 |
| Borys Potapenko |
A team of U.S. election
monitors, including a leader of the Detroit area Ukrainian-American community, has
traveled to violence-plagued Ukraine in advance of Sunday’s presidential
election.
monitors, including a leader of the Detroit area Ukrainian-American community, has
traveled to violence-plagued Ukraine in advance of Sunday’s presidential
election.
Election monitor Borys
Potapenko, former longtime director of the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Warren,
has said he believes a clean election that earns international legitimacy can
be accomplished in his homeland despite the fighting between government forces
and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Potapenko, former longtime director of the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Warren,
has said he believes a clean election that earns international legitimacy can
be accomplished in his homeland despite the fighting between government forces
and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Potapenko, a Troy
resident, will serve as a translator and facilitator in Kharkiw, a large city
on the Russian border with eastern Ukraine.
resident, will serve as a translator and facilitator in Kharkiw, a large city
on the Russian border with eastern Ukraine.
It was in that region that
the deadliest raid yet on Ukrainian
troops was launched on Thursday by pro-Russia insurgents who attacked a
military checkpoint, killing 16 soldiers.
the deadliest raid yet on Ukrainian
troops was launched on Thursday by pro-Russia insurgents who attacked a
military checkpoint, killing 16 soldiers.
Potapenko, vice
president of the International Council in Support of Ukraine, said he believes the election will succeed in 23 of
Ukraine’s 25 provinces that are largely free of violence, as many Ukrainians label
the pro-Russian forces in the east as largely thugs and criminals.
president of the International Council in Support of Ukraine, said he believes the election will succeed in 23 of
Ukraine’s 25 provinces that are largely free of violence, as many Ukrainians label
the pro-Russian forces in the east as largely thugs and criminals.
In an email message written before he left for
Ukraine on Thursday, Potapenko told me:
Ukraine on Thursday, Potapenko told me:
“The decision to direct
our attention to NGOs (nonprofit groups) in eastern Ukraine and their efforts
to protect the general population on the eve of the elections is based on
regular contact with and reports from civic leaders and government officials in
the eastern provinces. Their information is substantiated by the recent UN
report and local media stories.
our attention to NGOs (nonprofit groups) in eastern Ukraine and their efforts
to protect the general population on the eve of the elections is based on
regular contact with and reports from civic leaders and government officials in
the eastern provinces. Their information is substantiated by the recent UN
report and local media stories.
“(Violent) incidents … occurring
with frightening regularity and unfortunately go unnoticed by the media in the
West. However, it is the brave and determined average, peaceful citizen who
will protect his/her family, property and community that will prevail. This is
the primary reason why the Russian special ops and their hired thugs from the
fringe of society are failing.
with frightening regularity and unfortunately go unnoticed by the media in the
West. However, it is the brave and determined average, peaceful citizen who
will protect his/her family, property and community that will prevail. This is
the primary reason why the Russian special ops and their hired thugs from the
fringe of society are failing.
 |
| A Ukrainian soldier tries to hide his emotions after a gunfight near the village of Blahodatne, eastern Ukraine. Authorities now say at least 16 Ukrainian troops were killed and about 30 others were wounded when Pro-Russians attacked a military checkpoint, the deadliest raid in the weeks of fighting leading up to Sunday’s election. Three charred Ukrainian armored infantry vehicles, their turrets blown away by powerful explosions, and several burned vehicles stood at the site of the combat. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev) |
“In fact, the general
population is disgusted and outraged that the Russian agents in Ukraine
have resorted to degenerates, criminals and mob elements in their
recruitment efforts for demonstrations and the occupation of buildings.
Already there are credible reports that even $100-a-day payments are no longer
able to attract willing participants.
population is disgusted and outraged that the Russian agents in Ukraine
have resorted to degenerates, criminals and mob elements in their
recruitment efforts for demonstrations and the occupation of buildings.
Already there are credible reports that even $100-a-day payments are no longer
able to attract willing participants.
“I believe that US and international media would
be interested in this important, yet underreported, aspect of the situation on
the ground.”
be interested in this important, yet underreported, aspect of the situation on
the ground.”
On Thursday, Ukraine’s interim prime minister accused Moscow of trying to disrupt the
presidential election, which many Ukrainians view as the best opportunity to
lead the divided country out of its crisis.
presidential election, which many Ukrainians view as the best opportunity to
lead the divided country out of its crisis.
The deadly firefight at the military
checkpoint left a gruesome scene of charred military vehicles and scorched
bodies near the town of Volnovakha, about 18 miles south of the city of
Donetsk.
checkpoint left a gruesome scene of charred military vehicles and scorched
bodies near the town of Volnovakha, about 18 miles south of the city of
Donetsk.
Witnesses, including a medical
worker, said more than 30 Ukrainian troops were wounded, with some in grave
condition. Fighting also raged in at least two other villages.
worker, said more than 30 Ukrainian troops were wounded, with some in grave
condition. Fighting also raged in at least two other villages.
A group of 200 American
volunteers is taking part in the election monitoring process. Canada, which has
a large Ukrainian population, has sent nearly 350 monitors and allocating $11
million for their mission.
volunteers is taking part in the election monitoring process. Canada, which has
a large Ukrainian population, has sent nearly 350 monitors and allocating $11
million for their mission.
