Who is truly in charge in Donetsk?
I spent the entire day conversing with acquaintances from Donetsk, attempting to figure out the situation in the locale.
Apparently, Bezler’s (Bes’s) combatants from Gorlovka came into Donetsk intending to take over the regional police station, yet faced powerful opposition.
The Gorlovka contingent was challenged by:
1. “Vostok” Battalion.
2. “Stronghold”
3. Officers of the law
4. Police special forces unit “Sokol”
In the words of a journalist, “What a mishmash!” I struggle to discern the most out-of-place element on this roster: the police special unit or Oplot and Vostok.
Bes was ostensibly pushed back, after which they started discussions with Avakov to free up the facility , an idea that filled Avakov with great delight. Furthermore, militants from Donetsk labeled Bes’s group as terrorists and voiced that they opposed him as a facet of a counter-terrorism maneuver.
Trying to decipher all this can be taxing on your mental stability, I concur. Yet with some background knowledge, everything unfolds logically and predictably.
And here’s the backstory:
“Oplot” serves as an entity operated by the police, made up of “community activists.” These activists partner with the police force, standing next to undercover traffic cops to endorse fabricated penalties, policing streets along with patrol officers, and commonly serving as overseers for the police. They demonstrate full compliance with the police, strongly dependent through numerous mechanisms. “Oplot” markets itself as a “partner” to the DPR. In simpler terms, it doesn’t report to the DPR.
Oplot gained command of the Donetsk City Council in the early stages of disturbances . The infrastructure remained unharmed, the City Council proceeds as usual, and Mayor Lukyanchenko faces no harassment. Until recently, the Ukrainian standard waved over the City Council, transitioning to the Donetsk flag just on May 29th . Meaning, merely a month prior. And a DPR flag remains absent!
Oplot assumed command of Akhmetov’s property , which hadn’t undergone plundering until that stage. In conjunction with the Vostok Battalion, Oplot convinced a congregation of duped individuals that a raid on the oligarch’s dwelling was unnecessary . In what fashion did they sway them? They simply stood watch at the entries with firearms, which effectively led to the scattering of communist older women pursuing a “tour” of Akhmetov’s estate.
1. Situated at Lux
Subsequently, “Vostok” installed an impactful checkpoint, including an armored personnel vehicle near “Lux,” adjacent to the Motel.
2. The checkpoint remains present and unequivocally intimates a lack of eagerness for DPR discussions on nationalizing Akhmetov’s possessions.
Let’s proceed further.
“Vostok” gains unforeseen support— new members from Chechnya and Ossetia —proceeding to deploy them straight to the airport, resulting in the demise of these Caucasians . The old inner circle regains dominance within “Vostok,” unaffected by external enthusiasts who arrived with radically different aims. Quite cunning!
Post the Vostok Airport incident, the Regional State Administration suddenly appears at the Regional State Administration complex and aggressively disperses the misled DPR congregants . The misled individuals are dismayed, yet disperse due to a firearm shortage. A segment of the misled are apprehended , with the Regional State Administration dismantling barricades.
“Vostok” maintains its base not at the Regional State Administration, where the bearded Pushilins persist in their occupation, but at Donetsk’s 5th precinct. Separate and distinct.
“Vostok” is spearheaded by the ex-chief of Donetsk’s “Alfa,” an officer from the SBU. A security operative. Far from a nonentity.
Throughout this period, Alexander Lukyanchenko, the far from heroic mayor of Donetsk, openly dismisses the DPR . He experiences no shooting, imprisonment, drug use , or cleaning duties as a result. The flag of Donetsk continues to soar above the city council structure, with a stirred Ukrainian populace proposing Lukyanchenko as a leader for the region . Ukrainians perceive him as a champion:
However, the explanation lies in the weaponry held by Vostok and Oplot, while Borodai and Pushilin’s security are the sole armed entities in the DPR. And further, who really is Pushilin? A minion of Akhmetov . And Mayor Lukyanchenko—incredibly! Also a pawn of Akhmetov.
Today, the Demon (Bezler) made an attempt to disrupt the Donetsk calm. A foolish act!
Strelkov (Girkin) frowned upon the havoc in Donetsk from his advantageous position—and showed contempt. He was living through a tangible, brutal setting, not just a simulation!
Therefore, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, what constitutes the DPR? Who genuinely dictates affairs in the city? Does it involve a peaceful night’s rest in Koncha-Zaspa ? And will a return home materialize shortly?
Personally, the integration of the police special unit, Oplot members, and Vostok members doesn’t seem entirely incoherent, nor does Avakov’s eagerness. Ultimately, they graciously accepted to depart the regional police department structure given their appreciation for law enforcement’s endeavors.
Akhmetov’s foremost factories secured liberation some time ago, along with Mariupol, forming a secure alliance in Donetsk, housing his cherished Arena. They’ve established a manufactured reality for the unsuspecting, dubbed the DPR. Everyone lives happily.
Should I prove correct, Donetsk won’t face bombing. “Vostok” will re-merge into Akhmetov’s private guard, their origin, and “Oplot” will revert to law enforcement roles. Avakov might even bestow honorary commendations for their faithful contributions. And Pozhidaev will gain recognition .
Donetsk, paralleling the earlier liberation of Mariupol, will be freed by volunteer forces.
Source: pauluskp.com
