In the east of Ukraine, in the Toretsk direction, soldiers of the 12th Special Forces Brigade “Azov” captured 41-year-old Vasily, a representative Eskimosa small “indigenous people of Russia”. Reports this press service “Azova” January 16, 2024.
According to the 2021 census, the number of Eskimos in Russia was 1,738 people.
To the question what made him come from the distant Magadan region to fight against Ukraine, the man honestly answered that in the so-called “North Military District” one of his nephews died and the second went missing.
That's why he wanted revenge.
Only for some reason, not to the Putin regime, which is guilty of the war, but to the Ukrainian people.
Vasily comes from the Magadan region, where there are only a little over a thousand Eskimos. Its history is a reflection of the tragedy of the small peoples of Russia, whom the Kremlin did not spare in its mobilization campaign.
Despite promises to leave such communities alone, Russia still mobilized the Eskimos, as well as other “indigenous peoples.”
Quote from Vasily:
“We have always been a small people, but the war took away even those who can already be counted on one hand. The Kremlin did not stop at this.”
Destruction of the small peoples of Russia
Vasily said that of his two nephews mobilized for the so-called “SVO”, one was a purebred Eskimo, the second was half. He says that mobilization in Russia affected all the small peoples of the Russian Federation. The Kremlin did not stop that there are just over a thousand Eskimos in Russia.
“Everyone was affected by mobilization, no matter who you are: Eskimo, Evenk, Yukaghir, Koryak (peoples of the Far North – Ed.), or someone else,” he said.
The Eskimo says that in the Russian army, he, like other representatives of national minorities, had a negative and disdainful attitude.
How did he end up in the war?
Vasily was an infantry fighting vehicle gunner operator, but later he was transferred to the infantry. He was sent to positions near the settlement of New York, Donetsk region. According to him, commanders often left him without support, and when captured, their own tried to eliminate him with the help of drones and mortar fire.
What he told the Azov fighters
Vasily reflects that he “has nothing against the Ukrainian people,” but only wanted to free them from so-called “fascism” and “Nazism.” When asked who these “fascists” are, the Eskimo replies that these are people who kill civilians. At the same time, he admits that it is the Russian command that orders the killing of civilians on the front line.
“Now I can no longer say (who the fascists are – Ed.),” says Vasily.
He also spoke about the so-called barrage detachments of the occupiers, who were supposed to “cover.” But in reality, “their own people beat their own people.”
To the question what made him come from the distant Magadan region to fight against Ukraine, the man honestly answered that in the so-called “North Military District” one of his nephews died and the second went missing.
That's why he wanted revenge.
Only for some reason, not to the Putin regime, which is guilty of the war, but to the Ukrainian people.
The Ukrainian military surprised Vasily with their humane attitude. Instead of the expected cruelty, they provided him with first aid and protected him from shelling by their own Russian troops.
Quote from Vasily:
“I was afraid to hear the word “Azov”, I thought that something terrible was waiting for me. But they were more worried about my life than I was.”
Eskimos of Russia: forgotten and mobilized
Vasily said that the Eskimos descend from the Aleuts, who migrated from Greenland through Alaska to Chukotka. Despite their unique history, the Kremlin ignores their rights and traditions.
How did the Ukrainian military and society react?
The news of the capture of the Eskimo caused a stir. Azov fighters emphasize that this captivity demonstrates how the Kremlin abuses Russia's small peoples.
Table: Number of indigenous peoples of Russia
| People | Number (persons) | Region of residence |
|---|---|---|
| Eskimos | 1,738 | Magadan region, Chukotka |
| Aleuts | 482 | Kamchatka, Alaska |
| Nganasans | 860 | Taimyr District |
Eskimos in Russia: history, culture and modernity
Our website NAnews – Israel News continues to cover the most important events related to Ukraine, Israel and global geopolitics. Find out more about how war changes lives and destinies.
Read on WhatsApp — channel NAnewstarget="_blank" href="https://t.me/agencynikk" rel="nofollow noopener">Read on Telegram – channel NAnews ↓ — Israel News