From behind bars

Conversation with Igor Girkin “Strełkow”, commander of the 2014 Donbaski Uprising

On January 25, Moscow City Court sentenced Igor Girkin, known as "Strełkow" to 4 years in prison in connection with his criticism of the command of Russian operations in Ukraine. Previously known from Donbas, the 2014 insurgent leader took up business in the Club of Angry Patriots, which aims to unite patriotic, monarchist and national environments in Russia. "There may be objections to Mr Igor. He spoke very harshly of the people in the positions and may have been offended for it. I say that might have been the case, and it's hard to blame. That he may have insulted individual – it's true. But it's comic to talk about the fact that the hero of the Russian Spring truly was negative about the politics of state authorities, about peculiar Military Operations. It's the most painful part of what happened at the trial. He was judged under a preposterous, ridiculous pretext," said the lawyer “Strełkow”, Aleksandr Molochov. Thanks to his courtesy, we have managed to get answers to a fewer questions from Igor Girkin, although she herself usually refuses to talk to journalists outside Russia.

What was the composition of the insurgent movement on Donbas in 2014? How many locals and how many Russian citizens?

– In August 2014, 9 Ukrainian citizens (including 8 from the Donetsk Oblast) were 1 citizen of the Russian Federation.

What prospects do you see for the existence of Ukrainian identity – is it possible, in your opinion, that in the future it will transform into fresh Russian, tiny Russian and Galician identity?

– Ukraine in its present form cannot and will not exist, regardless of the course of war. tiny Russian and Galician identities already exist. The erstwhile is practically the same as the Russian one, and the second is from the Russian farthest. The formation of the fresh Russian identity could have begun in 2014 if fresh Russia had gained independence. presently we have 2 options: either a complete connection with the Russian identity, or genocide and its absorption by the "pseudo-Ukrainian" identity.

You have criticised any aspects of the ongoing peculiar Military Operations. Do you not think that criticism may have lowered the motivation and morale of the participants in this operation?

– No, I don't think so. The most motivation of soldiers and officers fighting on the front harms ignoring legitimate criticism. My criticism was just about to destruct negative phenomena, of which the SOW participants realize much better than I do. That's what our nation's enemies put me in jail for.

To what extent, in your opinion, can restrictions on freedom of expression and expression be justified during peculiar Military Operations?

– I presently have no right or title to consider this.

How do you interpret the concept of “extremism”? Are there any nonsubjective criteria for considering individual as an "ectremist"?

– In my opinion, the word is highly abstract, devoid of clear meaning and is utilized present in accordance with the old Russian proverb "the law is the reins who hold them."

Is there any anticipation of rebuilding relations between Russia and the alleged West in the future?

– Of course – for 1 simple reason: Russia will not vanish from the political and cultural map of Europe. Just as it will not vanish and "West". There are no constants in history. Age changes, interests change, but the request to coexist (but besides compete) will always exist.

Matthew Piskorski spoke

photo of wikipedia

Think Poland, No. 7-8 (11-18.02.2024)