UKRAINE: Russian Protestants in US victims of Kremlin's information war against Ukraine FASCINATING!

Taras Boyko interview: Russian Protestants in the United States were also victims of the Kremlin's information war against Ukraine

No doubt, that the Ukrainian events at Maidan have changed not only our country, but also the perception of the international community. The tragedy of Ukrainians have break-through and in fact all over the world, including America. On the perception of Americans last revolution and the local Slavic churches to the Maidan, Director of the Christian publishing house "Knigonoša" and organizer of the International Festival of Christian books Taras Boyko, who recently returned from the United States.

INTERVIEW: As in America, the perceived Ukrainian events? Whether the perception of Americans from our emigrants?

I think over the last six months, the Americans have about Ukraine in hundreds of times more information than the 23 years of our independence. They even began to distinguish the Ukraine from Russia. This is what is now strongly distinguishes the status of Ukraine in the media field. In Boston, the transplants to another flight, the security service found in a bag on the ground, sort of a Square souvenir. When I explained that it was from Kiev, and asked whether they had heard about the events in Ukraine, officer affirmatively zakival head and wished our country in the world. It was good to hear this from an unknown American, usually have little interest in affairs outside of America. Which cannot be said about my friends-the Americans. They are interested in news from the Ukraine from the first day of the Maidan.

In General, American media, Fox, CBS, gave quite an objective picture of events. As for our emigrants, there is one criterion — which feeds looks. Russian watch Russian programmes that form a perception. And this leads to an inability to adequately analyze the situation and creates a lot of problems in the relationship with the Ukrainians. This all happened in the Slavic churches — it came even to serious conflicts.

-I have not personally witnessed the showdown, but told me a lot about them. In Sacramento, a huge community of Evangelical Christians, have emigrated from the SOVIET UNION, dozens of churches. In them there are Ukrainians, Russians, Belarusians, Moldovans, and always found a common language and have lived in the world. With the beginning of this information war in some churches came to that in parking lots after the service between Russians and Ukrainians just prior to battering is not reached.

25 March, my colleague were in Sacramento, and it so happened that were the first living witnesses of the Ukrainian events. Anton Markov from Kramatorsk, Kiev, I was at the independence from day one. The brother, who we stopped several leading immediately phoned radio broadcasts on local radio, we were just zataskali. There were four interviews for the local Slavonic and American newspapers.

It should be noted that Americans are very concerned about this conflict. The Slavic community in America is very large and armed confrontation between Russia and Ukraine creates high potential for conflict on ethnic grounds and within the United States. Sheriff of Sacramento, capital of California, is specially collected the heads of the local Slavic churches in order to prevent the development of conflicts.

In addition to interviews, several churches after the service, I have been asked to talk about Independence. I spoke about the role of Christians, that there were representatives of the, perhaps, all the churches of Kiev and many from all over Ukraine. Many emigrants Maidan is perceived as a revolt against the "legitimate" authority, respectively, is rebellion against God. But the discussions on this topic with emigrants from the SOVIET UNION came to an end as a rule "and the American war of independence 1775-1783. You can also take it a revolt? Udrav from Soviet authorities, which put God, you live in a country for which neither you nor your forefathers did not lift a finger to hit its welfare, but it is quietly using the results of the "riot". Now, when your countrymen turned against violence total corruption and want to live in a normal state of law, you call it a riot, so is sin? "and after the debate ends in many cases.

But when you talked about Independence, have they changed the perception of whether they learned something new for yourself?

— Ukrainians, most of them do not apply to Russians with aggression, we don't see their enemies, knowing that the Russian society assessment of events in Ukraine is a result of the propaganda war that our country, unfortunately, lost. Ukrainians understand that Russia is not Putin. Speaking about the source of the conflict, we mean the only place — the Kremlin, Moscow. That was my main point I wanted to convey to our Russian brothers. Many have asked about how to treat experienced Ukrainian Ministers.

People are absolutely not in chronological order, does not understand what happened, when, and why. In the perception of events at the independence many locked stories with Molotov cocktails, burning by fire, and black smoke from tires. And then the People are absolutely not in chronological order, does not understand what happened, when, and why. In the perception of events at the independence many locked stories with Molotov cocktails, burning by fire, and black smoke from tires. But that was two months before thousands of peaceful meetings, few people even knew. Not to mention the "dictatorial acts", which has become the detonator explosion at Hrushevsky.

Said also that for Ukrainian Christians of the need for the presence of the Maidan was obvious. Because the Church should not be isolated from society, the place where people. The Maidan was going to get the truth, and who as not Christians should testify about the truth and the truth. About priests who stood between the troops and the radicals, about 100 thousand of the Gospels of John, who for months have been distributed to the protesters, the prayer tents, that every hour for three months from the scene was the prayer "our father" and were serving. For believers from the spiritual point of view such facts were serious arguments in assessing what happened. I hope I was able to help someone understand the intricacies of Ukrainian realities.

However, had to face the fact that in some Slavic Churches made it a rule never to talk about Ukraine. We stayed in a family where we were asked not to raise the issue in principle.

— Even at home. They were up to the limit are saturated with propaganda. Like and understand that not all so uniquely, as saying the Russian media, but particularly bother alternative information did not want. Their position was that all, both Russian and Ukrainian, the MEDIA lie and truth still does not know. Such a view.

Also quite popular in America "conspiracy theory" and other konspirologičeskie ideas.

But what really shocked me is the understanding that many Russians-emigrants are in fact "fifth column" in the States. These are people who have moved to a foreign country, enjoying all its benefits and truly despise it.

I also asked this question. The answer almost all the same: "what we have there is nothing there, we left in the Soviet era, we have nothing to return to. While America is evil, it's the masons, they want war, they organized the Maidans. Where did such information, it is the effect of Russian TV. It seems to me the FBI would be interested in the Russian diaspora in the context of its response to terrorism. I see scores of people, it's a ready material for conducting subversive activities inside the country, they have citizenship, they know the language, but their heart is in the hand of Putin.

-What is the situation now in American churches, whether they are divided along ethnic lines? How to respond to events in Ukrainian, as were the priests to move out?

— For the most part Slavic Evangelical churches in the United States are divided on ethnic grounds. This is due to the language of the sermons and Bible translation. These churches are not only for theological and doctrinal differences, but also on subkul′turnym, formal features. If this church is Ukrainian, then at least they have prayed for peace. The bloodbaths.

In Russian churches, people try not to talk about it during services. In one of the churches I have heard the people stood and spoke very negatively about the Ukrainian events. "Banderas", "the right sector is the rhetoric of the Russian media. During worship all pretended like nothing happens. We'd better not talk about it, not to make trouble.

Two months later we returned to Sacramento in may for poutihlo, all became more clear, the temperature fell. Who for the reds — he for the reds, who are white is white. Showdown is almost over.

Yes, in the churches pray constantly. Help financially, clothing. Told that the boxes on the Maidan things sent. But, nevertheless, many are confused.

— How would it explain? America, as defined by my old friend, who has lived in the States for about 20 years, is a country in which people come to turn into a horse. 70% free sleep time inhabitants of the United States devote to work. And regardless of specialty or qualification, you will be earning enough to live as in Ukraine not every entrepreneur lives, not to mention bûdžetnikah or working. Life is pretty stable rhythm. And when you look at Ukraine from the point of view of American stability and comfort, your assessment of the prospects for change. After all, nothing of the kind in Ukraine, and since the beginning of the Maidan and is in a critical stage. But we, the citizens of Ukraine, take it as a given and participate in building the future of our country, even at the cost of such victims. And being on the Maidan, in the epicenter of events, our perception of Ukraine was formed from the particular to the General, from the bottom up. People began to understand the role of personality in the history of a great country, my personal role.

But when you're trying to understand what is happening remotely, without having to know details of the "original source", not taking this personal involvement, analysis occurs in principle from the General to the particular. So you think you're objective, after all, get news and intelligence from a variety of sources, but all apply to yourself, what is your role in these processes, for the majority of Ukrainian immigrants, as it seemed to me, is not defined.

It seems that all is big politics, influence that you are not able to, the individual does not mean anything, everything is decided by someone who we cannot influence. And, of course, this gives rise to uncertainty and fear. But even so, we should not forget that everything is in God's hands. And even if his plans for someone may be apparent, the Bible repeatedly shows us that God has changed his plans for people. Why? Probably because the person with the creator of free will, at some point changed, received his sight, his path had changed.

This is what is happening now in Ukraine. People began to realize the importance of participation of the individual in society. Americans long ago realized and even had time to forget. What is civil society for Americans? They live in it, but do not understand. For expatriates it is a normal country after the Union, and on what principles it was shaped, in this no one involved. They pray, support, finance, but I would call it a major decision next week with patriotism.

— During the evromajdanovskih event I did not meet anyone from "our" Americans, who specially arrived to Kiev, but on some visits coming from Facebook. And just two days I got to know one brother from Florida who back in October of last year, arrived in Kiev after the start of Independence passed the ticket and stayed in Kiev. There is a Ministry of the missionary. This once again illustrates the importance of the source of information.

— These were the magnets, flags, ribbons, purchased in independence, but the most precious is black from burnt tires pavers. Multiple bulyžničkov I brought friends-Kiev. Gifts received with joy, and this offset the excessive severity of my luggage.

— Our countrymen in America the future of Ukraine and concern, to a much lesser extent than us living here. Once they have left and will not be returned, so their roots are there, their future and the future of their children they have with America. Whether someone is ready to leave, my new friend, lives in the ocean and return to Ukraine to "soul ND pulls body" put our freedom, time will tell. But I know that many disappointed with the results of Yushchenko and believe that a cleanse is "hohlâckoe swamp» is impossible without God's intervention. But it seems to me with that no one will argue.

I have tried my best to clarify because I thought very insightful. I have tried to divide.. but it seems to clump together. You can copy & make a simple word document dividing by the lback lines... I think it is well worth the effort. Please enjoy! Taras Boyko is the Director of the Christian Publishing House "Knigonoša" and organizer of the International Festival of Christian books was interviewed because he had recently returned from U.S. Question 1. How does America perceive the Ukrainian events: "I think over the last six months, Americans have learned about Ukraine than the 23 years of our independence. They even began to distinguish the Ukraine from Russia. In general, Fox, CBS, gave objective picture of events. However, Russian emigrants watch Russian programs with slant which caused conflict in Slavic churches." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Tell us about these cases. "In Sacramento, a huge community of Evangelical Christians,have always been peaceful. However, verbal arguments in the parking lot. He was askedto give interviews on local radio radio broadcasts for local radio, churches and local Slavonic and American newspapers. I have been asked to talk about Independence and the role of Christians." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. When you told the Maidan, if they learned something new did it change their perception? "Most Ukrainians do not see Russians as enemies, knowing that Russian society assessment is a result of the propaganda war that our country, unfortunately,is losing. Ukrainians understand that Russia is not Putin. Speaking about the source of the conflict, we mean the only place - Moscow, the Kremlin. People are absolutely have no understanding of chronological event order: what happened, when, and why. Their perception of independence are joined with Molotov cocktails, burning by fire, and black smoke from tires. But few people even knew of dictatorial politics or that two months before were thousands of peaceful meetings! I told about the need for the presence of Ukrainian Christians on Independence was obvious: the Church should not be isolated from society, its place where people are. Especially to give the truth about Maidan, and Christians should testify about the truth: priests that stood between the troops and the protestors, 100 thousands of the Gospel of John distributed among the protesters, tents of prayer that prayed every hour for three months "Our Father" and walked the ministry. For believers, from a spiritual point of view, such facts were serious arguments in assessing what was happening. I hope I was able to help someone understand the intricacies of Ukrainian realities. However, some [U.S.] Slavic Churches made it a rule never to talk about Ukraine.. even at home." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Even at home? "They were extremely saturated with propaganda, but did not want to be particularly bothered with alternative information. Their position was to ensure that all [both Russian and Ukrainian] media lies and still do not know the truth! Also quite popular in America "conspiracy theory" and other other conspiracy ideas. Many Russians-emigrants are in fact "fifth column" in the Statesthat have moved to a foreign country, enjoying its benefits and truly despise it." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. Then why are they still there? "I also asked this question. Their answer was almost all the same: "We have nothing there, we left during the Soviet era , we have nowhere to go back." But America - is evil, they want war, they organized Maidana. What sources is this information drawn, it is not difficult to guess - the effects of Russian TV. I think the FBI would be interested in this Russian diaspora in the context of terrorism. I see people as material ready for subversive activities inside the country - they have citizenship, they know the language, but their hearts are in the hand of Putin." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. What is the situation now in American churches, are they divided along ethnic lines? How do the priests respond? "Mostly, Slavic Evangelical churches in the United States are divided on ethnic grounds due to the language of the sermons and Bible translation not just for theological and doctrinal differences, but also on subculture and formal grounds. If this church is Ukrainian, then at least they have prayed for peace. In Russian churches, people tend not to talk about it during the service. In one of these churches, I heard people stood aside and spoke very negatively about Ukrainian events. "Bandera", "right sector" - the rhetoric of Russian media. During worship all pretended nothing happens. We better not talk about it, that does not make trouble. Two months later in May, all had became more clear." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. In churches also do they continue to pray for peace? "Yes, in the churches pray constantly. Help financially, clothing and told that boxes of things were sent to the Maidan. But, nevertheless, many are confused." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. What is the confusion? "How would you explain this? My old friend who lived in the States for about 20 years, said America is a country in which a person comes to turn into a horse 70% of the time not sleeping U.S. residents devote to some work. Life goes by in a fairly steady pace. Life is at a pretty stable rhythm. But we, the citizens of Ukraine, take change as a reality to participate together in building the future of our country, even at the cost of victims. And being on the Maidan, in the epicenter of events, our perception of Ukraine was formed as an individual to the General, as from the bottom up. People began to understand the role of each person in the history of a large country: their personal role. But when you're trying to understand what is happening remotely, without knowing "original source" details, not taking this personal involvement, analysis occurs in principle from the General to the particular. So, you try to be objective with information from a variety of sources, but the role for the majority of Ukrainian immigrants individually is not defined. They think that all is big politics, and the individual has not able to influence, everything is decided by someone that the individuals not able to influence. And, of course, this raises uncertainty and fear. But even so, we should not forget that everything is in God's hands. And even if his plans may not be apparent, the Bible repeatedly shows us that God has changed his plans for people. Why? Probably because the person endowed with free will of the Creator, at some point changed, received his sight, and his path had changed. This is what is happening now in Ukraine. People began to realize the importance of participation of the individual in society. Americans long ago realized and even had time to forget. What is civil society for Americans? They live in it, but do not understand the essence. Expatriates U.S. is a normal country because they came after the Union, and on what principles it was shaped- so in this no one is personally involved. They [Expatriates] will pray, support finance, but I would call it a narrow-minded patriotism." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. And there was not one person who came to Ukraine to see all in person? "During 'euromaydan events,' I did not seen any of "our" Americans [Expatriates] that made a special trip to Kiev, but have learned on Facebook of some visits. And, just two days ago, I met a brother from Florida, who in October last year, arrived in Kiev on business and after the start of the Maidan was handed a ticket to Kiev. Now, he has a ministry as a missionary. This once again illustrates the importance of the source of information." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. Tell us about the souvenirs that you brought from Kiev. What exactly? "The souvenirs were magnets, flags, ribbons, purchased in independence, but the most precious is black pavers burnt from tires. Multiple bulyžničkov I brought for Kiev friends. All gifts were received with joy, and this offset the excessive severity of my luggage." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. In both States [Ukraine & U.S.], what is the outlook for development? What are waiting on? "For our countrymen in America the concern and future of Ukraine ais to a much lesser extent than us living here [Ukraine.] Once they have left and will not return, so their roots are there [U.S,] their future and the future of their children they associate with America. Whether someone is ready to leave, my new friend, living across the ocean and return to Ukraine "the soul pulling the body" to be with us in our freedom, time will tell. But I know that many were disappointed with the results of Yushchenko and believe that to cleanse this "hohlâckoe swamp» is impossible without God's intervention. But it seems to me that no one will argue with this."

I will try 1 more time.. it worked in private reply email.. here's hoping :) I have tried my best to clarify because I thought very insightful. I have tried to divide.. but it seems to clump together. You can copy & make a simple word document dividing by the lback lines... I think it is well worth the effort. Please enjoy! Taras Boyko is the Director of the Christian Publishing House "Knigonoša" and organizer of the International Festival of Christian books was interviewed because he had recently returned from U.S. Question 1. How does America perceive the Ukrainian events: "I think over the last six months, Americans have learned about Ukraine than the 23 years of our independence. They even began to distinguish the Ukraine from Russia. In general, Fox, CBS, gave objective picture of events. However, Russian emigrants watch Russian programs with slant which caused conflict in Slavic churches." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Tell us about these cases. "In Sacramento, a huge community of Evangelical Christians,have always been peaceful. However, verbal arguments in the parking lot. He was askedto give interviews on local radio radio broadcasts for local radio, churches and local Slavonic and American newspapers. I have been asked to talk about Independence and the role of Christians." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. When you told the Maidan, if they learned something new did it change their perception? "Most Ukrainians do not see Russians as enemies, knowing that Russian society assessment is a result of the propaganda war that our country, unfortunately,is losing. Ukrainians understand that Russia is not Putin. Speaking about the source of the conflict, we mean the only place - Moscow, the Kremlin. People are absolutely have no understanding of chronological event order: what happened, when, and why. Their perception of independence are joined with Molotov cocktails, burning by fire, and black smoke from tires. But few people even knew of dictatorial politics or that two months before were thousands of peaceful meetings! I told about the need for the presence of Ukrainian Christians on Independence was obvious: the Church should not be isolated from society, its place where people are. Especially to give the truth about Maidan, and Christians should testify about the truth: priests that stood between the troops and the protestors, 100 thousands of the Gospel of John distributed among the protesters, tents of prayer that prayed every hour for three months "Our Father" and walked the ministry. For believers, from a spiritual point of view, such facts were serious arguments in assessing what was happening. I hope I was able to help someone understand the intricacies of Ukrainian realities. However, some [U.S.] Slavic Churches made it a rule never to talk about Ukraine.. even at home." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Even at home? "They were extremely saturated with propaganda, but did not want to be particularly bothered with alternative information. Their position was to ensure that all [both Russian and Ukrainian] media lies and still do not know the truth! Also quite popular in America "conspiracy theory" and other other conspiracy ideas. Many Russians-emigrants are in fact "fifth column" in the Statesthat have moved to a foreign country, enjoying its benefits and truly despise it." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. Then why are they still there? "I also asked this question. Their answer was almost all the same: "We have nothing there, we left during the Soviet era , we have nowhere to go back." But America - is evil, they want war, they organized Maidana. What sources is this information drawn, it is not difficult to guess - the effects of Russian TV. I think the FBI would be interested in this Russian diaspora in the context of terrorism. I see people as material ready for subversive activities inside the country - they have citizenship, they know the language, but their hearts are in the hand of Putin." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. What is the situation now in American churches, are they divided along ethnic lines? How do the priests respond? "Mostly, Slavic Evangelical churches in the United States are divided on ethnic grounds due to the language of the sermons and Bible translation not just for theological and doctrinal differences, but also on subculture and formal grounds. If this church is Ukrainian, then at least they have prayed for peace. In Russian churches, people tend not to talk about it during the service. In one of these churches, I heard people stood aside and spoke very negatively about Ukrainian events. "Bandera", "right sector" - the rhetoric of Russian media. During worship all pretended nothing happens. We better not talk about it, that does not make trouble. Two months later in May, all had became more clear." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. In churches also do they continue to pray for peace? "Yes, in the churches pray constantly. Help financially, clothing and told that boxes of things were sent to the Maidan. But, nevertheless, many are confused." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. What is the confusion? "How would you explain this? My old friend who lived in the States for about 20 years, said America is a country in which a person comes to turn into a horse 70% of the time not sleeping U.S. residents devote to some work. Life goes by in a fairly steady pace. Life is at a pretty stable rhythm. But we, the citizens of Ukraine, take change as a reality to participate together in building the future of our country, even at the cost of victims. And being on the Maidan, in the epicenter of events, our perception of Ukraine was formed as an individual to the General, as from the bottom up. People began to understand the role of each person in the history of a large country: their personal role. But when you're trying to understand what is happening remotely, without knowing "original source" details, not taking this personal involvement, analysis occurs in principle from the General to the particular. So, you try to be objective with information from a variety of sources, but the role for the majority of Ukrainian immigrants individually is not defined. They think that all is big politics, and the individual has not able to influence, everything is decided by someone that the individuals not able to influence. And, of course, this raises uncertainty and fear. But even so, we should not forget that everything is in God's hands. And even if his plans may not be apparent, the Bible repeatedly shows us that God has changed his plans for people. Why? Probably because the person endowed with free will of the Creator, at some point changed, received his sight, and his path had changed. This is what is happening now in Ukraine. People began to realize the importance of participation of the individual in society. Americans long ago realized and even had time to forget. What is civil society for Americans? They live in it, but do not understand the essence. Expatriates U.S. is a normal country because they came after the Union, and on what principles it was shaped- so in this no one is personally involved. They [Expatriates] will pray, support finance, but I would call it a narrow-minded patriotism." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. And there was not one person who came to Ukraine to see all in person? "During 'euromaydan events,' I did not seen any of "our" Americans [Expatriates] that made a special trip to Kiev, but have learned on Facebook of some visits. And, just two days ago, I met a brother from Florida, who in October last year, arrived in Kiev on business and after the start of the Maidan was handed a ticket to Kiev. Now, he has a ministry as a missionary. This once again illustrates the importance of the source of information." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. Tell us about the souvenirs that you brought from Kiev. What exactly? "The souvenirs were magnets, flags, ribbons, purchased in independence, but the most precious is black pavers burnt from tires. Multiple bulyžničkov I brought for Kiev friends. All gifts were received with joy, and this offset the excessive severity of my luggage." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. In both States [Ukraine & U.S.], what is the outlook for development? What are waiting on? "For our countrymen in America the concern and future of Ukraine ais to a much lesser extent than us living here [Ukraine.] Once they have left and will not return, so their roots are there [U.S,] their future and the future of their children they associate with America. Whether someone is ready to leave, my new friend, living across the ocean and return to Ukraine "the soul pulling the body" to be with us in our freedom, time will tell. But I know that many were disappointed with the results of Yushchenko and believe that to cleanse this "hohlâckoe swamp» is impossible without God's intervention. But it seems to me that no one will argue with this."

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