Day 459. Roma always cared.

Roman Ratushnyi was a prominent Ukrainian environmental and civic activist killed in action during Izium battle. Roma was 24.

The below is a translation of a Twitter thread by his friend Stas Kozljuk. It’s also available, along with the original version in Ukrainian at this link.

“Roma always сared.

You know, there are those people who just make things happen. Well, Roma was like that.

I think I met him for the first time at the Maidan court hearings. And then they started, and when they were ongoing, and when it seemed like all was lost and almost no one went there.

Also, Roma could not stand injustice.

Remember that thing a year ago after the Sternenko sentence? The one with the the door, swastika, which, most likely, the cops drew themselves, house arrest and Malevich's black squares for evidence. This is only one of the examples that became known.

Roma loved Kyiv. Fought for it. Literally and metaphorically. In the courts and in the streets. You must have heard about Protasiv Yar? So, one of the most active people there was Roma.

I remember us drinking coffee together somewhere on Soloma [Solomyanskyy district, Kyiv] and he kept sorting out some documents regarding Protas[iv Yar].

Roma could not stand by idly.

I remember how we laughed our asses off when he was telling about conversations with some officials, who were telling Roma he was being supervised by the Washington obkom (tm) (ru. regional committee of the communist party).

Because some middle-level management asses couldn't understand how someone can just not give a damn.

Roma had an eventful life. Although, not in a way a 20 year old's life should be. Maidan, then thugs and mobsters sending him regards for Protas.

When russians swarmed over our borders, Roma went to war. This was his choice.

After the occupants left the Kyiv region, he went further.

Last time we messaged each other was about a month and a half ago. I wanted to get an invitation to visit him, to film some material, to write a report. He replied with something like:

«Well damn, they're shelling here, be careful you guys. Because the command is taking care of us, but you are on your own».
And now these news.

My man, forgive me that we have not met after that. And did not have a coffee. Did not tell stories to one another. Sometimes funny and absurd. Other times - scary and horrible.

Motherfucking war.

Fucking russians.”