The article by historian Kirill Alexandrov about Bandera is recognized as an extremist

The article by historian Kirill Alexandrov “Bandera and Bandera: who they were actually” recognized as extremist. It was published in Novaya Gazeta in 2014. Experts from the Russian Pedagogical University named after Herzen discovered an excuse for war crimes in the article. On this basis, the city court decided to block the article, confirming the previously made decision of the Leninsky District Court.

Natela Ponomarev’s lawyer does not agree with this decision. She is outraged that the experts did not find in the article neither the propaganda of national superiority, ideas of terrorism or Nazi symbols, nor calls to overthrow the constitutional system of Russia, but still recognized it as extremist. They made their conclusion that the article justifies war crimes, they made only on the grounds that Alexandrov expresses doubts about the cooperation of Bandera supporters with the Nazis, and also gives objective information about Bandera’s childhood and youth, which, from their point of view, can cause sympathy among readers.

Historian Andrei Zubov states that an article about Bandera and Bandera was written by Kirill Alexandrov on the basis of a report on anti -communist resistance in Ukraine during and after the Second World War, which he read at the request of Zubov as part of his history department in Novaya Gazeta. Andrei Zubov emphasizes that he edited this article, preparing it for publication in Novaya Gazeta, and therefore brings full responsibility for it on a par with the author.

Natela Ponomarev’s lawyer considers the situation unacceptable when one scientist freely expresses his opinion on the topic of interest to him, while other scientists, considering his opinion incorrect, find signs of extremism in his words. It looks especially alarming in such a field as a story where it is often difficult to establish accurate facts, and therefore different opinions, reasoning and hypotheses are allowed. When the motivating part of the court order is received, it will be appealed.