Ukraine: "What is there to be worried about?" - Mariupol resident on situation in Donbass

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Mariupol’s residents shared their opinions on the escalation of the conflict in the east of the country on Saturday.

“People are walking around satisfied, happy. They have already survived what happened in 2014. And now they don’t feel such fear because their spirit is stronger,” said one resident.

Another resident noted that there is no fear of escalation of the conflict in the city as “people are just tired of being afraid.”

Kiev and the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics have accused each other of ceasefire violations and shelling in recent days.

According to the OSCE (Organzation for Security and Co-operation in Europe) Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Daily Report 39/2022, issued on Saturday, a total of 591 ceasefire violations, including 553 explosions, were registered in the Donetsk region on Friday.

A further 975 ceasefire violations, including 860 explosions, were registered in the Lugansk region during the same period.

The USA and other Western countries have expressed fears that Russia could stage a false flag attack to justify invading Ukraine, amid reports that Moscow has concentrated around 150,000 troops next to the Ukraine border.

Russia has said it is carrying out planned military drills and that some of the troops have been already withdrawn to their permanent bases, though Western countries have said there is no evidence of a pull-back.

On Thursday, US President Joe Biden said military action could begin “in the next several days” but stressed that a diplomatic solution was still possible.

Moscow has denied intending to invade, accusing the West of stoking tensions.

SOT, Journalist (Russian):“Has life in the city changed in the last week since the active phase of action began on the line of demarcation?”

SOT, Mariupol resident (Russian): “No.”

SOT, Journalist (Russian): “Any fears, concerns?”

SOT, Mariupol resident (Russian): “There are always fears until it’s all over.”

SOT, Journalist (Russian): “Is there tension in the city?” *UPSOUND*

SOT, Mariupol resident (Russian): “I don’t think so. Look, people are walking around satisfied, happy. They have already survived what happened in 2014. And now they don’t feel such fear because their spirit is stronger.”

SOT, Journalist (Russian): “Are there fears that the war might return to our peaceful territory?”

SOT: Mariupol resident (Russian): “There are fears, of course, about that. But so far I see that the media are only stirring up.”

SOT, Mariupol resident (Russian): “We personally don’t have [fears], I think all of Mariupol doesn’t either. People are just tired of being afraid”.

SOT, Journalist (Russian): “Are there fears that the war might return to our peaceful territory?”

SOT, Mariupol resident (Russian): “No, no.”

SOT, Journalist (Russian): “Do you believe in a bright future?”

SOT, Mariupol resident (Russian): “Not in a bright future, but in the fact that politicians are smart people.”

SOT, Mariupol resident (Russian): “It’s still the same [after the beginning of the active phase of action]. Everyone is having fun. Well, what is there to be worried about? It’s been like this here since 2014. Nothing special is happening.”

SOT, Mariupol resident (Russian): “There is some tension, but not much fear. I think it’s just a sabre-rattling from Russia, so no serious offensive…I don’t believe it. There is still some faith in Putin’s prudence.”

SOT, Mariupol resident (Russian): “We were trained in weapons, familiarised with [INAUDIBLE], first aid, civil defence. I think that, in principle, such knowledge is good for people. It is clear that we are a peace-loving country. But in principle, if someone comes to us with a weapon, we will defend ourselves. And in order to defend ourselves, we must meet them with dignity. Therefore, acquiring such skills has been very useful. At least let’s hope for common sense, but there is not much we can do about it”.

SOT, Mariupol resident (Russian): “It just depends on people. Some simply do not pay attention to it [the tension in the region], go on living their lives. I think it is wrong. The situation needs to be constantly monitored. And those people who monitor the political situation in the country - I think, in principle, it causes tension. I think we should not relax. One has to keep a close eye on it. Once again I emphasise, you just have to be alert, you have to be ready”.

#Mariupol #Ukraine #Russia #US #Biden #OSCE

Video ID: 20220219-065

Video on Demand: https://ruptly.tv/videos/20220219-065
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