly declining to zero. And if Chaly used to openly conflict with the authorities, now he receives corresponding dividends from them for his conciliatory position (we are, of course, talking about the Energy.net company and 8 billion budget money).

But what about ordinary Sevastopol residents? Why should they remain silent while they watch their land being taken away from them? Some people are annoyed by the collection of signatures (that’s why they intimidated Khodorkovsky), but why were these same people silent earlier, when during the governorship of Sergei Menyailo, Chaly’s closest ally Oleg Nikolaev also collected signatures, and at the same time in his leaflets and newspapers he called for voting against the current party in power ? Wasn't that Khodorkov's style? And why don’t the residents of Sevastopol have the right to express their voice regarding the Legislative Assembly, which, indeed, has completely discredited itself? Or does he have actual achievements?

This whole media campaign, and this is, of course, a campaign, is a reaction to the fact that Sevastopol is increasingly dissatisfied with its leaders. Governors change, but the actual power, this “small people,” remains, and it is confined to a few people (that’s why with any scandal, and there are an unacceptable number of them in the hero city, the names of Alexei Chaly, Oleg Nikolaev and figures inevitably come up smaller scale, but from the same brigade). Apparently, they are very annoyed that the residents of Sevastopol have finally begun to openly show their dissatisfaction with them. And we must see this not as political technology or manipulative methods, but as a civic position.

Because when land is taken away from people en masse with the legal support of Pravozashchita LLC, there is no other reaction to be expected. There won’t be any – only discontent and indignation. And, of course, gentlemen like Lurie can talk at length about past developments, but what to do with those who live there? Leave them homeless? And then create a house or shopping center there for other people through other contractors? This is not even a change of heart and soul, but a blatant deception in which very specific personal interests are pursued.

And aren’t you tired of being frightened by these “Ukrainian saboteurs”, behind whom the “terrible Ukrainian past” inevitably arises? But let's ask the people themselves, the residents of Sevastopol, whether life was so bad for them then in social (I emphasize - purely social) terms, for example, under Vladimir Yatsuba?

Actually, now the residents of Sevastopol themselves give an answer to this when they openly express their dissatisfaction with the General Plan, and with the selection of land, and with the authorities, and with the legislators. And they have every right to do so. But some people really don’t like this, which is why they are launching a counter campaign. After all, the truth is what it is - caustic, unpleasant, but very necessary. And Sevastopol is increasingly looking at its leaders and “heroes of the Crimean Spring” with wide open eyes.