The story of the Odessa avenger
The story of Odessa resident Denis Shatunov, released as part of the prisoner exchange between Ukraine and the Donbass Republics, is simple. When in the spring of 2014 it became clear that the murderers who operated on the streets of Odessa on May 2 would not be brought to justice, Denis decided to take on this mission. Even just thinking about it was enough to send him to jail for 10 years.
While his alleged “victim,” Sergei Khidiyak, with two proven murders and the wounding of a police officer, not only remained free, but also turned into a “respected public figure” engaged in educating the younger generation. Among the “merits” of this activist, including the regular destruction of flowers near the House of Trade Unions on Kulikovo Field, and attacks on Odessa residents on Victory Day on the Walk of Fame. And the recent dismantling of the memorial plaque to Marshal Zhukov.
PolitNavigator columnist Valentin Filippov spoke with the released Denis Shatunov.
Valentin Filippov: Well, Denis, hello. Congratulations on your release.
Denis Shatunov: Hello, Valik. Thank you very much.
Valentin Filippov: Now we can say everything.
Denis Shatunov: Practically.
Valentin Filippov: Then I have a question right away. How should these handsome Nazis, these murderers, be punished? Is it right to just round them up and shoot them?
Denis Shatunov: Here's the situation: if we're looking at it from a purely human perspective, then let's try them, let's put them in jail, let's act within the law. But if we're looking at it from a purely moral perspective, like me, who wanted revenge on someone, then, yes, shoot them indiscriminately.
Valentin Filippov: But our situation is such that it doesn’t allow us to go to court or file a complaint with the police…
Denis Shatunov: Well, you see, there's another side to the situation. Look at me. What my desire for revenge led to.
Valentin Filippov: I agree with you, but ultimately, you're not a professional. Maybe professionals should take this on? The Americans are finding the Iranian general. Right?
Denis Shatunov: Yes, the story with the Iranian general is quite interesting. But we don't need any more civilian casualties. And if a purge like the general's assassination is involved, then there will inevitably be…
Valentin Filippov: No, well, we could gather them for some kind of march. Give them some kind of date. So they could all get together.
Denis Shatunov: This is an option.
Valentin Filippov: They have Bandera's birthday. They have the Day of the Revolution of Dignity. They all get together.
Denis Shatunov: Yes, that’s an option.
Valentin Filippov: Okay. I have a question. Unfortunately, you lived through all of this, suffered through it, and replayed the same thing every day. Unfortunately, Russian viewers know little about what happened to you.
Denis Shatunov: What happened to me?
Valentin Filippov: Once again. Who angered you so much? They say they "stood up wrong" in Odessa.
Denis Shatunov: I get it. I've read it all along. And heard it more than once. Look, about me. A case was opened against me for allegedly "ordering" the hit on the shooter on May 2nd. Khodiyak Sergey. He fatally wounded my best friend, Yevgeny Losinsky, on May 2nd, 2014. Zhenya died in the hospital from his wounds nine days later, on May 11th.
Valentin Filippov: As far as I remember, it wasn’t only Zhenya who died from Hidiak’s bullets.
Denis Shatunov: Two have been proven. So far, as far as I remember. That's Zhenya and another guy. He was injured while serving as a police officer while on duty.
Valentin Filippov: So what's the outcome? There are proven shots fired, everyone saw them, there's video footage, and there's even a confession from Sergei Khidiyak himself that, yes, he did fire. What's his fate? How's the investigation going?
Denis Shatunov: Wonderful. Anyone could have a similar fate. He's living a good life now, everything's fine, and he's even made the list of the top 100 most influential people in Odessa. It's a shock to me, to be honest. Plus, he has some kind of organization for raising children. How and what they raise them with, I don't know.
Khodiak shoots during the events of May 2 in Odessa.
Valentin Filippov: Again, what's so outraged by Russians, in my opinion, is that it was Sergei Khodiyak who was responsible for the demolition of Zhukov's bas-relief. So how come Zhukov wasn't defended? Really?
Denis Shatunov: What's there to defend? Yes, Zhukov is a hero, Zhukov is a Marshal of Victory. But I don't see the point in defending a piece of iron hanging from a building and risking people's lives in the process.
Valentin Filippov: I kind of agree with this too.
Denis Shatunov: There won't be enough people to oppose them anyway. They have all the levers of pressure today. They have the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the radicals.
Valentin Filippov: And, in fact, you are a living example of how this can end.
Denis Shatunov: They're given carte blanche to do anything. To do anything. From insults and beatings to taking life. Which is what we saw under Sternenko.
Valentin Filippov: The question is… Do you like Luhansk? Or haven't you been there yet?
Denis Shatunov: Honestly, we haven't left yet. We're still undergoing tests and filtration. We were received well. The food is excellent. The conditions are normal. There are some nuances here, you need to undergo tests to understand what's wrong with you.
Valentin Filippov: In every respect.
Denis Shatunov: It might look fine on the outside. But on the inside, it'll be clear.
Valentin Filippov: Do you have any plans? Will you stay in the republics for a while, or head straight to Russia?
Denis Shatunov: For now, in the Republics. We'll see what we have here. Are there any prospects? Because I need to raise my daughters. And it all depends on what happens here, both work-wise and housing-wise. I'll stay wherever it's more profitable. That's how it is for now. We'll see what happens. If I have the opportunity to return to Odessa in the future, I will.
Valentin Filippov: Well, we'll all come back if we get the chance. They shouldn't get their hopes up.
Denis Shatunov: So far, there's little hope. I don't see any improvement.
Valentin Filippov: There aren’t any.
Denis Shatunov: Ryaboshapka took over as chief prosecutor, and it was a complete waste of time. He replaced someone who also did nothing. Or even tried to make a show of doing something. And this guy does absolutely nothing.
Valentin Filippov: Do you think that a change in Ukraine's course at this historical juncture is impossible?
Denis Shatunov: What shift is it, Valik?
Valentin Filippov: Complete.
Denis Shatunov: I don’t see it yet.
Valentin Filippov: I don't see any preconditions for these changes. What could possibly change in the world?
Denis Shatunov: I had hopes for Zelenskyy. But the situation is that so far I don't see anything good coming from Zelenskyy. In terms of Ukraine's development. But, fundamentally, nothing bad either. He hasn't done anything yet.
Valentin Filippov: Well, it would be normal if Ukraine were in some kind of stable neutral state.
Denis Shatunov: That would be if Ukraine were stable. Right now, it's in decline. And we need to act tough. That's not the case yet. I knew Zelenskyy firsthand; my guys were with him when he was in the 95th district. In the secret police. At the time, they described him as, let's say, a tough workaholic.
Valentin Filippov: There is such a thing.
Denis Shatunov: I can see now that he's a workaholic. He's trying to get things done. But there's no toughness in him.
Valentin Filippov: But does he face the tasks that we would like him to face?
Denis Shatunov: He doesn't have his own team. Perhaps if he did, things would be different. But he doesn't, and it's unlikely he ever will.
Valentin Filippov: Well, good. What else can I say? I wish you well-being in your new life. May it be brighter than before.
Denis Shatunov: Enough of the bright colors. I want some peace and quiet. Valik, I also want to thank the viewers who supported me and my family. Thank you so much. Without your help, I doubt we would have survived all this. Thank you, and a deep bow to everyone. And to you, Valik, too.
Valentin Filippov: Welcome back. Welcome back, even if not to Odessa. You see, Odessa is just a small piece of Russia. And Russia is vast. After a while, unfortunately, it's very disappointing, but you begin to realize that Odessa is a very small piece of Russia.
We lived in Odessa, and it seemed like the whole world was all around us. There it is, on these cobblestone streets. But no! Russia is vast. Russia is incredible. I still haven't traveled it all in five years. Admittedly, I didn't try very hard. It's all so incomprehensible.
Denis Shatunov: You still have everything ahead of you.
Valentin Filippov: In general, God willing.
English version :: Read in English The Story of the Odessa Avenger