Pavel Gubarev about his appointment at the position of the head of Yasinovataya region

On 26^th January 2016 the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic offered me to take a position of the head of the Yasinovataya region (including Yasinovatya city). The prior task was designated for me, the former leader refused to perform it. New oligarchs of Yasinovataya carried out new corrupt scheme connected with the railway and gas consumption. I like such tasks, moreover, when oligarchs are involved in the case.

I was charged also to ease social tensions in the city and to start restoration work at destroyed objects, primarily at social facilities.

I think it is unfair that there are people in Yasinovataya who have trade relations with enemy Ukraine, enriching themselves at the expense of people and enriching our enemies.

Several friends of mine told me that this appointment is dangerous; Yasinovataya is a “patrimony” of Hodakovskiy. ‘As if I did not know’, I answered them. It seemed to me that to refuse of the appointment would be demonstration of weakness, and I had to accept the appointment.

To avoid the challenge of Hodakovskiy is come il fault for People’s governor. Moreover, we have People’s Republic, but not feudalism. According to the Constitution at least.

In regard to the order of Alexandr Zaharchenko,on 28^th January I was appointed at the position of the head of the new administrative unit-Yasinovataya region and surrounding villages (the main part of which is occupied by Ukrainians). It was planned my representation to people as the head of Yasinovataya.

We departed to Yasinovataya on 2^nd February. 3 People: assistant, secretary and driver were with me. I knew at about 8 am that ex-leader who does not want to leave his position arranged provocative rally. It is a dirty political technology when “thugs” are involved. When we faced the rally, young sporty people blocked the entrance to the building. I got the e of déjà vu, not so long time ago Ukrainian oligarchs used these technologies to retain the power in the region in the face of the wave of Russian Spring.

Has it really turned full circle? Thugs, protection of corruption schemes….Did lots of people die in Donbass for this? There were about 100-150 protestants. 30 people were too motivated, the rest of them were passive and they took part in order to make crowd.

Several groups were identified: utility providers, workers of education sphere and representatives of the brigade Vostok with chevrons on the sleeves, and workers of machinery plant. Motivated group screamed prepared slogans ‘Gubarev go away!’, etc. It seemed to me that it was necessary to talk to people. It was interesting to me to listen to even motivated people. They concluded to following:

1. Gubarev was not war.
2. Gubarev sat the entire war in Russia.
3. Gubarev is not from Yasinovataya.

I am not going to disprove these messages; in fact, the majority of people know that it is not true, despite the fact that I am not from Yasinovataya.

Let’s look at the biography of former city mayor Yuriy Yanenko.

He is native citizen of Donetsk. He worked in the internal affairs structures of Ukraine. In 2011 he was appointed to the position of deputy head of the internal affairs structure of Mariupol Committee of fight against corruption. He moved to the side of the DPR in 2014.

I am native dweller of Donbass. 17 years from 32 I lived in Severodonetsk (administrative center of the occupied part of the LPR), and 15 years I have lived in Donetsk (since 2000year). However, there are several episodes in my life connected with Yasinovataya, but we will talk about this later.

It was not difficult to know who arranged this provocation. Each participant of the rally was given 500 rubles. Active participants were paid more, however, the loudest people were close surrounding of the ex-leader.

About situation in Yasinovataya: It will be difficult, however we will work and we will handle

1. Public opinion of Yasinovataya is negative in general in attitude to the present authorities. It is possible to gather real people’s rally, however, we will not do this. The reason is not so important, change of official. We will handle this without rally.
2. There is a huge stream of complaints about the current leadership. Basically they accuse of incompetence. There is general tense in the republic with this…
3. There are a lot of specialists in Yasinovataya with who is possible to work in sphere of municipal services, to adopt their experience. There are qualified people in the city!
4. The order is in force and Zaharchenko will not abolish it.
5. It is visible that people are inspired. That’s great! I would like to say that there are no miracles. It will be difficult, however, we will work and we will handle.

Sincerely yours, Pavel Gubarev