APRIL 7, 1943 — APRIL 2, 2022
78 YEARS, JOURNALIST, WRITER
Yevhen Bal did not make it to his 79th birthday just five days. The circumstances of his demise were widely discussed by international community. He was a journalist, a writer, a captain first rank. He was a member of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine and National Union of Writers of Ukraine. The tragedy struck in an occupied village of Melekino near Mariupol. On March 18, Yevhen was arrested by the Russian soldiers. During the residence search, the occupiers found commemorative photos with Ukrainian defenders and other «evidence of fascism». According to the occupiers, it was enough reason to detain the journalist.
Yevhen was taken captive. He was taken to Mangush, a nearby urban-type settlement. Down in the basements, he was tortured, beaten up violently, and subjected to severe injuries. On March 21, he was set free, since the perpetrators «did not fight against the USSR Navy veterans». After three days of battery, the man was not able to recover from the beating. His heart stopped on April 2. Vicious cynicism of the Russian tormentors lies in taking hostage a captain first rank on the eve of the Day of the Submariner celebrated in Russia on March 19.
Yevhen Mykolaiovych was a true patriot. He had lengthy conversations with the youngsters, setting up strong morals among them. His grandson inherited the love for the Motherland from his granddad. The young man served in one of the military units. He took an oath of allegiance to the people of Ukraine. On the day, the grandfather personally saluted the young man.
Yevhen was born on April 7, 1943 in Kremenchuk, Poltava region. He left the service as flagship navigator of the strategic missile submarine forces division. Retired in 1992. After that, had been heading the Committee of protection of the Sea of Azov. He was in charge of exemplary Maritime School, supervised the reserve officers retraining courses. He was published in outlets like «Viiskovi znannia», «Pravda Ukraiiny», «Donbas», «Vechirni visti», «Pryazovskyi robitnyk», BBC. He was a correspondent for the district paper «Silska novyna», a special correspondent for the Greek weekly «Omonia». His book «Merydiany shturmana Barka» was about the maritime adventures, romance and dangers of the naval service.
Decorated naval officer, he dedicated over thirty years to the service aboard the submarines of the Northern and Pacific Fleets, and embarked on many standalone sails. Since 2014, was a pro-active patriotic and avid volunteer in the front-line Azov region. The writer frequented the vessels of the marine security border guards. He met with the defenders of Mariupol regularly. He passed on the books for them. During the Russia-Ukraine war, he wrote numerous fiction and journalistic pieces about the hybrid war. He was the winner of «Book of the year — 2020» award.
Outstanding knowledge of the situation at the front lines and in the rear — in the settlements of Donbas along the line of demarcation — helped Yevhen write a story «Chronicles of Filimon the Dog». When separatists wanted to hold a referendum in Mariupol, the voting ballots were reproduced on a simple printer. The journalist was out and about with his dog, Filimon, when an unknown lady was inviting everyone to the polling station. Bal evaded the offer for he had no passport on him at the moment. «You can vote without a passport», — the lady said. «Would you let Filimon vote as well?» — the journalist asked, jokingly. «If the dog is for DNR, he can vote!» — she said. For his brave patriotic stance of a journalist, he was constantly harassed by the separatists. He had to resists.
In 2014, he was among the residents who did not let fly the Russian banner over Melekino. The Russian assault on Ukraine was a great tragedy for Yevhen. He wholeheartedly wanted to make people see who was the enemy and the patriot. Having been able to leave the town, he nonetheless decided to stay, so he could help anyone with anything he could. Was the decision worthy of regret? The captain is the last one off the ship!
