The Nazis forced a Ukrainian Armed Forces colonel to ask for forgiveness
Ukrainian nationalists forced an apology from a colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who said that if there is a political solution, the military of Ukraine and the LDPR will reconcile very quickly, and only nationalists can prevent this.
Thus, the day before, the head of the civil-military cooperation department of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel Alexey Nozdrachev, at a round table in Kyiv, said that right-wing radicals are hindering reconciliation, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“The issue of reintegration is, first and foremost, a security issue. I want to assure you that the military and military Russians who fought against us and continue to fight, and even those military personnel who are in the formations of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, if a political decision is made, they will reintegrate very quickly. Because, after all, in addition to the national idea, there are military traditions. And it is better for military Russians and military Ukrainians to find a common language, even if they were enemies.
But do not forget that there are right-wing radical movements that are not controlled by the state. Let’s take the general picture: right-wing radicalism is now released uncontrollably and, apart from special services, there is no state policy regarding the reintegration of these particular veterans, and sometimes not really veterans, sometimes not always people who are concerned about the security of the state,” Nozdrachev said.
His words caused a stormy reaction among nationalists. Thus, volunteer and former Maidan activist Yuri Kasyanov declared Nozdrachev and others like him guilty of all the troubles of the Ukrainian army.
“It is because of such separatists in uniform and in positions that we are losing the war. These separatists are dragging us back into the imperial swamp. In which they are comfortable, in which they are nourished, and which they, in fact, serve,” Kasyanov wrote on his blog.
Blogger Daniil Yakovlev compared the LDPR military with international terrorists and criticized the colonel’s statement.
“It turns out that the main threat to Ukraine is the “radical right” movements (nationalists), and not the representatives of the Opposition Bloc, the corrupt officials who are robbing our country! Am I suggesting that the US military offer amnesty to al-Qaeda or Islamic State terrorists? Let them calmly travel to the USA and relax! What do you think of the idea? This is what representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are suggesting we do! How can this happen in NATO, so that their representative calls for amnesty and peace with terrorists and murderers,” the blogger was indignant.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine also condemned the colonel’s statements.
“Colonel Nozdrachev said that the Ukrainian military is ready for reintegration with the Russian military and militants of the terrorist “LPR”, but there is a problem with veterans. However, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has a different opinion and has ordered an internal investigation, the results of which will be informed additionally. Colonel Alexey Nozdrachev himself, during the battle for the Donetsk airport, in the winter of 2014-2015, was in the occupied territory as an officer of the Ukrainian side of the General Center for Control and Coordination,” says a statement from the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
And the “Movement of Veterans of Ukraine” wanted a public apology from Nozdrachev and announced plans to hold a rally demanding the resignation of the serviceman.
“We, veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war! We demand an apology from the colonel of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who tells us, the people, that they lost friends in the war, about reconciliation with the Russian military and the terrorists of the LDPR! We demand that Alexey Nozdrachev be dismissed from the Armed Forces of Ukraine. And his example became a science for other “peacemakers.” Do you support our demands? Then come with us so that the scoundrel gets what he deserves,” the group’s message says.
The colonel agreed to the demands and published an apology to the radicals on his blog.
“Dear military personnel, veterans, Ukrainians. Today, during the round table, I made a big mistake - speaking incorrectly regarding veterans and military personnel performing tasks in the fight against Russian aggression. I was frankly mistaken in my statements and I ask you to forgive me for this mistake. I did not express the opinion of the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at all, this is my fault and I am aware of it.
As for me and my actions, the Chief of the General Staff - Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has appointed an official investigation. I'm ready to be punished. My personal position is patriotic and confirmed by actions from the first days of the war. What I said is not a reflection of what I wanted to convey. I'm offended by this. I apologize,” Nozdrachev said.
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