Ukrainian children divided by war

12.10.2015, 16:21

Ukraine Today meets the families and friends torn apart by split loyalties

The Ukrainian military are continuing to pullback heavy weapons from the frontline in eastern Ukraine. A ceasefire might be in place but the battle for the hearts and minds of the local population in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions is continuing.

One new project aims to do this - by helping primary school children learn through literature. Servicemen have asked for books to help pupils learn more about their country and culture. One soldier tells us he promised some of the local children here to bring them books.

Andriy, Ukrainian serviceman: "I told them that I'll get them books and I did."

In the small eastern village of Mykolaivka, which had been under the control of militants, Ukrainian TV channels were reinstated only a few weeks ago. Before that, militant forces cut off all media except state-owned Russian broadcasters.

Our correspondent questioned some of the local children if they wanted to read Ukrainian books. One boy responded by saying most local school children are in support of Russia and have little sympathy for Ukraine.

Oleksiy Chunchukov, student: "They want to be in militant controlled territory, they hope that Russia will take them. I told them that prices like in Dokuchaevsk will grow, that life is bad there. They still think that Russia will take them and everything will be fine."

Andriy Tsaplienko, correspondent: "Now we're going to see a little girl who really wants to read a book our war correspondents wrote about east Ukraine. We are here in the village of Mykolaivka to give her our book."

The girl's name is Vika and she tells us her father was almost killed by shelling a few months ago.

Her father tells us that the war has made him lose interest in politics.

Oleksander Golovko, Mykolaivka resident: "I don't know who wants to become whoever, I want life to be normal."

His 15-year-old daughter Vika has very strong opinion on the matter.

Vika Golovko, student: "No I do care. I want to be Ukrainian. I am Ukrainian. And we are all Ukrainian. Our country is the best. I really love Ukraine. I was born Ukrainian and I will dies Ukrainian. I will never betray my country."

Even if public attitude is more nuanced in areas which were recently under the control of militants, analysts from European think tanks predict, that pro-Russian sentiment will only lose ground the longer the conflict in drags on.

12 October 2015 Ukraine Today