Donetsk, Feb 12 - DAN. The “Order of Judas” for Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko will be made of fragments of artillery shells fired by Kiev forces at Donetsk People’s Republic settlements,” Donetsk Republic social movement Central Executive Committee chairman Alexey Muratov said at a press briefing at the Donetsk News Agency.
The DR Central Executive Committee chairman said that shell fragments would be gathered in the course of Ukraine’s presidential election campaign and that the order would be sent before the election day on March 31.
“Poroshenko is seeking a second term; we’d like to “support” him with our action so that he feels “proud” and understands that Donbass residents haven’t forgotten as they daily experience the pain and suffering which he brings to ordinary people, Muratov said.
The DR chairman’s liaison offices across the Republic will make arrangements to have shell fragments collected.
The proposed order for Poroshenko has a historical counterpart: in 1709, Russian Tsar Peter I ordered to cast the Order of Judas for Zaporozhye Host chief Ivan Mazepa who, just before the Battle of Poltava, had defected to Sweden, Russia’s opponent in the Northern War. The 5-kilogramme silver Order displays Judas Iscariot who hung himself on an aspen tree with 30 silver pieces lying at his feet. “Thrice-cursed is perishing son Judas as he hangs himself for covetousness” runs the inscription on the Order.*jk