How to buy freedom by Ukrainian prisoners and not sell the interests of the country: the stories of rescue and remaining in unrecognized territories

On April 28, I was at a meeting with the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andrei Ermak, authorized by the representative of Ukraine in the humanitarian subgroup at negotiations in Minsk, General of the SBU Gennady Kuznetsov and Ombudsman Lyudmila Denisova. And before the meeting, she picked the office along with other members of the Ukrainian Association of prisoners: masks, gloves, posters in their hands, distance. The police of the dialogue - a unit, which usually contacts the participants in the mass shares, has no complaints.

Previously, I believed that I could pull the heroine of my material “Contained City” from the basements of the “DPR”. It is enough to follow the instructions, the main unwritten point of which is a minimum of publicity. Think a hundred times, warn both relatives and journalists, before increasing the “capitalization” of those who have fallen into hell.

I thought. There are no options.

Crime: saved orphans

Lyudmila Huseynova, a resident of the occupied Novoazovsk, the safety engineer of the local poultry farm "MGB DPR" arrested in October 2019. They allowed the convoy to go to work, to inform the authorities and the stunned colleagues, to gather one of the things, to give the keys to the house to the neighbors (husband, Dmitry, was in Kharkov to work). They even gave a call ... “There is no need to come,” Luda repeated her husband. Of course, he did not listen, rushed back, directly to the Novoazovsky department of the MGB, to find out the reasons.

A separate story that is not related to business - as Dima has already managed to avoid arrest and break out into the controlled territory. And about Luda-so far they were kept in the Donetsk “isolation”, a former art object, turned into a torture space-relatives knew nothing: was it alive at all.

A month later, she was transferred to a pre -trial detention center, into a camera with criminals. They made a lawyer. Several political articles were charged, including espionage in favor of the “foreign state of Ukraine”.

Why was Lyudmila Huseynov considered particularly dangerous for the “DPR”, what was she doing? The school of the village of Primorskoye Novoazovsky district, in fact on the front line.

In Primorsky, the most orphans and social orphans from a boarding school disbanded by the militants, which Ukraine did not manage to evacuate. In fact, we met then - thanks to her idea, together to bring New Year's gifts to children. Like, no one abandoned you, did not forget, it just happened to adults ...

The next five years Lyudmila did everything herself. In Kyiv, it was even funny to collect children's things in size through Facebook, toys, sweets, books, etc., come up with the names - “Operation“ Botonochka ”” or “White bags against white Kamaz”. And to pick up humanitarian goods from Mariupol, to drive, like a tank in funnels, the old “Zhigul” in order to be in time at the commandant’s hour, to stand in lines on the checkpoints on both sides, to fall under shelling is only Luda.

“Sign postcards! She asked. “You can’t imagine how at least words await here!”

At school, they prayed for her. She could agree with the director of the poultry farm about products so that the children would eat chicken soup (sometimes with fried eggs). Save the guys from eternal snot, otitis media, anemia, evil longing. To rush to the liberation of the “difficult”, as before, they said, a teenager who was thrown into re -education in a psychiatric hospital. Prepare high school students for admission to Ukrainian universities. The claims of Lyudmila Huseynova, the self -proclaimed children's ombudsman of Ukraine in the occupied Novoazovsk, were also endless to the work of relevant ministries in Kyiv. Not a petitioner of mercy, a completely different type ...

Dmitry, as expected, wrote statements about the abduction of a person to the police and to the United Center for the release of hostages, the structure of the SBU. The documents necessary for the verification of the prisoner “DPR”, I transferred the responsible persons. I was carefully listened to by Valery Lutkovskaya (then she headed the humanitarian subgroup at the Minsk negotiations) and the deputy head of the office of the President Anna Kovalenko, the curator of the direction. But the family did not receive an official answer - whether Lyudmila Huseynov was born in 1962 - the family did not receive for a long time. A large "New Year" exchange took place. Behind him is April.

Previously, I, as a new journalist, sent an official request for an interview with General Kuznetsov on the topic of the release of hostages.

The answer came from the SBU, signed by the head of the department of interaction with the media and the public Elena Gitlyanskaya, where it was reported: this is impossible. Gitlyanskaya wrote: "... as of 04.24.2020, the Ukrainian side as illegally deprived of freedom in temporarily occupied territories in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions is wanted 193 persons."

The despair of numbers is best when you are in the same line with the mother of a fighter who was missing, back in 2014, near Ilovaisk, the wife of a pro-Ukrainian activist, who is brutally tortured in 2017, and with others, up to the period of aged women ...

... - How do we change the wrong ones? The priority categories of citizens of Ukraine to determine, or what? What a finger on the arm is not at the same way, it hurts the same way, - General Kuznetsov did not give up.

“I will transfer the contents of our discussion to Vladimir Alexandrovich,” the head of the office, the head of the negotiator, showed the head of the office. - If new approaches are needed, then they will be. And submit your suggestions. Ah, have you already served?

“I have no authority to comment,” the Ombudsman Denisova reminded others. - I am not included in the Minsk process.

The proposals sounded like this: first of all, to free the military, people accused of espionage, seriously ill and women (bearing in mind that the entire population of the occupied part of Donbass remains hostages); In the working group for prisoners and in the commission on the search for the missing, to certainly include representatives of the association, and under the head of state to establish the position of a special authorized person on these issues. Separately, the wish of the Rada: to finally adopt the law "On the status of prisoners."

The next exchange was expected by the end of May.

Return alive to a reliable rear

Dmitry Vitov, the head of the reliable rear volunteer fund, lasted as the head of the department of the Ministry of Veterans, temporarily occupied territories and internally displaced persons of Ukraine for about two months and returned to the public sector. He could not stand the paradox: they called to work to establish communication with representatives of civil society and media, but it was active communication that created Vitov's problems.

By the way, Minister Oksana Kolyada, a reserve colonel, a participant in the hostilities in the Donbass, also recently changed the status of “ex-” and headed another volunteer fund-with the name “Return alive”. The trend is obvious.

- You say: we need a single state register with all the well -known Ukrainian side with information about prisoners that are located in the occupied areas of Donbass and in Russia, those who are missing, and those who have already been released. And officials repeat: publicity is harmful to business. Are the approaches so different?

- I did not say that the base should be open, this is personal data! She just should be.

At the moment, Ukraine has freed more than 3,500 of its citizens. Some spent several days in captivity, others - months, others - years.

In 2014 and in 2015, they were mostly captured with the front line. The fighters were helped by the commanders themselves or the "exchangers" like Vladimir Ruban, and Medvedchuk cannot help but remember. Then the number of civilian captives began to grow. Since 2016, negotiations on mutual release are carried out exclusively through Minsk.

All former prisoners have the legal right to help from the state, social protection, psychological rehabilitation in Ukraine. But most of them, except for media people, of course, we did not know anything, we don’t know.

Roughly speaking, a dozen was given a dozen to the “that” side, a dozen was returned here.

Well, these people come in instance, where it is necessary to confirm the identity, circumstances of the captivity. And they do not have a passport - there is no money for a minibus. And clothes from someone else's shoulder: volunteers in front of the plane in Kyiv got. It all depends on the official: he will be conscientious or find the reason to “send”, despite the certificate from the security service.

The base of the missing during military operations is only for the International Red Cross. It has 1217 surnames. Unfortunately, alive - presumably - few remained ... The hostages are scattered in small mining cities, where any international observer does not penetrate.

What is happening in those places is difficult to even imagine. The worst form of slavery.

Data on citizens of Ukraine, detained in the occupied territories of Donbass, collects the SBU - through the United Center for the liberation of hostages. Political prisoners who are located in the Russian Federation and in Crimea are the responsibility of the Ministry of Defense and the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense. Each department has its own statistics. Their own, individual bases - among human rights organizations like the "Center for Civil Freedom". And disagreement is not all the trouble.

I was the head of the working group of the so -called New Year's exchange on December 29 last year. He was responsible for civilians, questioned them, led until the moment when a significant part was paid 100 thousand hryvnias. The military was engaged in the Ministry of Defense. At the highest level, everything was done quite clearly. But the information filtered, did not let the middle link upstairs - heads of departments, departments.

- What are you talking about?

- The authorities were closed by the wall from the information: who bought a place in the list for tens of thousands of dollars, what a criminal criminal, who received a deadline for robbery and murder on the “one” side, turned into a patriot abandoned to the basement ( Ukraine does not recognize the Ordlo or sentences issued in the self -proclaimed republics, and the SBU is obliged to accept statements from relatives of all citizens who fell into a conclusion . Ed.

The Ukrainian media listed the facts, called the names, and I will not be repeated. Under the Minister of Oksana Kolyad, at meetings of the Interdepartmental Commission, representatives of the civil sector were also present from our ministry. They talked about such “secrets” aloud, it was a breakthrough. And now it is stalled again.

Heroes. Media and the rest

One of the most famous prisoners of war, Hero of Ukraine and deputy Nadezhda Savchenko from the object of worship to the target for the stake quickly overcame. Periodically gives an interview to the Kremlin media: Koroshenko curses, exposes the Maidan, who has split the country.

Hope is called the broadcasts and television channels from the Medvedchuk pool - to repeat on BIS about the civil war. The loud story around Savchenko’s attempt to blow up the rainfall ended with a zilch, although Nadezhda spent a year in the Kiev pre -trial detention center. I am sure that sooner or later Ukrainians themselves will ask her to become president and lead the country.

Contrary to forecasts, Oleg Sentsov did not begin to build a political career. After an international tour and meetings inside the country, he took up what he promised: shooting a movie, writes books. Sentsov perfectly mastered the Ukrainian language and a little - diplomatic. “I am not a supporter of either Poroshenko or Zelensky,” he emphasizes, clarifying that in Zelensky he appreciates sincerity and is ready to maintain if the president manages to “stop fire and return all Ukrainian prisoners,” and also defeat corruption.

But the answers at a press conference following the results of the first year of the head of state prompted to fluff: "Neither the essence, nor respect, nor recognition of errors."

The Foundation of Viktor Pinchuk, the Ukrainian oligarch and son -in -law Leonid Kuchma, bought apartments in Kyiv by five former political prisoners of the Kremlin Oleg Sentsov, Alexander Kolchenko, Vladimir Balukhu, Arthur Panov and Alexei Sizonovich. Before the war, they lived in the Crimea and in the occupied part of the Luhansk region. Twenty-four “Kerch sailors”, in addition to the status of a participant in hostilities, gave housing in Odessa, in a new complex of business class. Paid the same Pinchuk.

A very special article is people for whom the flour of captivity has become a psycho -trauma incompatible with a peaceful life.

Recently, Anatoly Polyakov, one of the founders of the Ukrainian Association of prisoners, reminded Facebook of the history of Grigory Sinhenko. A student of the Simferopol university after the annexation of Crimea refused to receive a Russian diploma. He moved to Kherson, found a job, but gathered home to Donetsk to pick up medical certificates confirming disability. So, at least, explained his decision to his mother.

In December 2016, Gregory was detained there for contact with the Ukrainian underground. He experienced torture, almost died of lung rupture. At the end of December 2017, Gregory was included in a large exchange. And in October 2019, he returned to Donetsk again to take revenge on the invaders,-Devikix Daenerovskaya District and got caught. Until recently, neither the lawyer nor the Red Cross managed to establish the whereabouts of the guy until the militants announced: Sinchenko fled from the insulator!

Usually, extra -court executions are “furnished” in a similar way. But then on the television channels of the Republic showed a photo of Gregory with traces of burns on his face and an ad: a particularly dangerous criminal is wanted for the abuse of the child. This - translated from inhuman - can really mean escape.

The perseverance with which Poles fights for each “ordinary” captive is about to cause irritation of the office. Anatoly himself spent months in the “LPR” basement fastened with handcuffs, and then in a stone bag, without air and light, for trying to save, evacuate on the Ukrainian territory of cancer patients. Anatoly Polyakov, an activist of Bolotnaya and the volunteer of Euromaidan, a citizen of the Russian Federation in the status of a political officer, was in exchange in 2015. To declare it "Kremlin canned food" is a matter of technology ...

On the information resources of the “DPR” and “LPR”, the number of reports about Ukrainian spies - ordinary residents of Gorlovka, Makeevka, Krasnodon, which MGB took with red -handed, are growing. The exchanges of “all in all” in this situation are doomed to infinity.

“Have you been freed? Well, thank God "

Leonid Mazanko, deputy director for the production of LLC SCIDNID (Vostochny subsoil) - a large group of coal mining enterprises - at the beginning of hostilities in the Donbass took a family from his native Stakhanov to a controlled territory, but he himself continued to perform the functions of the company manager.

The local authorities and the bonzes of the Party of Regions, which organizationally helped the "Russian spring" to get here and turn around, no longer controlled the situation. The power of Stakhanov called a variety of Cossack chieftains with Russian passports and curators in military uniform without identification marks. But the owner of the company remained an important person for the economic, so to speak, relations between the region with Russia and Kiev.

Respect was extended to the top manager, a hereditary miner, a gentleman of "miner's glory." The production was guarded by the automatic Cossacks, so that none of the Bandita Cossacks mixed up and touched, and Leonid Borisovich traveled with the Ataman Grand Diploma.

They also knew on the checkpoints: Mazanko dangles on the Ukrainian side as much as he needs, the pass is always in order ...

- By the nature of the activity, and by belief, I contacted the special services of Ukraine. But one of the officers moved to the enemy, passed intelligence information, ”says Leonid Borisovich. ( The case of the VIP-relocer really took place, then the Ukrainian media reported about him. - Ed ).

Special group "MGB" - FSB arrested Leonid Mazanko on June 12, 2015 early in the morning at the exit of the house. A package on the head, hands in handcuffs behind the back, and to the trunk ... Delivered to Lugansk, presented an article for treason, namely, the “Lugansk People’s Republic”. In the "loner" in a concrete basement they placed as it was - in a white shirt and light trousers.

About a week later, in the same clothes, he gave an interview to Russia 24. The conditions set up such that not to refuse: the life of a loved one at the stake. Apparently, the indicative process was prepared over the "enemy of the people."

Reporter Irina Kuksenkova did not immediately began to ask questions. She portrayed an attentive listener, while Mazanko was simply shot from the back.

“Well, ask,” I say. - "Now". - And then we are silent. Until the operator said: "Filmed!" You can insert any verbal cut into such a workpiece.

Transferred to IVS. They didn’t beat: the insulator turned out to be Ukrainian, that is, with the previous composition of employees and orders - detained with bruise and broken ribs refused to accept. У новоприбывшего дежурный даже попытался найти если не сочувствие, то понимание: «Все время здесь охраняю… Два года до пенсии…» Другой офицер, уже в СИЗО, попутно выяснял, понизив голос, сильно ли накажет Украина таких, как он, когда вернется.

В общей камере уголовники-рецидивисты дали Мазанько кличку Директор. Там он провел девять месяцев. Остался условно здоров и не без оснований считает, что еще повезло:

— Обмен по схеме «столько-то пленных на столько-то пленных» срывался дважды. Киев не привозил тех, кого хотели получить за меня. Нервы сдавали.

Конечно, луганские «товарищи» намекали: решим вопрос на месте за деньги. Но это же практически сразу после ареста ему предложили свои — известная украинская волонтерша, впоследствии помощница не менее известной народной депутатки. Сначала на указанную банковскую карту старшая дочь Мазанько перевела 2 тысячи долларов, якобы для того, чтобы в СБУ немедленно внесли отца в списки на обмен. Потом понадобилось дополнительно 3 тысячи — для подкупа сотрудников «МГБ».

И тут все произошло удачно и бесплатно. Леонид Борисович узнал: стороны наконец договорились по персоналиям. Правда, из группы «счастливчиков» вычеркнули молодую луганскую журналистку Марию Варфоломееву, которую обвиняли в корректировке огня ВСУ и участии в «Правом секторе» ( организация запрещена в РФ . — Ред .). Мазанько вспоминает, какой видел Машу в СИЗО:

— Килограммов сорок пять весила, не больше… Не верьте, что среди заключенных солидарность настолько сильна, что они объявляют: либо всех нас отпускаете, либо все остаемся! Мы, мужчины, опустили головы и прошли мимо Машиной ниши-клетки без окон…

Варфоломееву обменяли после 419 дней плена. За нее Украина отдала помилованного снайпера-наемника из Анапы и гражданку, помогавшую разведке «ЛНР».

В марте 2016 года Леонид Мазанько написал на имя председателя СБУ соответствующее заявление о мошенничестве волонтерши. Дело не расследовано до сих пор. К известной депутатке обратился лично: как же так, мол?

— Приобняла за плечи: «Пан Леонид, какие деньги? Вы освободились? Ну и слава богу».

Сейчас Леонид Борисович Мазанько, поколесив по стране, осел недалеко от Одессы, устроился в такси. У него отличная память на номера машин, телефонов, фамилии, содержание документов и разговоров.

В выплате положенных по закону 100 тысяч гривен помощи ему неоднократно отказано: «Комиссия приняла решение не выделять бюджетные средства Мазанько Л.Б., поскольку нет достаточных данных о его аресте на временно оккупированной территории в связи с его общественной либо политической деятельностью».

Отказ без торга

На попытки Кремля сделать «молодые республики» субъектами переговоров с Киевом, и тем самым убедить мир, что Украина страдает от внутреннего конфликта, а не внешней вооруженной агрессии, Зеленский реагирует так же, как Порошенко: отказом без торга.

По словам президента, Леонида Кучму в переговорной группе скоро сменит Алексей Резников, вице-премьер-министр по вопросам реинтеграции временно оккупированных территорий. Реплика Резникова — «Украину, по большому счету, предали» — и его предложение вернуться из «Минска» в Будапешт, к меморандуму 1994 года, гарантировавшему, но не сохранившему территориальную целостность страны, и вернуться без Российской Федерации, которая нарушила свои обязательства, вряд ли вызвали подъем духа у западных лидеров.

Украинская сторона ставит цель: добиться, чтобы войну на востоке Украины Запад рассматривал как войну на востоке Европы.

Третья договаривающаяся сторона в долгу не осталась. Майский обмен пленными был сорван. На встрече с министром иностранных дел Германии Хайко Маасом Андрей Ермак рассказал о причине: на оккупированных территориях Донбасса отказались допустить Международный Красный Крест в места содержания заложников.
При президенте Зеленском был создан, как договорились месяц назад, Консультативный совет по делам ветеранов и семей погибших защитников Украины. Представителей Украинской ассоциации пленных туда не включили.