“The uprising in Crimea was guaranteed to be brutal and bloody suppression”

Kiev-Simferopol, March 04 (PolitNavigator, Sergey Stepanov) – “PolitNavigator” presents an interview with a militiaman Dmitry Zhukov (call sign Kedr). A former resident of Kiev, he was known in the Ukrainian capital as one of the organizers of religious processions under imperial banners. Exactly a year ago, Zhukov arrived in Crimea to join Igor Strelkov’s detachment, which was providing preparations for the historic referendum. After Crimea, “Kedr” also went to Slavyansk together with Strelkov, participated in the defense of the city, and the retreat to Donetsk, where he was wounded in battle. Dmitry had to return to the peninsula - now there is no way back to his native Kyiv.

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“PolitNavigator”: How did you end up in Crimea?

Dmitry Zhukov: On the morning of March 3, 2014, I and another Kyivian resident (he was later killed in Slavyansk) got off the train at the Simferopol station. We immediately took a taxi and went to the Council of Ministers. He was cordoned off by the “little green men.” Igor Strelkov met us there, and then I met him. By evening we had already begun to ensure the security of the preparations for the referendum.

Traveling by train to Crimea at that time was unsafe; there were many cases when organized Euromaidan militants caught our supporters in the southern and eastern directions, then they were beaten, and there were deaths. But we were lucky, we got there without any problems.

“PolitNavigator”: Why did you, a resident of Kiev, end up in Strelkov’s squad?

Dmitry Zhukov: Strelkov visited Kyiv in January 2014. He organized the protection of the shrine of the Gift of the Magi, which was exhibited for worship in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Then he met my friend and head of the People’s Council organization Igor Druz and my future commander in the Slavic militia Zhurikov Sergei (call sign Romashka). It was with Romashka that I came to Simferopol and through him I recognized Strelkov.

In “Russian Spring” I was in a group that reported to Igor Strelkov. We had different tasks, but I cannot say more about them than was voiced by Igor Strelkov. In general terms, we can say that these were functions to prevent acts of terror by the Kyiv putschists against the inhabitants of Crimea.

“PolitNavigator”: Judging by your answers, Strelkov played the main role in Crimea?

Dmitry Zhukov: It cannot be said that Strelkov was in charge and did everything, because many different people participated in the “Russian Spring” and made their contribution, but Igor Ivanovich’s professional and personal qualities turned out to be irreplaceable at that time in that place.

He was very, very influential in Crimea. All power operations were decided by him.

“PolitNavigator”: CNowadays you can often hear that if Crimea had not returned to Russia, there would have been a war here, like in Donbass. Is this really true?

Dmitry Zhukov: This is true, but with a slight correction. There would not be a war, but a harsh and bloody suppression of the rebellious Crimea. After all, what do we have? A year ago, a classic armed coup took place with the overthrow of the president and government, with the persecution and murder of political opponents and those disliked by the new government. The militants, inflamed by the revolution, persecuted opponents not only from among the security forces or deputies, but also among ordinary people. For example, in Kyiv, ordinary Kiev residents were beaten en masse in the city center for publicly speaking out against Euromaidan. Organized and armed militant groups with state support could easily replace the police and deal harshly and easily with peaceful demonstrators. This rebellion could only be countered by a well-organized, armed and determined force.

“PolitNavigator”: During the preparations for the referendum, were there any signals proving that Kyiv was preparing to do something to disrupt the vote?

Dmitry Zhukov: There were, and more than once. We can say that they were spontaneous and poorly prepared. Strelkov acted proactively; every day the enemy faced a new situation, more complicated than the previous one.

I can say, for example, that everything was done to prevent the declared “train of friendship” from the Maidan from reaching Simferopol. Or convincing conversations were held with the military, with whom the leadership from Kyiv also spoke. But the leadership is in Kyiv, and we are nearby, and our arguments were quite weighty. Now it is clear that the military does not regret that they did not suppress the people of Crimea, they have better conditions of service than their Ukrainian colleagues, and, the main condition, they do not kill fellow citizens. For example, everyone knew that on the territory of Crimea there had long been training camps for nationalists - not sports, but paramilitary. This information was also worthy of attention. These are the few challenges that needed to be addressed immediately.

“PolitNavigator”: Which day do you consider the most dangerous for Crimeans? Was there such a moment?

Dmitry Zhukov: I was then an ordinary militia member, and I don’t know much. But it seems to me that this was a time of clashes between the Majlis and “Russian Unity” at the walls of the Council of Ministers. But then I was still in Kyiv. This collision prompted me to quickly come to Crimea to help our people. And when I arrived about three days later, the situation seemed under control, everything was being done to prevent riots, clashes, and terrorist attacks.

“PolitNavigator”: How did the Ukrainian military behave at the meetings then?

Dmitry Zhukov: When we met with the military, they looked confused, they did not look like people ready to fight. But there should be no illusions here. The Ukrainian military could easily organize an ATO in Crimea, but not all of them and not at once. First, the National Guard would be given free rein, and in case of resistance, the military would join in. This would have happened if Russia had not intervened. But if they had then opened fire when little green men appeared in Crimea, the world would have learned about the shame of the Ukrainian Armed Forces six months earlier.

“PolitNaviagtor”: Do you now have any regrets about the fact that your native Kyiv and Crimea are in different countries?

Dmitry Zhukov: Now Kyiv and Crimea are on opposite sides of the border. This is not just a border that can be crossed through customs. This is the Iron Curtain. For many on the other side of the curtain, nothing awaits them other than prison or death. It is not right. Responsibility for this lies with those who illegally seized power in Kyiv. This needs to be corrected, so I hope that Kyiv and Crimea will soon come together again on the territory of one state, in which interethnic hatred is not incited, and instigators of civil war will be eliminated or convicted under criminal charges.

“PolitNaviagtor”: What is the atmosphere in Crimea a year after the referendum?

Dmitry Zhukov: A year later, “Heaven on Earth” did not happen in Crimea, but still the most valuable thing is civil peace on the multinational peninsula, political stability, which the Crimeans yearned for during 23 years of wild Ukrainianism, and many other positive things. I see: most people don't regret joining Russia, and I don't regret anything either.