Slovak fighting alongside pro-Russian separatists interviewed

“Driven by an urge to find out the truth about the conflict in Ukraine and to stop the killing of civilians, I ventured off for the east of the country to join pro-Russian separatists,” Slovak volunteer and former truck driver Richard Branický said in an interview published on the website of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic on September 23.

“Driven by an urge to find out the truth about the conflict in Ukraine and to stop the killing of civilians, I ventured off for the east of the country to join pro-Russian separatists,” Slovak volunteer and former truck driver Richard Branický said in an interview published on the website of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic on September 23.

The video footage of the interview can be retrieved from the website (vk.com/pravdadnr_tk). It later appeared on Russian YouTube (rutube) and on the sme.sk website (www.sme.sk/c/7399249/slovak-na-videu-hovori-ako-presiel-k-proruskym-separatistom.html).

“When I saw small children being killed, I told myself that this can’t be possible and it needs to be stopped,” said the man, who introduces himself as Branický in the footage. He went on to say that he left a well-paid job behind.

The Slovak volunteer further criticised the image created by the Slovak media about the situation in Ukraine, saying that he was deeply concerned about the state of affairs in Ukraine and he had been following the situation via the internet.

The man further stated that given the fact that he will be threatened with punishment in Slovakia for serving in the army of a foreign state, he will stay in Ukraine. “There’s no way back to Slovakia for me,” said the volunteer. He went on to urge more men from the West to come to Ukraine.

At the same time, he complained that while there are many foreigners fighting on the side of the separatists, the separatist militia is missing local people. “Where are they all? Why are they at home waiting? When they meet us they ask when the war will be over? Well, [it will end] when we stop sitting at home watching TV... and grab a gun and go fighting,” he said. According to Branický, the situation in Ukraine can’t be solved via dialogue any more. “We need to stop the fascists and split the republic, as it’s impossible to live side by side with the enemy.”

(Source: TASR, Sme)
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.

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