Anarchy in the Ukraine: Interview with Eccentric Expat, Part One

Hoo-ah! Continuing hard-hitting journalism month here at ETX, here's an interview with Eccentric Expat, who is on the ground as an English teacher in the center of the strife in Eastern Ukraine.

This interview was conducted about a week ago by instant messenger. 

English Teacher X

how's the situation in Uraine going where you are? I'd like to interview somebody on the ground in Ukraine.

Eccentric Expat

i haven't been keeping up with the politics of it the last few weeks, but as far as the actual situation on the ground, i can definitely talk about it

English Teacher X

where are you now?

Eccentric Expat

i'm still in Donetsk

or do you mean, right this moment? if so, i'm at home, but about to go to a pizzeria with the girlfriend

English Teacher X

so Donetsk is kind of the center of all this right now, isn't it?

Eccentric Expat

well, the region, although not so much the city itself

the only problems in the city right now are with the regional administration building, which is still being held by the separatists (and is also pretty much across the street from my work)

English Teacher X

would you say most people are supporting Russia in this case, and want to secede?

or is that a small but vocal minority?

Eccentric Expat

it's a little more complicated than that

most people find support from Russia, although at the same time, they want the region to remain in Ukraine

the majority of people are distrustful of the government in Kiev right now

English Teacher X

Have you seen any of these mysterious non-flag-bearing Russian troops that are supposed to be there?

Eccentric Expat

no, not at all

the people i've seen are all locals

even the cammy and balaclava guys are locals

the whole "undercover Russian troops" thing is fiction

at least where i am

English Teacher X

There are some vice.com documentaries claiming to speak to them
and a journalist of theirs was supposedly detained for a couple day by seperatists / Russian special forces

Eccentric Expat

it's possible there might be some in other parts of the region, but not in my city

English Teacher X 

But I'm sitting here in Malta with my girflriend watching the Russian Channel 1 propoganda machine in action

 they've really learned a lot from America about how to make propaganda exciting

every time they show the white house, scary music plays in the background

Eccentric Expat 

in fact, there's plenty of OSCE guys here, and they've pretty much made the hotel right across from my flat their hq

heh no kidding

lol i've seen that myself, we get channel 1 here too

English Teacher X 

they've even got a program on comparing American nukes and ICBM to Russian ones, and saying that America wants Ukraine to launch missiles

It's like those programs they used to have in America back in the 80s, all over again

Eccentric Expat

yeah deffo...there's plenty of propaganda on both sides, though

No doubt

English Teacher X 

Russians seem particualarly fired up on this issue though

I don't think most Americans care too much

Eccentric Expat

definitely true

 most Americans still don't realize that Ukraine is a separate country

English Teacher X 

even some of my foreigner-loving slutty friends in Vodkaberg are lecturing me aobut the CIA trying to take over Ukraine

Eccentric Expat 

i hear that all the time myself from students

 and especially from my girlfriend

English Teacher X 

Have you seen any Ukrainian troops abusing protestors, or anything like that?

Eccentric Expat

 no, although there haven't really been Ukrainian troops in the city of Donetsk

 any clashes in the city have just involved different groups of protestors or the police

English Teacher X 

Seen any Russian nationalists abusing anybody? They took over the city hall, you said
was that violent?

Eccentric Expat 

no, they pretty much just marched in and took it

there's been some violence, but it's been the exception rather than the rule

 and btw, it wasn't the city hall, but the oblast hq

English Teacher X 

Is it pretty much business as usual in the city?

people going out and getting drunk and going to work and going to Starbucks and whatever?

Eccentric Expat

for the most part, yes, although people are definitely fearful of what might happen

for instance, i've had private students cancel classes because of protests going on, although i'm sure you know how flaky private students are in general

English Teacher X 

oh sure, they don't need a reason.

Things going well with the girlfriend there?

Eccentric Expat 

yes, or as well as things can go with a Russian girlfrien

English Teacher X 

ha, yeah

she's ethnic Russian, huh?

Eccentric Expat 

yup, of course

English Teacher X 

well good luck with that

Eccentric Expat

although really, there's very little difference between Russian and Ukrainian women, they all have the same issues

* * * 

A few days after this interview, the Ukrainians launched a major offensive against separatists near the city, involving military jets, bombs, and quite a lot of deaths

STAY TUNED FOR PART TWO!