A social media post by Olexander Scherba, former Ukrainian Ambassador to Austria, has brought renewed attention to the alleged "mafia-style" execution of two Ukrainian civilians, Olena Kulish and Volodymyr Alyokhin, in Donbas 11 years ago. According to the tweet, the pair were killed for supplying Ukrainian soldiers with food, with Kulish's six dogs also reportedly killed "just for the fun of it." This claim underscores the severe dangers faced by civilians and volunteers during the peak of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
The year 2014 marked a period of intense hostilities in Donbas, resulting in a significant human toll. According to reports from the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations, thousands of civilians were killed and injured during the initial phase of the conflict. Data indicates that the highest numbers of civilian casualties occurred in 2014 and 2015, highlighting the extreme violence prevalent in the region.
Amidst the escalating conflict, Ukrainian civil volunteer movements played a crucial role in supporting the country's military, which often faced logistical challenges and insufficient supplies. These volunteers frequently risked their lives to deliver essential provisions, including food, medicine, and equipment, to soldiers on the front lines. Their efforts, while vital, exposed them to immense personal risk in an environment characterized by lawlessness and shifting control.
The tweet describes Volodymyr Alyokhin as an IT professional and Olena Kulish as a popular radio host and animal rights activist. Their alleged execution, as detailed by Scherba, paints a grim picture of the brutal consequences for those perceived to be aiding Ukrainian forces. The claim of their "mafia-style" killing and the reported slaughter of Kulish's dogs further illustrate the extreme violence and disregard for civilian life prevalent in certain areas of the conflict zone during that time.
While specific details of this particular incident are not widely documented in public records, it aligns with the broader pattern of civilian suffering and the perilous conditions faced by humanitarian actors and ordinary citizens in Donbas during the early years of the conflict. The period was marked by widespread human rights abuses and a devastating impact on the civilian population caught between warring factions, with many losing their lives or livelihoods.