Articles — OstroV

Missed aim, or Why the tenth package of sanctions looks like a blunder

If we use an analogy with shooting, the EU once again limited itself to a warning shot, not even trying to aim precisely at the "bullseye". American "anniversary" sanctions are traditionally broader. But they are not as effective as they could be either...

"After our victory, we will be left with only scorched land and hatred towards those who did it". Review of publications from the occupied Donbas

I managed to see Soledar, but it would be better if I haven’t seen it. Little was left of the city, less than of Mariupol. There were no civilians left in this city, and there is nowhere for them to return to. And, judging by the roar of the artillery, the same fate awaited Bakhmut...

A loss that no one noticed. Luhask journal

The fact that there is no mobile Internet in the "republic" I learned from Ukrainian sources. This happens very often when everyone around is talking about our internal problem, and you didn’t even know that it was a problem...

A year of full-scale war. Results and what’s next?

"If someone thinks that the war will end this year, then these are unacceptable optimistic expectations. We need to prepare for serious trials and focus on the liberation of Ukraine"...

Stigmatization of IDPs, or Discrimination based on registration of residence

"They began to look at me as a potential saboteur and warmonger. Additional checks, difficulties in finding new housing and banking difficulties have returned again"...

Pandora's box that Russians have opened, or The tail that already wags the nuclear dog

Russia opened a Pandora's box, depriving the state of monopoly on justice, the ability to pass sentences and to carry them out. PMCs kill people, not caring about the rule of law, justice, human rights and other achievements of the "rotten Western civilization." Moreover, PMCs do this not only in combat areas, but also in the rear...

Novynskyi: defense of the oligarch

In January, Smart Holding officially announced the transfer of its assets to Step Trust, headquartered in London. Thus, V.Novynskyi formally ceased to be the owner of Smart Holding, although in fact nothing had changed...

A "sacred" ass, or Who and why wanted to kill Rogozin in Donetsk

The nature of the destruction of the building clearly indicates that it was a caliber of 120 mm and not 155 mm. You don't even have to be an expert to see this. Now, let's try to understand the motives and capabilities of those who may be interested in the assassination attempt on the ex-"cosmonaut".

Strength and patience are wearing out. Donetsk journal

All of them are very different from the native Donbas residents. The "outsiders" differ not only in their appearance and peculiar dialect. They swear and litter a lot. They are boorish in public places and treat others with deliberate disdain. Even if they want to show kindness and respect for the elderly, it comes out as an insult...

Zhevago: the finish of the oligarch

The arrest of owner of the Finance and Credit Group Kostyantyn Zhevago by the French police in Courchevel ski resort and his forthcoming extradition to Ukraine may speed up the return of money stolen from the state. Prior to this, the process had been strangely stagnating for several years...

Tired of lies. Donetsk journal

During the raid, about 30 items with exorbitant prices were recorded compared to the Rostov oblast. Mostly vegetables and meat. Pushilin thoughtfully concluded: "As far as I understand, there is only the difference in the logistics that should remain due to the more expensive products’ transportation caused by an extra downtime at the border...

"We are preparing for the AFU entry. This is a matter of time". What people in Crimea say about the peninsula de-occupation

How did we get to the point where we are seriously discussing the possibility of the AFU entry? Has anyone talked about it before February 24, 2022? No. We discussed problems with roads, prices, tourism business and so on. Now our main issue is to survive...

Is the end of the war near? Forecasts for 2023 from military experts

The main question that worries Ukrainians today is whether it will end this year. Some experts and government officials predict a new large-scale offensive by russian troops and a war for years, others – a victory and a 2023 beach season in the de-occupied Crimea...

Serhiy Harmash: Next year for Donbas will be the most difficult in its history

That's why they will continue to kill Donetsk. On one side of the scale is putin's victory in the war, on the other are the people of Donetsk. What do you think he will choose? If the West stops or even reduces the supply...

Gas capitulation: how the EU helped putin

This allowed Gazprom to cover with a vengeance the losses from the decline in exports in physical terms. So, according to the results of the first half of the year, the corporation reported a record profit of 2.5 trillion rubles. This is 2.6 times more than in the same period in 2021...

Stockholm syndrome. Donetsk journal

There have been no passers-by slowly strolling through parks or boulevards since summer. And in recent weeks, there have definitely been more people in camouflage than ordinary civilians on the streets...

Refugees: stay do not leave

The longer the war lasts, the fewer refugees will want to return to Ukraine afterwards. But, of course, not everything will depend on their desire. An equally important factor is the policy of host governments and how much they are interested in the refugees to stay there.

The city became crowded. Donetsk journal

There have been noticeably more people in Donetsk in the past few weeks. All supermarket checkouts are now open, as it was before the summer of 2014. And these newcomers are definitely not IDPs from small towns of the "DNR" or the ones that were "evacuated" from the war zone....

National security. Who and why did Zelensky nationalize?

PJSC Ukrnafta, PJSC Ukrtatnafta, PrJSC Zaporizhtransformator, PJSC Motor Sich and PrJSC AvtoKrAZ passed to the management of the Ministry of Defense. Previously, these companies were owned by 3 oligarchs and a "red director". With regard to each of these assets, the country's leadership had its own considerations, which are discussed below...

They are happy about blackouts in Kyiv, while they don’t have heating themselves. Donetsk journal

It is still not clear what will the situation with the central heating be. The perspective is not bright at all. Sooner than later, the temperature will drop below zero degrees Celsius, and if the system is defrosted, the pipes will burst, and Donetsk may become a second Alchevsk...