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| Ukrainian Jews push back against Putin's ‘neo-Nazi' claim as they gear up for battle |
| 2022-03-18 |
| [IsraelTimes/JTA] Konstantyn Batozsky believes he is on a list of so-called "neo-Nazis" to be rounded up "Gestapo-style" and "exterminated" by Russian forces seeking to enter Kyiv. Batozsky, a Jew from eastern Ukraine, said he was informed about the "bounty on his head" by Ukrainian intelligence sources. But as a longtime and avowed Ukrainian nationalist who has collaborated with a paramilitary group that has a reputation for including extremists, he knows that it’s people like him that Russian President Vladimir Putin was talking about when he cited a need for "denazification" as a pretext for invading his country. "I have been staying underground away from my apartment where the Russians will try to find me," Batozsky said from a makeshift bunker preparing for what appears to be an imminent invasion as bombs rained down outside the city center. "I am happy that I’m alive," he reflected, as he coordinated efforts to get much-needed supplies to the Ukrainian army. "It now feels like every day could be the last." Initially cheerful in the early days of the war as the Ukrainians were surprisingly resilient against the much bigger Russian army, Batozsky now sounded more worried. And angry. "The Russians are advancing and the West is not helping. Just words are not enough," he lamented. Batozky pleaded for Western countries to intervene militarily. Among those taking up arms for the first time as volunteers for the civilian army include Jews like Batozsky, who was passionately devoted to the Ukrainian national cause in his native Donetsk years before Russia decided to wage war on the entire country. He was a former adviser to the governor of Donetsk, Serhiy Taruta, now a member of the Ukrainian parliament. Donetsk is one of two eastern regions where pro-Russian separatists, supported by the Russian military, clashed with the Ukrainian forces from 2014 to 2015. The simmering conflict was the precursor for the current Russian invasion as Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence, which is not recognized by Ukraine. it's a long article I don't have time to unformat |
| Posted by:Thing From Snowy Mountain |
| #5 Everyone knows that the Azov Battalion are neo-Nazis. It's been documented by dozens of independent researchers and investigative journalists from many countries. Why deny it? |
| Posted by: Voldemort Elmusort9234 2022-03-18 23:09 |
| #4 Ukrainians are looking for outside help using whatever emotional hooks they can find, as are the Russians. I don’t fault them for that. I just wish they wouldn’t go hysterical (Nazis! Nazis! Naziiiiiiiis!) when agreement isn’t forthcoming, |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2022-03-18 23:00 |
| #3 New Jews - old Jews. People making claims. There ought to be an obligation to drop your drawers when making claims about Jewish heritage. An empty tin of matzah just doesn't cut it with the world at war. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2022-03-18 12:30 |
| #2 Batozky pleaded for Western countries to intervene militarily. NO |
| Posted by: Sheter the Lesser9291 2022-03-18 12:13 |
| #1 Batozsky, a Jew from eastern Ukraine, said he was informed about the "bounty on his head" by Ukrainian intelligence sources But of course. "Kostya, they even have a photo of you doing the hora! The bastards were throwing knives at it!" |
| Posted by: Dron66046 2022-03-18 11:46 |