Who Was Alexander Zakharchenko?
On 31st August, Alexander Zakharchenko was killed by a bomb. A look at the life and actions of the ‘President’ of the self-proclaimed ‘Donetsk People’s Republic’ is worthwhile. A commentary by Karl von Habsburg.
To put it briefly: Alexander Zakharchenko was President of the self-proclaimed ‘Donetsk People’s Republic’ (DNR), and died in a bomb attack on 31st August at the ‘Cafe Separ’ in Donetsk. Immediately after the attack, Ukraine was accused of the assassination by representatives of Russia and the ‘DNR’. But where would Ukraine’s interest in Zakharchenko’s death lie? Wouldn’t it be much more in Russia’s interest to eliminate him?
Zakharchenko was undoubtedly no innocent. His unit in the fight against Ukraine was known for making undesirable individuals, including journalists like Stanislav Aseyev, suddenly disappear. His involvement in terrorist activities is undisputed. On the other hand, he was also a negotiator who helped achieve and signed the Minsk Agreement.
However, over the past two years, Zakharchenko became increasingly independent of Russia, and in particular brought the rebel republic’s most important security forces under his personal control. This, of course, also served to consolidate his various business interests. And it pushed Moscow’s influence further and further back. This is precisely where the problem lies.
Situation in Crimea Becomes More Desperate
Moscow is currently no longer on the offensive in eastern Ukraine. The situation on the occupied Crimean peninsula is becoming increasingly desperate, as a proper supply for the population – from Russia – cannot currently be ensured. However, the Russian military is currently massively reinforcing its troops on the border with eastern Ukraine. In the Sea of Azov, Russian ships are obstructing commercial shipping, which amounts to a naval blockade of the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. The danger seems imminent again that Russia will try to militarily fight for a land bridge to Crimea. However, this would require a pretext, and the death of the unpopular Zakharchenko comes at a convenient time. So the question is: Is the assassination a Russian staging for an escalation of the war in eastern Ukraine?
Also telling is the participation in Zakharchenko’s funeral. Alongside the presidents of the unrecognised republics of South Ossetia, Anatoly Bibilov, and Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, the most prominent representative was the notorious Duma deputy Natalya Poklonskaya. Poklonskaya gained internet fame when she was appointed Prosecutor General of the ‘Republic of Crimea’ and was depicted as a ‘Superhero’ in a manga comic figure due to her attractive appearance.
Who Adheres to the Minsk Agreement?
Where would Ukraine’s interest lie in eliminating Zakharchenko? Of course, Zakharchenko is a legally wanted criminal, but it is certainly not in Ukraine’s interest to call the Minsk Agreement into question. Rather, Kyiv is currently trying to urge the international community to uphold the commitments made to Ukraine and, above all, to demand the integrity and respect for its borders, even from Russia. In such a situation, eliminating one of the main protagonists of the agreement would simply be nonsensical.
The article originally appeared on Karl von Habsburg’s website.
