ARTEMIVSK, Ukraine – With fighting intensifying after Russia-separatist forces launched a new offensive in the southwestern Donetsk suburb of Marynka two weeks ago, civilians now struggle to enter and leave the Russian-occupied territories.
A large line of people stand outside the central government administration building of the Ukrainian-held frontline city of Artemivsk. They all have to apply for a special permission to cross into the separatist-held territories. The mood is full of anger.
The scene took place on June 15, the same day that 500 residents from Donetsk’s Oktyabirsky neighborhood gathered in an anti-war protest in downtown Donetsk, ruled by separatists for a year.
The crowds in both place agree on the same thing: Nobody wants this war anymore.
“I’ve waited almost two months to get the ‘propusk’ pass. I can only use this pass to go to Donetsk via the Kurakhove checkpoint that leads through Marynka,” explains 61-year old Donetsk native Vitaliy Ryabin. He hopes to get his new permission quickly but has already lost all his sympathies towards the authorities — Ukrainian or separatist or Russian.
“My wife is sick and nobody helps her. All they care about is to have more blood spilled. They all belong to hell,” Ryabin said, reeling off the names of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Donetsk separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko.
The Ukrainian government’s operations are divided into three sectors — A, B, and C.
The road from Artemivsk to Donetsk – via Horlivka – is part of sector C.
From Kurakhove to Donetsk – via Marynka – is sector B, but, due to an increase in fighting, the Ukrainian military has closed this checkpoint and civilians cannot cross through Marynka to Donetsk, making it extremely difficult for them to find another way to Donetsk. The only other road that is open is from Artemivsk, which lies some 100 kilometers away, if one drives to Artemivsk around the borders of the separatist-held territories.
“The Ukrainian bastards just want everyone to leave (Russian-occupied areas) and then they will bomb it with the help of America!’ shouted a woman, Nataliya, her winked face as red as a tomato in the burning sun.
She just wants out of Ukraine. “I don’t care what you all think of me. I want to leave this fascist territory as soon as possible. Give me that ‘propusk’ and you will never see me back here again!” she said.
Other civilians waiting in line shout back at the woman.
“Ease it down you fat cow!” said a young man, introducing himself as Oleg Barskiy.
He’s also waiting in line for the special permission, but his views are more neutral. “All you people that live there depend on Ukraine, so don’t be hypocrites. Then just never come back here to go to an ATM or buy medicine. Let ‘your people’ arrange that then!”
The tension grows. Two men who support Nataliya step towards Barskiy and threaten him. “One more word and we’ll take care of you!” one of the men said, making his hands into fists.
Two police officers intervened.
“Stop it! It’s war and let us don’t make more war!” one police officer said.
He later introduces himself as 26-year old Nikita Bastrykin.
“I grew up in Artemivsk. I love this town, but as war is at our front door we have to deal with people like this on a daily basis. People with different opinions, fights, and even separatist spies. A few years ago, I had to deal with drunks on the street and never could have imagined how important my job is today during this war.’
As Marynka is still under attack by Russian-separatist forces, the former hotspot of Horlivka is relatively quiet, although the road from Ukrainian-held territory to Horlivka is extremely damaged.
“The fight is over, but nothing is what it seems. Where do you think those tanks are now?” said driver Aleksey who didn’t want to give his last name in fear of reprisals. “The Horlivka checkpoint was closed when the Marynka checkpoint was open. Now, it’s vice versa. So, take a guess where those tanks are now? Let me give you a hint: it starts with a M …”
