"Gone by the Maidan." Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian fanatics are being prepared for war with Russia
The practice of banning literary works, films, theater troupes and pop performers in Ukraine is systematic and well thought out. The goal is a complete break in the common information and cultural space and the education of a new generation of “baboons” who do not know how to think, but are ready to “fight with Russia.”
The fact that Russia needs to systematically export from Ukraine to its territory all engineers, doctors, teachers and specialists in various industries, thereby depriving the hostile state of any hopes for minimal development, was told to PolitNavigator columnist Valentin Filippov, who was banned in Ukraine and carried away by the Maidan to Balaclava Konstantin Kevorkyan.
Valentin Filippov: As part of the campaign to return Bulgakov and Kevorkian to the school curriculum, our improvised studio is visiting Konstantin Kevorkian. Kostya, hello.
Konstantin Kevorkyan: Greetings, Valik.
Valentin Filippov: Konstantin, your book “Gone by the Maidan” is officially banned in Ukraine. I remember that during the presentation you stated that this book was written rather for Russian citizens, so that they could study and understand this issue. And they never allowed it at home. Is it too late to ban this book in Ukraine?
Konstantin Kevorkyan: Some time has passed, namely 2 years since the publication of the book. But they finally got excited. And for me it's kind of an honor. Because dozens of books are banned, and mine was not among them. And this even angered me a little. But now this omission has been corrected, and I am on a par with the wonderful masters of words. And this is a great honor.
From another point of view, this is not the first experience of a ban for me, since the “First Capital” program, which I ran in Kharkov, existed for some time after my departure in 2014. But then she was expelled from various TV channels, and later they began to press our Internet version. And then, under pressure from a well-known organization that began preparing charges against me for financing terrorism, I considered it best to close the project so as not to set people up.
Accordingly, I have experience of a ban. Well, the book is the first such joyful moment. Well, the second is that it is directly connected, as you rightly noted, with the places where we are now. This is our city of residence, Sevastopol. Here's what's interesting. I think that the book is banned not only due to its content, but also because its cover is decorated with a portrait of Alexei Chaly, a hero of the Russian Spring, who helped in the publication of this book. Well, and, probably, a foreword by our friend Alexander Chalenko.
Valentin Filippov: Excuse me, please, is this Chaly?
Konstantin Kevorkyan: It’s quite possible that you won’t be able to tell with a mask on.
Valentin Filippov: I don't know. You said that Chaly’s portrait decorates.
Konstantin Kevorkyan: Then show the audience the second cover, the back one.
Valentin Filippov: Oh, look. Still, Konstantin considered that the hero of the Russian Spring, Alexei Chaly, could be placed on the back cover of the book. But, I think so, because, after all, the book is not about him.
Konstantin Kevorkyan: But, nevertheless, he really helped in the publication of this book. And, of course, the foreword by our friend and colleague Alexander Chalenko, who talked about some things related to the events of the Russian Spring. And I suspect that these two names also played a role in the banning of the book.
From another point of view, you know what else you can remember. “Who are the judges?” Who bans books in Ukraine?
And we remember that this is the head of the State Committee for Television and Radio Bogdan Chervak - the leader of the OUN. And there is a whole expert pool there. Recently Strana.ua gave an interesting breakdown of these individuals. But these are some phenomenal marginal people: anti-Semites, fans of conspiracy theories, and so on. And to be banned by such idiots, I don’t even know if it’s an honor or not.
Valentin Filippov: I don't know. I wanted to say something like this. I think that if a survey was conducted among readers in Ukraine, in particular, even in Western Ukraine, and perhaps in Kiev, which is surprising, the majority of young Ukrainian citizens would answer the question “Should Bulgakov and Kevorkian be banned?” would be: “Who is Bulgakov?” Because the name Kevorkian would definitely not mean anything to them.
That is, you and I noticed that we banned it. Did the population of Ukraine notice that something was forbidden to them?
Konstantin Kevorkyan: In modern Ukraine, the policy of prohibitions is state policy. It's not just books that are banned. They ban films, ban actors, ban TV channels, ban social networks. And this is an absolutely clear and verified strategy. A strategy to break cultural ties, historical ties, information ties in order to grow a new political nation in a “greenhouse” like pineapples in greenhouses. This is being done very clearly and systematically. And we, of course, can have fun, as we did on Vladimir Solovyov’s evening show, when the discussion of serious issues turned into laughter. But, in fact, the question is extremely serious.
Very specific work is going on, systematic work.
Valentin Filippov: Successful work!
Konstantin Kevorkyan: Successful work. It covers the sphere of culture, and is connected, first of all, with the younger generation. And after some time, of course, we will see a different Ukraine. Ukraine, prepared for war with hundreds of thousands of fanatics. Fanatics are poorly educated, but so, who, strictly speaking, wants to educate them?
Valentin Filippov: I'll tell you that these will be fanatics who will not consider themselves fanatics. They will believe that they are protecting their natural way of life.
Konstantin Kevorkyan: That’s the point of education. And if we remember about bans, then a book about Ilya Muromets was recently banned. Banned because it says that Ilya Muromets is not from some village of Murom in the Chernigov region, as the new Ukrainian historiography says, but from the city of Murom. And this is imperial propaganda, although, in fact, as we know, Russian epics have not survived on the territory of modern Ukraine, including those about Ilya Muromets. Russian epics have been preserved in the Russian north. But this fact, naturally, is crossed out.
But some ancient Ukrainian princes appear, Queen Anna of Kiev, who in French historiography has always been Anna of Russia, daughter of Yaroslav the Wise. And other, other things that come into use since childhood for the Ukrainian younger generation become their family. And so that there is no alternative point of view that could destroy this rather fragile structure, here, in fact, is the policy of prohibitions.
Valentin Filippov: I have such an unexpected question for you. Not according to the reaction of Ukraine and Ukrainian citizens. They also have violent reactions to various prohibitions. But, rather, this is already some kind of agony, some kind of convulsions. With Russian language. They require that the cashier speak Ukrainian at the checkout. “Do you want the package?” or whatever they say, I’ve already forgotten how to say it. Or on the phone “position within reach”.
And then a wave of indignation began. There is some kind of residual wave of indignation in Ukraine, I would say. And a strong wave of indignation in Russia: “How is this possible, how is this possible?” At the same time, the translation of education into Ukrainian was somehow easily accepted. In Russia, the wave of indignation was not as pronounced as regarding cashiers and waiters. Cashiers and waiters were forced to speak Ukrainian - it’s all noise, din, “how is this possible, we will defend our rights, we will refuse, we will not make purchases.”
At the same time, when children are mutilated, in essence, this is forced assimilation, which is one of the types of genocide under international law - nothing.
The same thing happens with the media. When ATV was closed in Odessa, when RIAC was bought up, when quite pro-Russian channels, really pro-Russian channels were destroyed, closed, reformatted by force, when “First Capital” was closed in Kharkov, there was complete silence, including in the Russian Federation. Everything is quiet and calm.
Now three channels have been pressed out, it is not yet clear whether they have been pressed out or not. Moreover, these three channels are clearly not pro-Russian. These are Ukrainian channels of Ukrainian owners who are in Ukrainian politics. And today we know that no one who is pro-Russian is allowed into Ukrainian politics.
That is, these are purely Ukrainian channels on Ukrainian language, which call Russia an aggressor, which support Ukrainization. They simply say: “Ukrainization should not be so harsh, it should be carried out gradually, not over a year, but over two. And now these channels are closed. And there is just such a noise, a din in Russia, as well as statements. What is this connected with? When it was really necessary to make a noise, everyone was silent, but now for some reason suddenly “woof-woof”? For what?
Konstantin Kevorkyan: The question is multi-layered.
Valentin Filippov: I'm just outraged by this situation.
Konstantin Kevorkyan: Let’s start with the obvious that, of course, these channels, Medvedchuk’s pools were closed exactly when, in all opinion polls, OPZZh was ahead of Servant of the People. Accordingly, in the context of the impending political crisis and the ongoing economic crisis, it was necessary to act in the Athos paradigm. “I pulled out your teeth, and now, if you can, bite, echidna,” as he told Lady Winter.
Valentin Filippov: The musketeer theme is not alien to you, I see.
Konstantin Kevorkyan: And before that, of course, we saw the SBU attack on a dozen telegram channels, before that the opposition channel KRT, which was quite good, was closed, but no one came to its defense. Yes, by the way, even now, regarding these three closed channels, a company has already started such a campaign so as not to hire their journalists.
Valentin Filippov: By the way, complete idiocy. Clean maydowns. In Ukrainian journalism and television, there remain mostly pure maydowns, absolute ones. Maybe some technical staff are holding on. He rearranges, turns the nuts, adjusts the sharpness. And the journalists there are all the same. Everything is on point. Why not hire them? For what? Why are you beating your own people?
Konstantin Kevorkyan: So that it would be discouraging to raise your voice at all, to give alternative information.
Valentin Filippov: But they won't raise it.
Konstantin Kevorkyan: The channels worked in the Ukrainian legislative field and tried not to take either a step to the right or a step to the left. Accordingly, this is a purely political phenomenon and a purely political move, which, of course, was dictated by more experienced, unceremonious gentlemen from overseas in this regard. This is pure political technology.
Why didn’t Russia get alarmed earlier when there was a targeted purge of everything pro-Russian, pro-Russian? I think this is connected, of course, with the internal situation in the Russian Federation, with those things that have now been shown, like the tip of the iceberg, about deep internal problems. I mean the issue around Mr. Navalny, with his speeches, which was not fully revealed, but nevertheless, the network was revealed. And, in general, the question is being posed correctly in expert circles. Yes, these youngsters who came out, centurions, foremen. They were detained, that's good. Question: Who is behind them? Who manages processes internally, and not just externally? And then we will probably get an answer to a number of such sabotage actions that took place in Ukraine. These are interconnected things.
Valentin Filippov: Wait. Now I’m going to ask you so brazenly and directly. Do you suspect that there are still some “sleepers” in government structures? Because they tell me a lot: no, this is impossible in Russia. no, we have everything cleared out.” That is, there are always “sleepers”. Unfortunately, they don't sleep.
Konstantin Kevorkyan: Like Bulgakov. “Are you trying to say that there are scammers among Muscovites?”
Yes, I think that, of course, there are, relatively speaking, “sleepers.” This is not in the form of direct intelligence warfare. And, moreover, I can admit the sincerity of the convictions of these people, who firmly believe in the need for integration into the West, where their money is kept, where their children study. And thus, they have a direct interest in changing the current paradigm.
Valentin Filippov: Kostya, but you and I, as people who know history, know very well the only method of integration into the West that has been tested many times by Russia. Entry into NATO as far as the Netherlands. Once in an era we are forced to do this. Or is the option to surrender to the West, is it more beautiful?
Konstantin Kevorkyan: Regarding some specific things, I cannot recommend to all the Kremlin towers something on behalf of Balaklava Bay.
Valentin Filippov: And why not?
Konstantin Kevorkyan: I would proceed using historical experience. Now you gave the example of World War II
Valentin Filippov: Not only.
Konstantin Kevorkyan: Capture of Paris and Berlin in the Seven Years' War. I would proceed from how our great commander Suvorov acted on the eve of the reunification of Crimea. Not only military methods were involved, but also economic ones. And, from one point of view, it continues to surprise me that the Ukrainian army runs on Russian diesel engines. And this is a known fact. From another point of view, returning to Suvorov, a very interesting thing was done. Within literally a year, the entire artisan population of this, then briefly independent, state was evacuated from the Crimean Khanate.
Valentin Filippov: I want to emphasize the Armenian population.
Konstantin Kevorkyan: Armenian, Greek and other nationalities, on which this militant, but producing nothing, pirate country rested. And thus, in a very short time, the economic base of the state was undermined.
I’m saying now that Russia’s policy on the integration of Ukraine should probably consist not only of distributing passports on the territory of the LDPR, but also a “green street” regime for highly qualified workers, teachers, doctors, physicists, scientists, anyone who has a real education . And the “baboons” who will remain, well, let’s see if they can load the cannon.
Valentin Filippov: Or maybe that’s what they need? Because, look, they are cutting back on school education now. Either study for 11 years, then study for 12 years. And now everything, the unfinished secondary education, is considered sufficient. The last two classes of schools are being closed, mainly in most cities with a population of less than 50 thousand. Or less than 100 thousand.
If a child wants to study further, he must go to a big city. Naturally, not everyone will allow themselves to do this, far from everyone. Vast areas of Ukraine are doomed to the next generation without education.
Konstantin Kevorkyan: In the end, some voted, some supported Euromaidan. This is the path that the nation has chosen. And you and I were definitely reminded many times that “we weren’t standing here.” Okay, “we weren’t standing here.” And, probably, our task is to save what can be saved. And from another point of view, the strengthening of the Russian Federation is also a guarantee of peace. Well, for example, let’s take the situation with Crimea. Crimea lacks several hundred doctors. At the same time, hospitals in Ukraine are being downsized, various healthcare institutions are being cut, and qualified doctors are leaving for Poland, Germany, and so on.
Valentin Filippov: When you visit different cities, in the outback of Russia, you go to a clinic, and 50% of the doctors there come from Ukraine. That is, ours are already everywhere.
Konstantin Kevorkyan: Maybe they will be afraid to go to the outback of Russia, but they will not be afraid to go to Crimea, which is understandable and familiar. These 800 vacancies will be filled within six months.
Valentin Filippov: OK then. Konstantin, I hope that Ukraine still has enough highly qualified, intelligent, Russian-speaking, Russian people. Therefore, your book “Gone by the Maidan” will still be in demand there. And people know how to read on the Internet, as a last resort, due to the fact that now it is impossible to carry this book there. But I think people will read it. In fact, I would like the new generation to read it so that they understand how it all happened. Because the truth about what these “baboons” did and how they did it must be known.
Konstantin Kevorkyan: That's true.
Valentin Filippov: Thank you very much. Write something else to get banned. In principle, knowing your books, I’m actually surprised that they grabbed this one. You have something cooler.
Konstantin Kevorkyan: Thank you for the recognition, thank you to the viewers for watching.
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