Today, February 8, marks the one year anniversary of the death of Vsevolod Petrovsky — historian, soldier, and former employee of the Ministry of Information of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR). He was among the first who came to the ministry and made an invaluable contribution to the development of Republican journalism. According to his colleagues, Seva coped well with the stresses of his professional duties and was always at the forefront of the information war.
Vsevolod covered the beginning of the “Russian Spring” in Donbass as a freelance blogger. In a short time during 2014, he went from being a professional journalist to a soldier. After the proclamation of the Donetsk People’s Republic, he conducted the news broadcast “Voice of the Republic,” worked in the DPR Ministry of Information, served as a war correspondent for the DPR Ministry of Defense, then joined the political department of the Ghost Brigade of Alexey Mozgovoi. From December 2014, he served as a soldier of the Volunteer Communist Detachment. He was killed near Komissarovka (Lugansk People’s Republic) while evacuating wounded from the battlefield.
Vsevolod Petrovsky was a true patriot of Donbass, and so he did not leave his native land even in its most difficult days. A humble and quiet young man, he possessed a strong inner core which helped him overcome life’s difficulties with courage. A heightened sense of justice led him to an uncompromising struggle against the crimes of Ukrainian troops in Donbass. First Seva fought against the Kiev punishers with his pen, then — a gun. Like thousands of militia, he fought heroically for democracy against fascism and oligarchy. Vsevolod Petrovsky firmly believed that it was necessary not only to describe Kiev’s war crimes, but also to actively fight against them.
Vsevolod Petrovsky is a good example for future generations of journalists. We, the staff of the Ministry of Information, will always remember the selfless work of our friend and colleague. The name of the hero who gave his life for the freedom and happiness of the people of Donbass will remain forever in our hearts.
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