Director of a Russian-language school, priest, and stadium director. All these people agreed to collaborate with the Russian occupiers in Kupiansk.
Oleg, a Kupiansk local, told online.ua correspondent Ivan Hrynevych about collaborators among his friends, getting into the “basement” and the shelling of the city.
Read the first part of the interview: “You spazzed with your “Glory to Ukraine”. A frank conversation in Kupyansk — video
About getting into the basement
Did the Russians really come to the understanding that they were liberating people?
So. My friend grazed goats on the “island” [an area near Kupiansk — Ed.], and the handrails on the bridge leading there fell from the explosion. He led these goats across the bridge.
And so he came to the “administration” to ask when the handrails would be restored. Railings were made on one side, but not on the other side, where he actually led the goats. He asks: “Why didn't you weld here?”
I was also under “administration” at that time. At first, I did not see that there were soldiers standing behind me. And I say: “The occupiers must restore all the infrastructure that was destroyed.”
And the soldiers on the radio station told the “administration”, that this and there, he was shouting “occupiers”. They invited me into the room. And I didn't know what the soldiers handed over.
They invited me into the room, started to have a conversation, ask questions. At least a colonel was there if not a general.
And then he says: "Was born in KupIAnsk?" I say: "Not KupIAnsk, but KUpyansk. If you have already arrived here, learn to name the city correctly and put the emphasis on it". And he answers: "Take him to basement".
We have a heating network here, and they took me to the basement there. But they didn't talk to me there for a long time, 20 minutes in total, because I am a military man, and they are relatively loyal to the military. And I was released.
Just warned. They say: “Don't go to the “administration” anymore, don't upset the people.”
Oleg, The Kupiansk resident (photo — online.ua)
About collaborators among friends
There were many collaborators here, even among my friends, as it turned out. On August 27, they held a tournament at the Spartak Stadium. This name should be changed, by the way.
The occupiers raised the Russian flag on the flagpole and the director of the stadium began to speak. He never spoke Russian, but here in the purest language he said: "We plan to hold a tournament between Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Crimea, "Donetsk People's Republic", "Luhansk [People's Republic]" (these mentioned organisations are recognised by Verkhovna Rada as terroristic ) at our stadium in the city of Kupiansk."
He was arrested as far as I know.
And, for example, the head of the culture department wrote an application for resignation. And left. Now is working, and regaining the post. Clever man.
Their television started working at the beginning of May, and two radio stations appeared. At first, one of their radio stations was pro-Russian, then the second. It is impossible to listen to them. Then they turned on a third FM of some kind, I don't remember the name.
At the sixth school, the flag of Ukraine was removed without the instructions of the Russian "administration", and that school is Russian-speaking. They also removed the flag from it themselves. They are a school of separatists, as far as I heard, and that school's principal is now under arrest.
They were making something there with the Russians. Because I know that the teachers at that school also ran away. And those who were pro-Ukrainian left at a time when it was possible to leave in March.
Photo — online.ua
The Russians shelled the hospital in Kupyansk
There were three very massive hits at the hospital. First through the central entrance to the hospital, then on the corner. There was a terrible hit at the corner. I don't know what kind of rocket it was, then even two patients died.
And the third hit was a month ago. And our [citizens] rebuilt it. Everything was done. Well, someone gave up or something, because our military was treated here.
Probably [someone] gave up [the coordinates] when they found out that our soldiers were being treated here.
Yes, we have such people. And the occupiers see that too. Their eyes are flying drones. Well, there are still people like that [who are ready to help occupiers].
I asked the soldiers if it was possible for them to transmit information in some way because I did not understand this. They say it is possible.
About the collaborating priest
And this church was the “Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate”, but the so-called “Father Serhiy” always said when he talked to me: “I graduated from the Odesa Theological Seminary.”
On June 2, they came to him and talked for about two or even three hours. They offered him something. Then they took him to the basement. He spent one night there, went out and disappeared.
Then there was information that he left for Russia. He attended some courses and agreed to be the metropolitan of the ‘Kharkiv People's Republic’.
When our first rocket landed in the village of Nechvolodivka [a village near Kupiansk - Ed], where the Russians were stationed, and they had 18 dead and damaged equipment, this priest went to mourn them.
When ours [military forces] began to offence, he got into the car and drove away like all traitors.
About the stable trident
The Russians threw mines at those places where they had any remaining documentation or equipment. Here is the customs office. This was their headquarters. Only officers lived here. Here are the “Z” signs, and there will be more. When this building was constructed, there was a trident. They sketched in black.
They didn't know what to do with that trident - there's no way to knock it out, so they painted it over. And then they hung up: "We and Russia are one people."
What would you like to say to your relatives, maybe friends, or acquaintances?
I would like to reassure you that the occupiers will not return here. Let them not worry. All.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have permanently established themselves here. So everything will be fine.
