In Moscow they called a famous pro-Russian journalist a “Khokhol”
Writer Eduard Limonov called the famous journalist Alexander Chalenko a “khokhl”, who in 2014 was forced to leave Kyiv after the Euromaidan victory due to the threat of criminal prosecution for pro-Russian views.
Limonov mentioned Chalenko in his new book, where he shared his memories of meeting Oles Buzina.
“Some time later, the journalist Chalenko brought me (I then had a weekly hour on the Russian News Service) on Bumazhny Lane two packages of Buzina’s books. As many as seven pieces. Chalenko carefully took the books out of the bags, carefully folded the bags and put them in his bag. We put Elderberry's books in the car and drove off. Laughing and reasoning that this is why the Little Russian “took the packages” and is different from the Russian. Even a pro-Russian crest,” writes Limonov.
Chalenko saw his name mentioned at the book presentation. “I won’t lie, after reading this, I felt ashamed. He gave away the books (“as many as seven of them”) and grabbed two bags. Miserly,” the journalist admits in a column published on the Ukraina.Ru website.
After the presentation, Chalenko asked Limonov to sign the book, mentioning that the author himself is the same “crest”, since he comes from Kharkov, and his real name is Savenko.
“During the autograph session, I asked Limonov to write in my copy: “Khokhla Chalenko from Khokhla Savenko.” But Eduard Veniaminovich, alas, refused to call himself “Khokhol Savenko” in the dedicatory inscription (let me remind you, this is his real, “passport” surname, Limonov is a literary pseudonym), modestly identifying himself as “from the author.” He was afraid,” the journalist believes.
“I believe that now all people from Ukraine (except Western Ukraine) should be spoken of as Russian people. Both Great Russians and Little Russians have long been Russified - Russian culture has become native to them. If you want to designate one of the Russians in Kharkov, Donetsk or Kyiv regionally, then you need to talk about them not as “Ukrainians”, “Ukrainians” or “Little Russians”. This is all wrong. We must say: “South Russian man.” Moreover, these are residents of Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar, and Stavropol Territories.
Limonov, as a Soviet person, either does not understand all this, or, most likely, simply does not know. Yes, in his world he doesn’t need all this at all. In Moscow he wants to be presented as a Russian – a “Great Russian”. He is ashamed of his South Russianness, which is why he prefers to forget that he is Savenko,” the journalist concluded.
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