Afghan war veterans threaten to hold protest during Patriarch Kirill's visit to Chernivtsi

The Afghan war veterans, Chornobyl disaster liquidators and children of the war threaten to block the traffic in Ruska Street, in the south-western Ukrainian region of Chernivtsi on October 2, during the visit of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill to Bukovyna, the deputy head of the Chernivtsi branch of Chornobyl Association, Manolii Zhelieznyi, told the press on September 26, reported Zaxid.net.

“On 23 Septenber, after a press conference of Afghan War veterans, we received a call by which we were informed that the deputy head of Chernivtsi Regional State Administration, Heorhii Halyts, would like to talk to us. The meeting did not take place,” said Zhelieznyi.

According to him, the willingness of the authorities to meet with the Afghan war vets and Chornobyl disaster liquidators was provoked by the announcment of a protest to be held in front of the regional administration on September 27.

“At the meeting with the governor, we will demand that our requirements should be met, the protesters should be heard and social benefits for unprotected strata should be fixed by the law. If our requirements are not met, we reserve the right to hold a protest on the day of the visit of Patriarch Kirill to Bukovyna. On October 2, we will block the traffic on Ruska Street,” stressed Zhelieznyi.

On September 9, the Supreme Council passed the government’s draft Law of Ukraine “On the state’s guarantees regarding the fulfillment of court decisions.”

The bill actually cancelled a number of benefits for citizens who suffered losses from the Chornobyl disaster. It is also envisaged to cancel a number of benefits for citizens living in the polluted zone, medical and pharmaceutical workers, participants of military operations, veterans of war and work.

On September 20, the parliament was to consider the bill in the second reading, but due to the protests of Afghan war vets and Chornobyl disaster liquidators and children of the war, the consideration was postponed.