Kyiv, 20 June 2014 “A new initiative — www.stopterror.in.ua website — is launched by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the Donbas volunteer battalion to gather, verify and systematize information coming from the anti-terror operation (ATO) area, and also to record all crimes committed by terrorists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions,” said Anton Gerashchenko, Advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, at a press briefing at the Ukraine Crisis Media Center. “Most of the mistakes made during the ATO are caused by the lack of information about terrorists’ actions. This project will allow locals to report to the authorities about any activities and movements of the militants and military equipment, in other words to collect intelligence data to help the Interior Ministry, the Security Service, the National Guard and the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” he added.
Mr. Gerashchenko explained that “the website allows users to fill and send a special form with a description of what exactly is happening and where, add links to YouTube videos and attach pictures that confirm the information. The user can choose to submit the form anonymously or to provide contact details.”
Incoming information will be processed and verified by members of the Donbas battalion and, after being confirmed through an elaborate intelligence network operating in the ATO area, it will be either posted on the website or forwarded to the relevant units of the Interior Ministry, the Security Service, the National Guard and the Armed Forces of Ukraine for further decision making and quick response.
Semen Semenchenko, Commander of the Donbas volunteer battalion called upon all citizens of the Donetsk and Luhansk to send information to the newly launched website. “No crime should be left unpunished. The information locals can share is very important because it can save many lives. Today, each and every one of us should do everything to make sure the enemy leaves our country,” he said.
In the future this website may serve as a basis for a public center, similar to the Simon Wiesenthal Center, that will not only trace the crimes committed by terrorists, but will also help finding these people after 20 – 30 years, so that none of them escapes punishment. “All criminals should understand that they will be held responsible for all their crimes,” commented Mr. Gerashchenko.