The events of 2014 in Ukraine led not only to a military confrontation. No less severe battles are taking place in the vast information field. One of their main topics is the activities of the followers of Stepan Bandera. Some criticize them, others consider them heroes. And who is a Bandera? What views does he profess, what is he fighting for? Let's figure it out.
The plurality of approaches to the study of the concept
Understanding who Bandera is, even only superficially you must come across different opinions and ideas. Even the origin of the word itself is not unambiguous. Many connect him with the Ukrainian nationalist S. Bandera. But there is another approach, rooted in more ancient times. Sometimes a word is spelled differently. It all depends on the interpretation of its origin. You have probably heard how the letter “a” is replaced with “e” in it. It turns out Bender. From this small change, the meaning is completely reversed. It is believed that the word in this case is associated with the city of Bender. It is connected with Ukrainian nationalists only insofar as. It is necessary to distinguish these concepts, since the semantic load in them is different. But let's sort through who Bandera is. After all, this is not just the name of a person who professes certain views. It opens up a whole ideological world, little resembling the generally accepted one.
Ukrainian theory
It will be fair to begin to explain who Bandera is, based on the views of local nationalists. After all, it was they who did everything so that every person on the planet would know that such a concept exists. For Ukrainian nationalists, Bandera is a hero. This is a follower of a person known in local history who fought for the independence of the state. Stepan Bandera, the name comes from him, all his life he dreamed about the national sovereignty of Ukraine. From this point of view, his ideas are quite positive. Well, which nation does not want to be strong and independent? Moreover, in the history of Ukraine there are not so many months of sovereign existence. All the time, these people were part of some kind of state formation. Some territories were "under the Poles", others - "under the Romanians", while others developed well within the Russian Empire. Bandera dreamed of creating his own state. Therefore, his followers are the builders of just such an entity on the world map.
Not so simple
The fact is that the struggle is different. The range of methods is wide: from peaceful propaganda to brutal aggression. Agree that the formation of the state through a completely democratic referendum is one thing. But the conduct of a bloody war is completely different. This is where the different meaning of the concept of "Bandera" appears. People who consider themselves to be followers of a Ukrainian nationalist were particularly cruel during the Second World War. Particularly distinguished Bandera in Poland. Many simple, non-military people perished at the hands of these people. Their atrocities are widely known. Entire villages were cut out. The bandits spared neither small nor old.
Historians believe that these crimes are not related to S. Bandera. He spent all this time in prisons, and died in exile. Only the bandits themselves called themselves Bandera, covering up atrocities with a national idea.
Are there any monuments to Bandera?
Probably, it is necessary to understand that such an ambiguous ideological trend is still a part of national history. Huge monuments to Bandera were not built. In Soviet times, they were considered criminals. And during modern independence, funds were found only on the monuments of S. Bandera. Nevertheless, in many cities of Ukraine commemorative signs and boards of the Ukrainian rebel army are installed. Little is known about them to the general public. However, during the crisis, information began to spread. Signs in honor of Bandera became the object of the “war of monuments” in the same way as the monuments of V.I. Lenin.
A different version of the origin of the concept
Now briefly touch on a different version. It is based on the fact that the word comes from the name of the city of Bender. True, this settlement has nothing to do with Ukraine and its nationalists. It is located on the territory of Moldova. However, an interesting story is associated with it. As they say, this is how the Cossacks lived, who traded the slave trade. They were afraid to fight with strong tribes. That is why the concept has a derogatory meaning. Bendera is one who offends the weak. From a powerful enemy, he flees, as from fire. No matter how you argue, however, this term has a rather twofold meaning. Many people openly oppose Bandera. Many ideological crimes committed by his followers cannot forgive this ideological movement. No matter how hard the current nationalists try to disown them. But the atrocities of Bandera during the terrible war years are recorded and documented facts. Perhaps supporters of the national Ukrainian idea should think about other heroes, not so stained with blood and human grief?