"Now, if you think Russia and Ukraine are equally evil, try to find a similar story on the Ukrainian side. The closest one you can get is the scandal in certain unit when trained artillerymen were used as regular infantry, because there were no artillery shells for them. "
So the 2nd report in KI describes two cases of drug-fuelled (though not trafficking-related) murders, and convicted criminals (Piotr Kapuscinski) joining the FL.
Not as bad as the Russian story, but way above "trained artillerymen used as regular infantry".
Very glad Kyiv Independent has investigated. Would also have been unaware of these articles apart from reading this post by Eastsplaining that brought forth Roman's response.
Much to study & learn. Before doing so, do note that, in a quick glance at Part 2 of the journalists' investigation, what they showed was so discomfiting to one Ukraine supporter that he commented he was going to step back from his advocacy.
Also bears reminding that the FL is just a small, atypical unit in a large army. And that any army during wartime has its share of "irregularities". See Heller's Catch-22.
Sure. On Part 2 of the 3-part series, a guy named Ralph Olenick commented as follows:
US citizen, 83 yrs old, Have studied all US wars.·59 weeks ago
I just signed up to receive "kyiv independent" daily. One of my first reads was the article about corruption in the "International Legion". It has made me so infuriated to read about criminal activity in the legion, that I now want to help put a stop to it.
I'm 84 years old, a US natural born citizen of Polish decent, and a retired professional engineer. Because of my sympathy for the suffering Ukrainian people I've followed the war there very closely daily. I've been a champion of the West sending Ukraine financial aid and weapons.
Now I feel ready to actively discourage Western cooperation unless I can see concrete results that responsible Ukraine government leaders acknowledge the corruption and action to end it - including the jailing of Vashuk, Kapuscinski, and Bohdan!
I will be contacting my US government representatives about my concern. I will also contact any Ukrainian or international persons or organizations who can help end the corruption if you will kindly send me their contact information.
Thank you for your good courageous journalism work,
Talk about misinformation :) So it's not a part of the article, just a comment by someone claiming to be from "Kalamazoo, Michigan". Written in a very unusual style. Lol.
I am a 91 yrs old black woman from a New York US, who supportyed The Ukraine my entire life, but stopped after reading comment from 83yrs old Ralph Olenick. I believe this is true because someone wrote it on the internet. Thank you for opening my eyes.
We enter the area of nitpicking - I agree it's above "artillerymen as infantry", but I will still insist it's "well below the Russian story". To begin with, you quote regular Ukrainian media, while the Russian story is covered only by some bloggers (the regular Russian media either don't touch it at all or even actively deny anything), Foreign Legion by definition is a specific place, and the difference between a drug addict and a drug dealer is like between a victim and a criminal (etc.).
Hey, Civil Spellcheck Squad here - looks like there are some editor remarks left in the article: “fall / autumn and British English remarks) 😀. Czuwaj!
Thanks for asking, since I don't expect it to be a fortune - it's low on my priority list, so I keep thinking "maybe next month", so the current status is: maybe this October
Your readership might be fairly small, such that it's realistic to expect supporting contributions to be small.
I find, your posts always inform, stimulate, provoke further thought, reflection.
Perhaps Roman Werpachowski should be your writing partner. Believe he has kept bringing up, over time, important angles to consider in understanding things. When you do obtain funds, you might share them with him (in a perfect world, in which pigs could fly) -- as, he should make you do your work (even) better.
"Now, if you think Russia and Ukraine are equally evil, try to find a similar story on the Ukrainian side. The closest one you can get is the scandal in certain unit when trained artillerymen were used as regular infantry, because there were no artillery shells for them. "
There's the Foreign Legion:
https://kyivindependent.com/suicide-missions-abuse-physical-threats-international-legion-fighters-speak-out-against-leaderships-misconduct/ (2022: first report of abuses)
https://kyivindependent.com/investigation-almost-2-years-into-first-reports-of-wrongdoing-ukraines-international-legion-appears-immune-to-change/ (2024: nothing changed according to Kyiv Independent)
I rest my case - "abuse, misconduct" is not the same as "killing because they threaten your drug deal"
So the 2nd report in KI describes two cases of drug-fuelled (though not trafficking-related) murders, and convicted criminals (Piotr Kapuscinski) joining the FL.
Not as bad as the Russian story, but way above "trained artillerymen used as regular infantry".
Roman, you provided links to Parts 1 & 3 of a three part series. Here is a link to Part 2: https://kyivindependent.com/investigation-international-legion-misappropriation/
Very glad Kyiv Independent has investigated. Would also have been unaware of these articles apart from reading this post by Eastsplaining that brought forth Roman's response.
Much to study & learn. Before doing so, do note that, in a quick glance at Part 2 of the journalists' investigation, what they showed was so discomfiting to one Ukraine supporter that he commented he was going to step back from his advocacy.
Can you point to the part about "stepping back from his advocacy"? After a quick glance, I couldn't find it.
Also bears reminding that the FL is just a small, atypical unit in a large army. And that any army during wartime has its share of "irregularities". See Heller's Catch-22.
Sure. On Part 2 of the 3-part series, a guy named Ralph Olenick commented as follows:
US citizen, 83 yrs old, Have studied all US wars.·59 weeks ago
I just signed up to receive "kyiv independent" daily. One of my first reads was the article about corruption in the "International Legion". It has made me so infuriated to read about criminal activity in the legion, that I now want to help put a stop to it.
I'm 84 years old, a US natural born citizen of Polish decent, and a retired professional engineer. Because of my sympathy for the suffering Ukrainian people I've followed the war there very closely daily. I've been a champion of the West sending Ukraine financial aid and weapons.
Now I feel ready to actively discourage Western cooperation unless I can see concrete results that responsible Ukraine government leaders acknowledge the corruption and action to end it - including the jailing of Vashuk, Kapuscinski, and Bohdan!
I will be contacting my US government representatives about my concern. I will also contact any Ukrainian or international persons or organizations who can help end the corruption if you will kindly send me their contact information.
Thank you for your good courageous journalism work,
Ralph Olenick
Kalamazoo Michigan
Talk about misinformation :) So it's not a part of the article, just a comment by someone claiming to be from "Kalamazoo, Michigan". Written in a very unusual style. Lol.
Hello fellow reader.
I am a 91 yrs old black woman from a New York US, who supportyed The Ukraine my entire life, but stopped after reading comment from 83yrs old Ralph Olenick. I believe this is true because someone wrote it on the internet. Thank you for opening my eyes.
We enter the area of nitpicking - I agree it's above "artillerymen as infantry", but I will still insist it's "well below the Russian story". To begin with, you quote regular Ukrainian media, while the Russian story is covered only by some bloggers (the regular Russian media either don't touch it at all or even actively deny anything), Foreign Legion by definition is a specific place, and the difference between a drug addict and a drug dealer is like between a victim and a criminal (etc.).
Yes, I agree about the placement of that story.
I'm surprised Hayden hasn't brought up yet Ryan Wesley Routh...
Hey, Civil Spellcheck Squad here - looks like there are some editor remarks left in the article: “fall / autumn and British English remarks) 😀. Czuwaj!
Apologies!
Perhaps you might explain something: Apparently, you are wanting to obtain funds to support this work you are doing -- except not yet?
Thanks for asking, since I don't expect it to be a fortune - it's low on my priority list, so I keep thinking "maybe next month", so the current status is: maybe this October
Your readership might be fairly small, such that it's realistic to expect supporting contributions to be small.
I find, your posts always inform, stimulate, provoke further thought, reflection.
Perhaps Roman Werpachowski should be your writing partner. Believe he has kept bringing up, over time, important angles to consider in understanding things. When you do obtain funds, you might share them with him (in a perfect world, in which pigs could fly) -- as, he should make you do your work (even) better.
Lol, why on Earth would I expect to get any $$$? I'm just sniping from the sidelines here.
Beg to differ from your self-deprecation, Roman;
but, no, in all likelihood at very best you're not looking at $$$. More like ¢).
I'm not looking at or for anything, and since it's a bit weird discussion, can we please stop it?
I wasn't going to be adding anything more unless you did.
(Recommend TLC. It can help).
There's the famous quote by Voltaire that Prussia is an army with a state. We should promote a bon mot that Russia is a mafia with a state.
John McCain beat you to it: "Russia is a gas station masquerading as a country".