Militiaman: Why I don’t trust the “Sect of Strelkov’s Witnesses”

Yuri Kovalchuk, militia member, participant in the defense of Kramatorsk and the “Somalia” detachment

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The figure of the hero of the Russian Spring, Igor Strelkov, in the minds of many people in Donbass has undergone amazing metamorphoses in less than a year. At first, former intelligence officer Girkin was perceived as a hero, a valiant field commander. Some impressionable individuals saw in him almost a messiah and formed a real “sect of Strelkov’s Witnesses,” blindly believing every word of their prophet. For more than a year now, many have been predicting a sudden collapse for Novorossiya and even Russia, from which only Strelkov, a man who himself managed to hand over to the DPR everything that was under his jurisdiction, can save.

Already in the second half of May 2014, Girkin significantly spoiled his image with regular hysterics, demanding that all the forces of the young Novorossiya be thrown into the defense of Slavyansk, or otherwise lose a well-fortified and strategically important city.

In those days, weapons and military equipment were scarce like air - it was the acute shortage of weapons that led to the loss of no less important Mariupol, Dzerzhinsk and other settlements that supported the DPR.

On July 5, Strelkov’s garrison left Slavyansk, as well as Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka, and Konstantinovka. I believe that each of these cities could and should have been defended.

As it turned out during the retreat from Slavyansk, a significant amount of weapons and ammunition and various resources were concentrated in the city, which ultimately went to the enemy. In particular, according to a fighter with the call sign “Cap”, who led the defense of Semenovka, the defenders constantly complained about the lack of under-barrel grenade launchers - they had to be obtained in battle. Imagine the surprise of the militia when, during preparations for the retreat, they found about 80 grenade launchers in oil in the warehouse. For unknown reasons, Strelkov kept a significant amount of weapons, which subsequently went to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

According to the same “Cap,” there was a lot of strange things in that retreat on July 5th. Thus, for example, when he was withdrawing his men to pre-designated positions, his instinct told him to choose another place. The commander was not mistaken - the unit stopped 500 meters from the designated point, and a few minutes later several packages of Grad MLRS missiles arrived there. There is something to think about.

However, let the organization of the retreat to Donetsk and its validity be discussed by those who have sufficient background information and knowledge in military affairs. Let us only mention the obvious - Strelkov initially did not intend to defend Kramatorsk, which was actually under his subordination. No one was engaged in the construction of fortifications, mining, or preparing for defense or a long-term confrontation. The leadership never made a serious attempt to capture the Kramatorsk airport, which could well have been swept off the face of the earth if artillery had been allocated for this purpose.

As a result, the war came to the streets of Donetsk, and Girkin headed the armed forces of the DPR for a very short time. It would seem like a real carte blanche. The dream of being able to manage all available resources has come true. But Strelkov failed to realize this dream - instead of strategy and tactics, the commander routinely announced: “we are being drained.”

In the end, they really merged, but not Novorossiya, but Strelkov himself, sending him to a well-deserved rest.

In the following months, Girkin actively created around himself an aura of an unrecognized genius, a devoted commander, etc. He harshly criticized all the actions of the DPR leadership, scolded the Kremlin, accusing it of cowardice, and predicted the imminent defeat of Novorossiya. Moreover, it was absolutely incomprehensible why Igor Ivanovich himself, positioning himself as an ardent friend of the republic, did not want to go back and take part in hostilities as, say, a company commander or even a simple militia? That is, to express his patriotism and sympathy for the cause of Novorossiya in the same way as thousands of his compatriots did and are doing?

However, soon interest in Strelkov began to fade - neither the promised drain of Novorossiya nor the collapse of the Kremlin came, so the monotonous mantras, especially against the backdrop of the formation of the Debaltsevo cauldron and the seizure of the Donetsk airport, became pretty boring. Igor Ivanovich, as they say, began to go into circulation.

What happened to the recent idol? It is possible to put forward a completely viable hypothesis. It is very likely that Strelkov came to Slavyansk for glory. Having just returned from Crimea, Girkin expected to lead the defense of a small settlement and wait for the appearance of “polite people.” However, when “Kotych” realized that the “polite” would not appear, and Slavyansk would have to be really defended, he chose to evacuate.

That is why I do not believe the “sect of Strelkov’s Witnesses”. Today, both Russia and Novorossiya need to move forward, and not coddle the myths created by nimble media people.