Olexiy Kushnier is a 2014 Ukrainian Revolution protester that also participated in military operations in the eastern regions of Ukraine as a volunteer for the Azov battalion. Having returned to Lutsk, he eventually adapted to a civilian way of life; he found himself a job and is currently a student at Lesya Ukrainka Eastern European National University.
March 14th is a special day for Olexiy and his comrades. This is Volunteer Commemoration Day in Ukraine. Having recently agreed for the interview, we are now meeting in a local park. It is in the afternoon. Passers-by are going home from work, while others are enjoying their coffee-to-go.
Our conversation is running swiftly and effectively. My soldier interviewee is concise and reasonable. Despite the majority of questions being about Olexiy, he is frequently bringing up his comrades as well.
‒ There are many dates dedicated to those engaged in the Euromaidan Revolution and the war. Those concerned differentiate between those days. March 14th is Volunteer Day in Ukraine. How is this day special to you?
‒ Any commemoration day connected with the Euromaidan Revolution or the war is a tribute to my comrades. I was lucky to be able to come back, though I always try to remember those who are gone. I don’t know if this particular day should somehow be special because I never saw any difference between volunteers, those commissioned, and those who served under contract and all of us made the decision to defend our motherland, because it was the right thing to do.
‒ Soldiers are famous for having a wealth of traditions and celebrations. Do you have any specific ways to spend this Volunteer Day, such as trying to see your comrades or visiting some special place?
‒ This day is not so long-established for any traditions to have been developed. Things are rather different each time. It happens that I meet up with my fellows or spend the day in the countryside. To be honest, we rarely take part in the formal events that the authorities organize. It is a tribute day to those who managed to justify their commitment. Those people demonstrated how important it is to have an inner will to support the country.
“Going to the war zone was only a matter of time, but I couldn’t wait any longer.”
‒ I have recently had this same discussion with the Military Chaplain Reverend Mykhailo Buchak. He said that it was his inner urge to join those who were brave enough to take up arms and defend their country. Now how could you describe your motivation? Why did you decide to join the volunteers?
‒ There are several points to that. First, my battle started with the Revolution. February 20th was the day when some of my friends were killed. These were the people to fight side by side, and to share food with. We had been exchanging plans for the future, the way we would be living when the Revolution was over. When the war began, I wasn’t even questioning my participation in the battlefield. It was only a matter of a particular way to join. I waited to be recruited yet no summons came, so this was also a matter of time, but then I couldn’t wait any longer. I succeeded in finding a way to volunteer together with my friends.
‒ Is it right to say that the volunteer movement was inevitable after 2014. Hadn’t people been protesting there too? After all, the values and principles look the same.
‒ The Euromaidan event was spontaneous, whereas the volunteer movement is more organized, possessing a strict hierarchy. It is comparable to the units created during Euromaidan. These units happened to be more militarized which operated as defence structures. It’s those units that possibly became a prototype to the volunteer battalions, but not the Revolution as such. Some of those people then joined the army, while others became volunteers.
‒ Let’s talk about the moment you found yourself in the Azov battalion. There existed many volunteer battalions, but you entered this particular renowned combat unit. Was it by chance due to the fact that there had already been many people from the Volyn region in Azov?
‒ That’s true that Azov employed many of my compatriots, but we weren’t the majority there. The battalion was mainly set up by those from central, southern and eastern parts of Ukraine. They called us ‘volyniaky’ (Volyn homies), and we had our separate unit there. We, however, weren’t the majority, that’s what I know for sure.
‒ August 2014 was when Andriy Snitko, another Azov battler and a student of our university, died a hero. Did you meet him?
‒ Yes, we knew each other, and I’d seen him for several times, but we weren’t friends. He belonged to another unit, so we’d never fought on the same battlefield, but we’d met at the base.
“We had expected to come home as winners, but this is not what happened.”
‒ There is a problem war returnees face when they have to accommodate to civilian life. Could you describe your personal experience? Was it difficult to adjust?
‒ The issue is complex. Before the battle in Ilovaisk, we’d been advancing every day. We had expected to return home as winners, but this is not what happened. When I returned home, it looked like nobody was aware of what was taking place back there. I just wanted to shout about those events everywhere. It took me several months to get back to ordinary life. My loved ones helped me, a lot. I found a job and entered the university. Right now, I’m concerned with my self-development, and I’m not afraid of any work or whatever my studies may require. My social media only shows positive vibes, but it’s not that easy for me.
‒ How important is it to return to civilian life for those who were forced to interrupt their studies? Educational issues, I mean.
‒ War entails a full redefinition of everything that happened before. After coming home, a vital rule emerges; it’s about doing only what makes one happy. One may choose a job that is less profitable but presents no burden. Studies can be viewed in the same way. Education is an opportunity for self-development, better jobs and salaries. We gathered at Maidan to replace those in power, and it became clear that there was no one good enough to take their place. It is what my comrades and I find essential about education; people like that should be replaced with those familiar with battle and losses. We need those who won’t embezzle. A very high price was already paid for things like that never to happen again. That is why each possibility to participate in some government program should be considered. It’s a chance for development and a chance to earn more money, which then results in being able to support one’s family, to travel wherever one wants and to take up many other things.
‒ You are studying law at the EENU. Why did you choose this faculty? Was it about your curiosity, or was there another reason for that?
‒ After I’d come home, there was a period when I was actively volunteering. At first, I was involved in collecting goods for those at the war zone, but then I realized there was a large gap in terms of legal matters, and this was the time I was able to begin my studies. I was just 29 at that time, and now I’m 33. Next year, I will graduate.
“Ukrainian youth had never been judged fairly.”
‒ Sometimes, students begin to study while having certain aspirations, but then something goes wrong, and apathy arises. Do you personally see any practical use from the education you are getting? Have you ever experienced any disappointment about the faculty or the university?
‒ Not disappointed at all. I make use of the law to help myself, or whoever may need help. I have a motto now, and it goes, ‘I don’t want it the way I would like it to be, I want you to stick to the law’. Similarly, in no argument do I place my own will above the law. I find it much easier just to refer to the law.
‒ Many are now talking about a patriotic-oriented education on different levels, from kindergartens to schools to non-governmental organizations. How do you view the situation in terms of higher education? Is it possible for a university to become a centre for patriotic upbringing?
‒ In my opinion, patriotic upbringing has its advantages. If a university can provide the necessary resources, let it happen. It is important, however, that this is not confined to just singing the anthem and such. It’s not only about that. A university always has access to various materials and a large staff. It can also provide venues and necessary personnel to organize events. Learning to provide medical aid and how to act in case of an emergency is a necessary function of a responsive curriculum. Tourism is another issue because orienteering skills are priceless. Universities have the resources to approach this in a reasonable way.
‒ Quite often older generations, or the so-called “armchair experts”, complain that young people are useless or simply too lazy to pursue anything. On the other hand, everybody knows that both the 2014 Revolution and the warfare on the East involved many young people, and specifically students. What do you think, does that win the argument in favor of the young?
‒ Ukrainian youth had never been irresponsible, they are just situation-oriented. When a problem emerges, there are always people who are ready to tackle it. It should be made clear that young people have more free time. Many middle-aged think that they have lived their life and nothing can be changed anymore. We, on the other hand, are constantly thinking about how we would like to live in a better environment. It shouldn’t be a country with a different name; it should remain Ukraine, but much better than it currently is. People used to frequently tell us to find ‘some job’, because ‘nobody had made us go to Maidan’. Yet our struggle is not over. Today my battle involves no guns – it is an education I am obtaining, one that can also contribute to changes. We will gain our victory because we are to live in this country. All those non-believers are also to live in this country, and we will fight for their sake as well. It is a good question if they are worth it, but we do not care, because we are all in the same situation.
Interview by Andriy Moshkun
Photos by Andriy Petrushko
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