Censor.net began to collect interviews for writing the history of the war. One of them is an interview with the Chairman of BP - acting President and Supreme Commander of the beginning of hostilities Oleksandr Turchynov.

Within a few months, you were the Chairman of Parliament and acting President, and even a few days while still supervised by the government. Why we started creating independent from the Kremlin Ukraine?

"We started from absolute zero. Empty rooms and empty Treasury account, none of the officials don't come to work. Do not accept any elementary solutions. All power system collapsed overnight, the Parliament became the only legitimate center of power in the country against the background completely disfigured and weakened economy. There is no money to pay nothing. Taxes are not paid. Some protest against Yanukovych, others to protest against his ouster. The third stopped the enterprise, and those who were prepared to pay, "eagles Klimenko forced to pay three months in advance. The Ministry of Finance some debt, because the last three years under Yanukovych, the country was in debt, all loans were proedures: "IMF", Eurobonds, and Russian loans for refusing to go to Europe. It with one hand. Completely lacked any system of governance. Some fled, others hid. We started with the fact that forced those who had not fled to go to work. In order to revive the country needed to restore the control system.
I was elected Chairman of the Parliament - it was a huge responsibility, it is huge, because only Parliament in these conditions remained the only legitimate Central authority. We immediately 306 votes, restored the validity of the Constitution, which was illegally cancelled by Yanukovych. But in the country after his flight was actually President. This was an important legal point, because if you start the procedure of impeachment - it would have lasted for quite a long period. But in the country it was necessary to make decisions. And do it immediately! Even the law on the restoration of the Constitution had to be somebody to sign, and the laws he signs for us President. And when the Parliament, perezagruzites, creating a new majority, began to work, the same format has not signed laws could completely block the work of the Verkhovna Rada. It was necessary to take responsibility and replace escaped President. The Parliament stated that the President had fled and de facto not acting, and without many months of the impeachment has laid upon me the duties of the President and the Supreme Commander. And due to the fact that no government (it ran), I was assigned to lead and the government until the formation of the new.
I think it may be a dream only people with inadequate psyche that I am some kind of dictatorial powers. Great power, it is first of all a big responsibility. And such huge powers in the absence of mechanisms for their implementation, if there is a deadly threat to the country, is more like a sentence.
What did you think when you got three print?
Despite the fact that it would be three seals and three offices, I was constantly in Parliament. I never went into the office of the President. He was sealed after the flight of Yanukovych and holding there searches, and broke the seal only after the inauguration Poroshenko.
- Don't even go in?
"No, on the Bank were searched, and then the Cabinet is sealed. I had to work around the clock, so I saved time, even on the move from one room to another. Every minute of anarchy worked against Ukraine, worked for those, who decided to destroy it. Conducted in the intervals between sessions of the meeting of the Cabinet, meeting with netbeanside officials of the ministries, because it was necessary to keep the life-support system of the country. Due to the work of the officials I said, "Your fate will depend on how you will work to form a new Cabinet."
Thus around Parliament are burnt cars, crowds of people with sticks and shields go Ulchenko. Among them are the provocateurs inciting a riot. It was a real threat capture and the Parliament, which then, as all the buildings of the Central government, just there was no one to protect. I was appointed Secretary of the NSDC of the head of the defense Maidan Andrew Parubiy. We gathered in Parliament commanders of hundreds of self-defense, and agreed that there will be a dedicated activists for the protection of Parliament. Then, in Kiev, as in many other cities policemen in uniform were afraid to go outside. They were beaten and disarmed. In the interior Ministry building could come to any man and go in any room, even in the Cabinet of the Minister - no one would stop.
- No power and not have someone to protect her?
And it was a terrible situation, because in fact the whole country was not protected. The General staff's nobody in the Ministry of defense of anyone, the security Service is without a leader. Overnight collapsed all that formidable pyramid, which was built Yanukovych and his entourage.
Of course, several hundred self-defense could not ensure the security of all buildings of the Central government. Given the immense danger and the threat of full-scale chaos in the event of a fall of Parliament, I decided to act outside the box. Many remember that the area around the Parliament was a high iron fence, which all irritated. Then many, passing the Parliament, sticks belabored this fence. Realizing that the Parliament is still not protected, I gave the command to cut this huge fence around the Parliament and the fence at the Bank, which was surrounded by the presidential Administration. And people saw that those who work in the Parliament, not going to hide the exclusion fence from them. The voltage on Hrushevsky, the mistrust of the new government gradually began to subside. The dismantling of the character between the government and the people worked. Although there have been attempts to undermine the situation, were provocateurs, ready for the money to blow up their own country, but the Maidan activists were able to contain them. I would like to note that the main force that saved Ukraine from chaos and sabotage in Kyiv and other cities were ordinary citizens who realized on the Maidan their responsibility to the country. They won the fight, then preserved and defended the new government, and now - with arms protect the independence of Ukraine. This stunning self-consciousness and the collective minds of Ukrainians - the X factor who does not understand Putin, who underestimated the Kremlin, and who were not allowed to enslave and destroy Ukraine.
Most importantly, we have formed a strong freedom-loving nation. The Ukrainian nation, which not only defended on the Maidan right to determine its own path, but also showed that they are ready with arms to defend their freedom, their independence.

 - Tell me now in a situation where you have, in fact, the whole power was in the hands of one person. No one in the offices, there is no money. Someone called you at this moment, spoke, saying, "what have you gotten yourself into, you now have undertaken all"? Called, maybe someone from Moscow, Yanukovych?
"No, he didn't call me. I think that in Moscow were confident that what they called "who seized power by force the junta will fall if not in a week, then two. There are no resources, broken control system, there's no power as such. In the regions approximately the same. In some district administrations and municipalities continued to work as officials, but without overall coordination of it all was not functioning.
- What were the first signs that the system began to operate?
- First time I sighed as we were able to form a Cabinet. Because at the same time to manage and fled the Cabinet, and the Parliament and to perform the duties of the President was virtually impossible. I slept in the office, but still cover the time is not enough. It was necessary to run the Treasury, it was necessary not to stop welfare payments, it was necessary that earned tax administration to budget money was coming. Yes, the formation of the Cabinet was chaotic. Before we vote in the Parliament claimed the government on the Maidan. Therefore, it was necessary that the members of the new Cabinet were recognizable and positively perceived by people. And it's not always coincide with the professional characteristics of the candidates.
- How much time it took to decide who should hold these positions?
- You know, just a few days. And we have more time and was not. But when we started to form a government, Russia opened the front began the occupation of the Crimea. Russian special forces seized the Parliament and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. We started to solve one problem, but once a problem has occurred hundreds of times more difficult and dangerous.
- How did it happen that the Rada voted in this moment, it is unclear why, for the abolition of the law "On languages"?
- Yes, it was very timely vote. Because, on the one hand, began the aggression in the Crimea, on the other hand - we blazed up the East and South of Ukraine. The remnants punished Yanukovych first tried to hold in Kharkiv Congress, but was frightened and has spread throughout the country. We had serious problems, in fact, all over the Southeast zone: Kharkiv, Donetsk, Lugansk, Nikolaev, Kherson, Odessa, Dnepropetrovsk, Zaporozhye, Ukraine. Technology destabilization, organized by the Pro-Russian provocateurs was very simple: "Maidanov could capture administrative structures, and we are worse than them - we will also capture". However, many involved in these provocations, did not understand the motives of the far-fetched protests and those grips. For a long time worked in the country propaganda Yanukovych, Russian heated spices: "on " Maidan " bandits", "on Maidan banderivtsi, nationalists, fascists, and that every day was replicated on all controlled channels. Therefore imposed the Russian technologists slogans: "Down with banderivtsi!", "Down with the junta!" - found in the East quite a massive support. Immediately send money from Russia who started to warm up these shares protests. People hinted that Russia will come, all will protect and help you. And in this situation it was necessary to do everything in order to appease the South-East. We had to make complex management decisions. But it so happened that I was to leave on the hour from Parliament to hold a meeting with the remnants of the Cabinet on the restoration of the financial system. I asked the Deputy Parliament speaker, the representative of the "Freedom" of the Novel Koszulinski me to substitute.
When he returned to the hall, I was informed that in my absence voted for the decision to cancel the language of the law. If there was a stable normal situation, it would be no problem. The law Kivalov-Kolesnichenko" we had to cancel, he was not effective, not working, but in this situation, Russia and our enemies turned on the full power of their propaganda machine. They say that you see - they encroach on the rights of the Russian-speaking population. "The junta" wants to ban all speak Russian, etc. For provoked a fire were found new propaganda firewood.

 - Tell me, please, when you realize that you will have to fight with Russia?
I realized this as soon as I was told that the Russian special forces seized the Cabinet and the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. I immediately became clear. Russia, taking advantage of the situation of anarchy in the Ukraine, the beginning of the aggression against us. Remember, just a few hours, I gathered all whom we have authorized to work in law enforcement agencies. Their estimate was very pessimistic: security forces on the Peninsula we have no control over. "Berkut" Crimean and Sevastopol with arms left the barracks and fully supported the aggression of the Russian Federation. After receiving heavy weapons from Russia, they took up defensive positions, blocking the entrance to the Peninsula. That is, many Crimean security forces together with Russia against Ukraine. This coup, this occupation, they began to prepare long before we won the Maidan. Russian analysts understood that Yanukovych is doomed, and the actual preparation of the capture of the Crimea began before December 2013. Conducted detailed analysis of the situation, was studied strategic infrastructure, preparing maps, plans of action, formed a special group from the local population, past military training. And in the Crimea, you know, a lot of officers for retirees. In General, they had to do all of this enabling environment. Already since the beginning of 2013 was an avalanche activation Russian intelligence: on the order increased the number of flights by aircraft reconnaissance Ukrainian border. The reason for this was a temporary flirtation Yanukovych with the EU. It's all Ukrainian secret services were fixed, but it is clear that Yanukovych would not pay any attention. Already at that time the Russian military has been commanded to prepare for a possible invasion.

- What actions did you take, realizing that the military aggression of Russia moved into the open phase? You gave orders for an immediate assault captured the building of the Supreme Council of the Crimea?
Of course, I gave the order to release the seized objects and to restore the legal order. We have collected military meeting to understand what reserves we have. Immediately I gave the command to release the Supreme Council and the Cabinet of Ministers of Crimea internal troops, who were on the Peninsula. Police special forces we use could not as they soon came to the side of the occupiers. Troops came, though without much enthusiasm, cordoned off the premises. But just a few hours to collect a large number of local activists of the Pro-Russian movement, and they are huge ring surrounded our cordon. Internal troops were not ready to perform some serious problems, and they were pushed out of the city centre.
The analysis showed that our Armed forces located in the Crimea, 80% stocked with local contractors, for which the service was just a earnings. And their mood was no different from the attitudes of the local inhabitants of the Peninsula.
Disparate military units stationed in the Crimea, were not prepared to resist the aggressor.
Order to use the weapon when defending military units was given from the very beginning of the aggression. Although for the military, loyal to the oath, such a separate order, by and large, are not needed. They are obliged, according to military Regulations, in case of attack, to defend their parts and objects entrusted to them.
When they began to surrender without a fight military units and ships, acting defense Minister tenoh asked me to confirm in writing the order on the use of weapons. I have signed. But the result was the same.
As explained to the commanders of his refusal to obey orders to use weapons?
- Explained that the majority of their units consists of the Crimean contractors, ready, at best, take a passive stance. But the main argument was that they could not shoot in civil violence. Russians really worked cynical schematic capture units. They were surrounded by Pro-Russian configured local residents and, hiding behind a human shield, in part came in and took them under the control of the Russian military.

- What can be done in that situation?
On the Ukrainian-Russian border have begun to concentrate assault units of the Russian troops, and in fact we had no army. I gave the command to collect combat-ready units, in order to analyze the possibility of its occurrence in the Crimea by our troops from the Central regions of Ukraine. Through the day, which had been given this job, I was told that we 4500-5000 military personnel all over the country, ready to fulfill the order. That was all the Ukrainian army in February-March.
The problem was: the Russian troops were legally in the Crimea, unlike, say, from Luhansk and Donetsk regions. According to Yanukovych signed in Kharkiv agreement, they could have in the Crimea contingent to 46 thousand troops of the Russian Federation. And, worst of all, that the contract was not limited to their movement on the territory of Crimea. As a result, they increased just in a few days its contingent to the maximum possible number.
Remember talking on the phone with Secretary Kerry. I explain to him that we are the occupation of the territory, is really war. And he to me: "Wait, let us understand, experts invite. We're very please, don't shoot, you know, Russians W just waiting for provocation, Russians expect every shot to play Abkhazian or Ossetian scenario. We have to ask extracts. According to our data, says, this is a local problem."
And just when is this conversation that I recorded and put on the table a printout from the Internet, where it is written that the Russian Federal Assembly decided to allow the introduction of troops on the territory of Ukraine. And I say to the Secretary of state that I have reason to conclude that this is not a "local problem"because the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation took a decision to introduce troops, and you know how concentrated the Russian troops along our border. "This cannot be! Information objective?" - asks. Answer: "Objektivna does not happen. They have the Federal Assembly to improvise can't. The troops solution Putin." He says: "I urgently need to report it to his President". Our conversation ended.
Concentration along the entire border with airborne and armored divisions of the Armed forces of the Russian Federation increased. This particular threat was in Chernihiv Kiev direction: in the case of an invasion, they could be in Kiev for a few hours. And we have nobody and nothing to protect the border. Intelligence reported that they are preparing provocations that died in California that killed Russian soldiers who were signed in Kharkiv agreement between Yanukovych and Putin. They were supposed to use as a pretext for invasion. They had worked out a detailed plan of cutting off the Eastern Ukraine in the Kharkiv - Dnipropetrovsk, and occupation of the southern regions (Zaporizhia, Mykolaiv, Kherson and Odessa) with access to Transnistria. The final point plan - the capture of unrest Kiev and restoration of the puppet regime of Yanukovych to cover aggression from the indignation of the international community.
Now there are many "experts"of the potion that had to be done, where the troops to quit. Here they would, they say, showed how he had to fight in the Crimea. Although, when fighting broke out in the East, I'm not one of these "cushions heroes" never saw on the front line.
When in the Crimea, Russians gathered to 40 thousands of his elite troops, supported by a huge number of the local population, and concentrated along the border two army with unlimited reserves, and you "all the way" up to 5 thousand reserve for the entire country, which is not fully protected and open to invasion, the choices are not very large.
To then throw the remains of the army in the Crimea against formally legally placed there by the Russian military would be pointless to bury our soldiers and to surrender to the aggressor country, with no control system or protection system. The Russians were waiting for our mistakes, waited for our fall and destruction, but he did not.
In this situation I took, I think, the only possible solution. Yes. It's my responsibility, and I am ready to answer for it. And even if I now returned in that situation, I would make that decision again. Who would I neither threatened (remember, offered to shoot, hang on Maidan etc), I would still have made this decision.
I needed time to recover from a system of governance that has earned a new Cabinet, earned local administration to restore and equip the army.
I gave the command to pull as long as possible time, keeping the troops in the Crimea, and depriving the Russian offensive initiative. At the same time, announced the mobilization and ordered to lead the Armed forces to full combat readiness.
We regained strength and armed army, the National guard was set. Moved troops to the Russian border and took defensive positions. For the posts of heads of regional administrations in the South-Eastern regions were assigned to people, able to operate in a hazardous environment.
We won the time of preparing the country for defense.
With the restoration of the country's defense had a lot of problems. We had destroyed not only the army, logistics, and system for providing mobilization and, first and foremost, the military. Even the premise of many of them were sold. Restored the system of the military, began to call and teachings of troops in all regions.
Check the readiness of the troops on one of the polygons. Tanks shoot, and from 10 shots somewhere 2-3 hits. Started from anti-aircraft missiles to hit air targets - not a single hit. I say, "what's the problem?" I say, "Well what do you want, they first live shoot". For many years it was common, when during the service, the soldiers sat in the barracks, marched, built General's house, but on combat training was not enough money.
Resources army for the defence of the country was not enough, and I initiated the creation of the National guard, which was formed on the basis of internal forces and strengthened, primarily by volunteers. And most importantly, I asked our citizens to go volunteer to defend the country. Because mobilization mobilization, but without volunteers willing to fight for their country, to reverse the situation was impossible. And began strengthening the volunteers of the National guard, creating spetsbatalona of the Ministry of internal Affairs... So we have one month to actually rebuild the defense capability of the country to a level sufficient to withstand the shock of the armed forces of the Russian Federation.
The famous Colonel Julius Mamchur said recently that it was possible Crimea to protect.
Is an attempt to make yourself a hero. Indeed, he went there with the banner, but even it was surrendered without a single shot. And he, too, was captured without armed resistance. Therefore, it is possible to tell about their heroism, but I would place Julius Mamchur didn't do this. Yes. I did like Mamchur heroes, he then told of the heroism of our military. I had no other alternative. I assumed all negative, and through the media dispersed information about the courage and heroism of our military in order to raise the Patriotic sentiments in the society. The people ought to be proud of, not even firing, not fulfilling the orders of the army. Then another army we didn't have. It is impossible effectively to mobilize the population against the background of curses in the direction of the military, without a fight give their bases, arsenals, planes and ships.
Surrendered the Mamchur, along with other prisoners of war and captured son Gritsenko, I have traded on the arrested us in Kiev several officers of the Russian security services.
- Do you think that it was right to change the hostages on Fsbshnikami or Grouchnikov without trial?
It was war. Russia was at war with us terrorist methods, and every day, waiting could cost the lives of our citizens. We were obliged to release her, once we had the chance. At the same time we were able to achieve major success - we knocked out Russia's recognition that she is behind the hostage, and forced them to take responsibility for people's lives. We made the defense Minister Shoigu to make an official statement that they release the Ukrainian prisoners of war and captured hostages. It was the guarantee of their life. And it was a convincing proof of the annexation of the Crimea by the Russian military, and not rebels against Kiev Crimeans-militias. Once again I would like to thank the staff counterintelligence SBU for their dedicated and professional work. Then they very promptly defused in Kiev Russian spy network. Our counterintelligence confront one of the strongest intelligence agencies around the world, and in this struggle has achieved significant successes that have enabled us to achieve many important foreign policy results.

 - You orders for the evacuation of military equipment?
- Of course. On aircraft with Saki airfield flew a combat-ready aircraft and helicopters, all 10th brigade of naval aviation. I want to Express my sincere thanks and great appreciation for this task in the most difficult situation to the commander of the naval aviation of Ukraine Vasily Ivanovich Chernenko. Unfortunately, from the airport of Mamchur of part 204 of the first air brigade has not flown a single plane. The ships were also ordered the withdrawal of ships from the Bay into the open sea, but the Russian agents in the naval staff (Admiral Berezovsky in the first days of the occupation has joined the Russians) gave the enemy all the information. The Russian fleet in the Donuzlav undermined his old ship that sank and completely blocked the exit from the Bay. That is, in fact, they were locked and could not leave. In difficult conditions was saved a huge number of valuable equipment and military property, which Yanukovych concentrated in the Crimea, and the weapons we immediately turned on the equipment of our army.

"So you immediately took measures evacuation - all gave the orders?
- No, all right to leave the Crimea was impossible. At the first stage I had to stay there, restricting Russian troops. Only after the first wave of mobilization, restoring the army and took the defense along the Ukrainian-Russian border, I was able to give the command to output those who remained loyal to the Ukraine, Crimea.
Those were very difficult days. Imagine the feeling when about twelve o'clock in the morning, the leadership of the intelligence puts you on the table a report like "... today at four o'clock in the morning of the invasion plan on the territory of Ukraine of the regular units of the armed forces of the Russian Federation". And on the list of battalions, brigades and divisions, ready for the invasion. Night. Command post. No one sleeps. All the troops along the border raised the alarm and took a defensive position... Such reports I have received on a regular basis. And it wasn't the reassurance of scouts. These were the real plans of the Russian soldiery. But at the last moment still, the Kremlin did not give the go-ahead for the invasion. They saw that we were able to increase their military capabilities and seriously ready to fight to defend the country. So they decided to blow up Ukraine through regional coups.
Why not caught Yanukovych in Crimea? Because Avakov and Nalyvaychenko, allegedly flew there to make the arrest? There area Cossack Bay late at night, allegedly, there was fighting, gunfire gunfire. What was it?
It was literally in the first few days, as we came to power. That is, there is neither a police nor a full SBU, nothing. We received information that Yanukovych is in Crimea. We gathered from security forces commandos, who came to work and was ready with weapons to fulfill our mission - about 20 fighters. A special flight sent the group headed Nalyvaychenko and Avakov in the Crimea, which had begun to burn. But having an operational work, the field team received information that Yanukovych is located at the base of the Navy of the Russian Federation in one of the Sevastopol bays. To take the fight? 20 people against the Military fleet in Sevastopol? Impossible. In addition, as soon as the Russians learned about the arrival of our group in the Crimea, Yanukovych immediately sent a military boat to Russia.
To finish the Crimean topic, let me give you an example. During the occupation of the Crimea Peninsula was concentrated combat the Russian group of about 40 thousand people. Now there is about 24 thousand Russian soldiers, i.e. almost two times less.
Unlike the February-March we have the army, the national guard under staffed battalions of the Ministry of interior. They all got real combat experience.
But no one requires to immediately throw the troops in the Crimea. Why? Because, despite the dramatic increase in our military capabilities, compared with the beginning of the year, we are not yet ready to knock from the Crimea to the Russian troops. To solve this problem, we must become even stronger. This requires time and concentration of effort. But it will happen!
- When you first saw that you have already some power levers?
- Saw when we were able to knock out the armed separatists seized the Kharkiv regional state administration. It was a real victory, when the men of machardie, the regiment commandos "Jaguar" stormed the building of the regional state administration. Stormed by the people, which were used against the demonstrators on Maidan, they were losing, it initiated a number of military personnel, and many of them went on interrogations. They were accused of using force against Maidan, and now those against whom they fought, give them orders again to use force... And they also had to overcome the barrier. But the threat of Russian aggression rallied those who yesterday looked at each other as enemies. Rallied those who were on the square, and those who were ordered to storm the Maidan. We were able to get out of this vicious circle, when anarchy begets weakness, and weakness begets anarchy. When the Jaguar was released the building of the Kharkiv regional state administration, it has become clear that we can act, and that we can stop the further spread of the coup in the South-East of the country.
- What was the most difficult to stop the Russian invasion of continental Ukraine?
You could find people who could work independently, autonomously, in the chaos, and would be able to repel raiding shares and takeovers buildings. Through proper operational personnel decisions was able to quickly localize the situation in Dnipropetrovsk. And from Dnepropetrovsk very much depends, because it is a strategic region that affect the entire Southeast. They were able to stop provocations and clear from separatists Zaporozhye, Kherson, Mykolayiv region. Burned Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Odessa region. In the Odessa region, after the tragic events on the Kulikovo field, we have changed the leadership of the region has changed almost completely all the heads of security agencies and were also able to stabilize the situation. It was very important. In Odessa we have created a new base of naval forces. We had at any price to keep the main sea gate of Ukraine, it conditions the survival of our entire economy. And we coped with this task.
"Why could not all dysfunctional power structure, all officials, for example, all the police simply dissolve?
- To dissolve quickly, but quickly create very difficult. For example, the Ministry of the interior has many functions, ensuring which cannot be interrupted. There is a criminal investigation, which is struggling with criminals, there is the protection of nuclear facilities, security and maintenance of prisoners and a lot of other work that needs to perform daily. We had no time to change the whole system, which is impossible. We focused on main - on rebuilding the defense of the country, on the creation of efficient units, ready to repel the Russian troops and terrorists. Well, the system, in particular the Ministry of internal Affairs began to change gradually.

- Tell me, how came the idea to create a volunteer battalions?
And I had no alternative. We needed the avant-garde, can close the gap that could not overlap army. This avant-garde and steel battalion for special purposes. Know what the problem of the Ministry of defence? It destroyed over the years. Very active this occurred during the time of Yanukovych. What did the Ministry of defence for all the Ministers of defense, including one of my cranks? Arms trafficking, the sale of the lands, military installations, property, etc. that is, it is Commerce, far from the defence.
Why not break up, if they are not effective?
- Again. In order to disperse the old, we need to create something new. Not in war to disperse the army, and to say to the enemy: "Wait, we're a couple of months will gather a new army". It does not happen. There is a responsibility to the country. And had to be forced to fight those who did not want to fight. They had to be forced to perform their functions.
"And why were such problems with the issuance of weapons to battalions tetraboron and battalions MIA?
It was a new practice. Generals feared, was told that it is their responsibility that they would later be judged, if weapons were to fall into some vague hand. So I had to break. Really to break. Make open depots, be forced to issue a weapon, sometimes it actually took place with the fight, because the system is so distorted was that to make it work and to take at least some responsibility was very difficult. And believe that reforms in the army we will be more than one day. I had no alternative but to appeal to the people and to form the most efficient part of the volunteers. Now we have a military unit and part of machardie and spermatology MIA, heroically protecting Ukraine, which boasts the entire country. The heroes. I gave the command to each Governor to proceed to the formation of battalions of territorial defense. Much as they can. Strong areas two or three were created, and areas where there was less resource - one. But all it did. It was the duty of all. The Ministry of internal Affairs has been given the task to form battalions of special purpose exclusively on a voluntary basis. They were more mobile in this matter. Avakov was able to quickly generate a few dozen of these units proved themselves perfectly on the front.
- When he was captured Slavyansk, it was clear that this is a strategic point of Donbass, the gate. In fact, controlling the Slavic-Kramatorsk site, Russian troops from the Snow could pass for the day and cut all the Donbass one trip. Tell me whether you have viewed the option of an immediate assault, did the order?
- Of course. Was immediately given command of the security Service, which is responsible for conducting anti-terrorist operations in the country, to carry out the attack of captured militants buildings. There were about 150 persons, well armed, trained saboteurs, many of whom were serious training school in the GRU of the General staff of the Russian Federation. SBU on the basis of "alpha" formed a capture group, which covered the company of paratroopers. But they did not understand who they are opposed, and traditionally was driving, you know, as in time of peace we have operations: convoy without intelligence, without protection. They did not understand that the war began, although everyone knew that Slavyansk captured by a group of terrorists with machine guns, professionally trained and well-coordinated... Advanced group "alpha" came to Slavyansk, stopped at the entrance to the city. While interacting with the locals blocked the road, they suddenly fired at the terrorists. APCs paratroopers did not react and did not have time to maintain the fire. In battle, died a heroic death Gennady Bilichenko, captain of the "alpha" from Poltava - he became the first Ukrainian soldier who died during anti-terrorist operations. Was badly wounded commander of the "alpha". About the secretive approach to the goal could not be and speeches. The operation failed, not started.
 - So you gave the order to storm, and has performed as fulfilled.
- Yes. And instead of the storm we got a loss. Survivors guide this operation retreated together with fighters. This was not the format of the educational exemplary operations for journalists on the ground, when in MegaFon tell Everyone to leave the building and come out with his hands up". It was a war. Here megaphones had nothing to scream.
Russian agents simultaneously organized the seizure by militants obladministartsii in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv. The most difficult situation was in Odessa and other regions of the South-East. But, as I said, we were able quickly to normalize the situation there, and Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv regions were included in the area of conducting large-scale anti-terrorist operation. A headquarters was set up ATU, and in these regions directed the most capable force. Russia, for its part, sharply activated the process of increasing the number of militias and terrorists, strengthening them and arming.
At the first stage it was difficult because the local population in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts actively supported the militants.
With the participation of a large number of local people, deceived by the Russian propaganda, became possible and Kramatorsk shame." When in Kramatorsk disarmed our Marines and they without shooting gave the weapon, gave BMD and disgraced, he left. At the first stage angered local residents were, no less a problem than the militants. They threw rocks of the Ukrainian part, living shield surrounded them, blocked the movement, seized the building. Poisoned Russian-yanukovichi lie, they created huge problems. The military leadership, who worked in the area of the ATO was very difficult to make decisions. For each combat encounter had to give a personal order, as if I am from Kiev could see what is happening there on the spot. And when people shout them on the phone: "What are you waiting for? Why not shoot at the terrorists?", I answered: "They are with guns at unarmed crowd of local residents, we can't shoot at civilians". This scenario Russia has worked well in the Crimea and tried to implement in the Donbas. The use of "human shields" for subversive groups greatly complicate our work. But over time, the ratio of local to insurgents and the Russian military began to change.

- Why did you decided to put roadblocks under Slavic, surround the city, and not to go straight to the storm?
- Storm in the city is impossible without great sacrifices and, first of all, among the civilian population. Terrorists had many powerful weapons, and they were covered peaceful people, creating their base in the most populous places in the city, mining residential neighborhoods. To turn Slavyansk in Grozny, we could not, we are not Russians. They surrounded the terrible, and the artillery fired until there's nobody left alive, then cleaned the ruins. We couldn't shoot our cities. We could not destroy all together with terrorists. Later on, the people of Donbass understood that they were involved in the carnage that Putin's Russia im not going to give any help, it is not interested in their future, their lives. They just made them cannon fodder, made them hostages of terrorists to destroy Ukraine. When this realization came to people, they are somewhat differently began to treat the Ukrainian army. At the end of may was quite a different mood.

- When the first time you saw that we are fighting? What day was it?
I, honestly, these nuances don't remember, I had no minutes on reflection, because when you have to work day and night all merges into one endless day. There were days when each hour was the aggravation of the situation that I was obliged to respond. In late April, early may, we had a strong army, fighting the National guard and effective spermatology MIA. The commanders didn't have to move her legs, they began to fight professionally. Changed the mood of many in the Donbass. They understood what was happening in their region. Who is foe and who is friend.
War is war. The problem is, I want to say again that the Russian military clique meanly used deceived by their own propaganda of our citizens. Therefore at the first stage they clearly relied on the support of the local population. The smaller was this support, the more mercenaries and professional soldiers they began to move to the Donbass. In may, Russia suffered a strategic defeat - they could not destroy the Ukraine from the inside, we started to fight back. Coups in Kharkiv and Odessa failed, and then they began to mass transfer at the beginning of mercenaries, who have special training saboteurs, and then the regular army. The most modern and lethal weapons has poured upon our land.
- What was your strategy for the liberation of Donbass? You did not PR, not raised the flags, so the information about your media virtually none.
Already in may in the East we were opposed by the Russian regular units, specially trained experts, who had a full Arsenal of weapons, in some positions superior to ours. Already in may, was captured by our troops first reactive system "Grad" members of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, were destroyed the first Russian tanks. And so for me it was already clear that the time of the roadblocks is, we need to change strategy and tactics. We started to build the front line. And quietly, not piaras, we cut North of Luhansk region. Then I cut off the West and South Donbass. Too quietly cleared site to Amvrosievka. There has also built the front line. And started this line to compress. Slowly, but surely. For me it was very important to minimize our losses, because this is not a war for territory, this is a war for Ukraine. It was necessary to destroy the core of the terrorist gangs - and not allow them to inflict heavy losses to our troops. Our mobilized army had to learn to fight with experienced Russian spices instead of skill. And building a frontal position, we minimized the loss. I'm afraid to make a mistake, but at the time of adding me to the powers of the Supreme commander of the combat losses of Ukrainian soldiers in ATO amounted to 53 people. But for me it was a lot, and I grieved for every loss of human life, considering himself primarily responsible for this. In his television speeches I often there called dead heroes.
I have not seen the ability to conduct a hasty attack with only mobilized and is suffering from many problems of the army. Each offensive had to be worked out in details. Only then I argued. Protecting the lives of the personnel was one of my main tasks. So I dismissed the commander of the 51st mechanized brigade after the shooting of our roadblock under the Volnovaha. The second biggest loss was shot down the helicopter with a group of fighters and General machardie Kulchitsky - a great warrior, a brave and decent man...
You can certainly do raids and capture not having a reinforced enemy garrisons of towns and villages, to raise in front of the cameras flags. But this approach would break the front line, destroyed the logistics and the interaction between parts. But most importantly, created a constant threat environment forward of the units and, as a result, undue loss of personnel, equipment and the loss of important milestones.
- What actions of the Ukrainian troops during your work as Supreme Commander, you would have noted as successful?
The first is the creation of a United front, cut off the occupied territory of Donbass from all over Ukraine, which stopped the further progress of the terrorists. The second clip and free the North Lugansk region, West and South of the Donetsk region, which helped to limit the zone of hostilities in the region. Third defeat of the terrorists in Krasnyy Liman, which helped to destroy the main base of militants under Slavic, ending their supply, and created the preconditions for delivery without a fight Slavyansk and Kramatorsk.Krasnolimanskaya group and take a dozen not fortified towns. But instead, we focused the fist part of the shock divisions of three airborne brigades, and suddenly attacked simultaneously from different directions the most powerful fortified militants. Despite the fact that the Red estuary in mind its important tactical value was fortified and defended by large units of the enemy, our task was, surrounding them, to prevent waste and to destroy. The task was accomplished, the group of mercenaries was defeated. No action is not escaped. We have lost several great warriors, when the losses of the enemy, measured in hundreds of killed, wounded and prisoners. It was also captured all their weapons. The defeat led automatically to the purification and the city and nearby villages has created a springboard for further attacks.
Also note the release of captured terrorists Donetsk airport on may 26.
The challenges were many, so it was not until PR.
What your wife said when she found out that you at the same time the duties of the Prime Minister, the President and the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada forced to perform, in fact, during the war, and that you actually live at work?
- (pause)... She was not happy, I can tell. I three months supervised the staff of the Maidan, and I almost couldn't see. She told me one word: "Hold on". At a time when Ukraine was very weak, I many could only say: "Hold on". We kept the Maidan, and kept Ukraine. So "Hold on" is the word password, opening the way to our victory.

Yury Butusov
Source:http://censor.net.ua