the military is outraged by the renewal of the stele at the entrance to Donetsk region

Nothing is finished yet, but it has already been painted over, as if it had never happened

Hamster Maria

Four volunteers single-handedly restored the stele at the entrance to Donetsk region. To do this, they peeled off the unit stickers and painted over the soldiers’ signatures.

The result of the work showed in a video in the Telegram community “Typical Pokrovsk”.

“The stele at the entrance to the Donetsk region was renewed. Beauty was given by: Victoria Chornohor, Oleg Borovyk, Anatoliy Shakhov, Kostyantyn Derevynskyi. Thank you very muchand”, says the post in Russian.

But the “update” caused controversy in social networks. Yes, Iryna Tsybukh, a combat medic of the “Hospitaliers” volunteer battalion named such actions destroy the memory.

“It hurts. It was a commemorative sign with super-powerful meaning and history, not just a notice of entry into the area. There were signatures of our brothers who are no longer alive. Maybe it’s so painful because nothing is over yet, but it’s already painted over, as if nothing happened.” – she wrote on the X social network.

Mystkina from Kramatorsk with the nickname “Professorka” supported the position of the “hospitalist” and showed another example of a destroyed stele – in her native Slovyansk.

“This is a stele in Slovyansk, on which I personally painted poppies around the bullet holes. So that it was beautiful, but there was also a memory. Or they could just screw it up with putty and paint, like these “volunteers”. What’s on their minds, I *bu…” – noted a writer

Volunteer Yana Statna addedthat “people go a little overboard with their volunteering.”

“Who asked to update the stele? She was beautiful, wonderful! Our best, dearest. It’s not about a place for a photo, it’s about people’s memory and pain…” – she remarked.

Volunteer Magdalena as well emphasizedthat this stele was more an object of memory for the military than a geographical note.

“This stele is about the indomitability of the Donetsk region. And we will remember it just like that. After all, every millimeter of it is a memory. About everyone who gave their lives for a free Ukraine. About everyone who continues to fight.” – she explained.

Activist Katarina Kravchenko addedwhich is a pity when meaning is destroyed for the sake of a beautiful picture.

“A stele on which were the signatures of the best sons and daughters of Ukraine. All those whose efforts, health and lives keep the front going”she noted.

At the same time, some users of social networks rejoiced at the “updating” of the stele.

“Why should the stele look like a painted entrance?! They did the right thing by bringing it to order. The flags of all battalions were put up, no one was offended. It became very beautiful and well-kept“, – wrote Yulia Vasechkina.

Of the same opinion adhere to mostly Russian-speaking commentators who are happy about “order” and the restoration of the geographical sign of the region. They also call for the creation of another stele, and to “papluzhit” it.

And to the destruction of the signatures of the fallen soldiers who defended Donbas, they react with comments like: “They will write more.”

Volunteer Victoria Chornohor, who painted the stele, says that she does not consider it a monument.

“Thank you to everyone who supports and understands that a stele is not a memorial, a stele is a face in the first place! This stele, thank God, does not take part in hostilities, and the inscriptions of charitable organizations and pizza delivery are so-so.

Of course, everyone has their own opinion and full right, but only the residents of Donetsk region will understand us, for whom a peaceful sky now and life are important. The stele now has a very beautiful appearance – a reminder that Donbas is the heart of Ukraine.”she wrote.