THE POLTAVA AND CHERKASSY AREAS OF THE UKRAINE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R013700240007-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 26
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 21, 2011
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: October 15, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
:11
FEB 1952 aa-s~......_._..-.- ..
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
CLASSIFICATION
SECRET
SECURITY INFORMATION
,, 50X1-HUM
INFORMATION REPORT REPO
RT
CD NO.
COUNTRY USSR (Ukrainian SSR)
SUBJECT The Poltava and Cherkassy Areas of the Ukraine
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE
ACQUIRED
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE
OF THE UNITED STATES, WITHIN THE MEANING OF TITLE 18, SECTIONS 793
AND 794, OF THE U.S. CODE, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR REVE-
LATION OF ITS CONTENTS TO OR RECEIPT BY AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS
PROHIBITED BY LAW. THE REPRODUCTION OF.THIS FORM IS PROHIBITED.
CLASSIFICATION
STATE X
ARMY X
NAVY X NSRB
AI.R 1X FBI
DATE DISTR. 15 Oct. 1952
N0; OF PAGES 1
NO, OF ENCLS. 1 (13 pages"
(LISTED BELOW)
50X1-HUM:
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
Not graded
THIS IS UNEVALUATED -INFORMATION
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
1. I2trodu' `ion
IIdFORMATICIN- ON XLTAVA,AI
Ukrainian SSR -
.I EX:
1.. intr. oducti.on
Z. Tho AI{HPYRICA-1a0I TAVA-BOGCDUXHOV. ;t ea
3w The Town-of C RKAS
4.. rho CHERICASSY Garrison .
: nnexo, I . Ske t 6h' of KOxMLVA - Area
Annexe 2 . ' SI t&h of Military Barracks
C~
,
(b)
The
i
inParmat oti ri thisAppotna x Oonce~rizs. chiefly two areas : -:
(a). Those ;parts at- the PCYLTAVA,- MW and IcHAMV Provjno
contained :in the
t :10
AKFft'YRKA IEEMIw - Pf?AVA , the
AKAV tf:flvny=-to, hEi KSYEXEyI Station ' ' BOGt jUKHOV = AKI$'~itKA.
SECRET
APIDTX `A
RKASSY
-
r.a..av a.ry
riU e:43y9C1Til8~i..
except' _thQ Ahlpl~taroa~ion nf' +1,r~ .: r- ~ ;
The.,r .PC)IIrAV$. BOGODuicnov Area
(a) Twin
The terrain in the area is -in .go aral i dulated, in ! r sectors
intersected by deep, and, steep carWons. A-:i'ather ,fia.t plate,
stretches-: apprcx 15-,:In east of the river VORSI but theme `are ; a340
numsroua carWonaW est of the VQRSK[A an d abtuth-Beat of;. t x~Jlrar.
1XERLYA hilly.or undulated ocintxy extear~s, o opted b
y 1 rou$
ca yens. There are also some swampy seat ;.;3 in the area, chief~,y
:.; he: river valleys..
Af
SEQ. RE"T
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
The town of CHERKASSY on bl.PMP
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
S?$ C R,, T
(b) Dra aRe
The area belongs to the river DIMM..- system -being situated on both
banks of' its tribataxy, the. V?RSI L
The ? VOR5KI4's. main tributaries iii. this area. are the rivers IMYA
(17I ainian N . tRLA).' and both on the left, bank of , VORSKLA.
The river VORZKI A in its northern sector ia. narrow aM shallow but
from AKFfYRKA -it,: a s : much- wide r'and -a oeper The western -(right). bank
ia- 'steep; and' high,, the eastern (.left) bank is flat and in some parts
magW.- ..;,Southt `:;the conf]uenoa of the rivers VMS && and? CERLU
the eastern bans-, of the' WASRLA' also bevoa= high and in some parts
steep. Both" banks : are oovored for `the greater part by woods and
bushes. Setweon A KA? and POAVAthe river VDW A has Changed
its .bed i n. -spa plac~ea ~.asd therofere there , are:= the remnants of the
old river bed either in the-.form of. dry canals,., as between' XOTYELVA
and OPOSHM, eras small, and narrow lakes and pools.
The `width, of the. VORSKLA!'s valley and the river-bed Itself as weli,
as the :. depth of the river vary transderab],y. At. AIIYRKA? -the.:. Valley
is- approx 2 Km side and the river--bed appro 60 metres. :Roar the
V-1 , Age of 1 U1( WIML the valley is swampy anl approx 5 .fn wide. At
I I Z T C Q i -the Aver-, ibso if is a p p r o x 4 0 metres" wide . " At LVA the
valley- becomes'narrower (approa 3. "3iti):' The olds:.. a],most 1 1 completely
dry, river-bed is there on,- the. -foothills :of :the high: and steep
western side og' the valley. The river flows approx 2,- - 2 'g Ida east-
wads- of the old "river=bed. The new river-bed" a 3pr r 30 metros
wM
I'urthor to the south at - OPOMIYA the ? val].oy narrows to approve 2 Km
and. t e . rive'bee- is approx 30' metres wide
At POIWAVA the road:: bridgawithin the town ia.. ipprGx 70. metres long,
the ri*er. itself'-? is apprcac 50 (Y) istres wide..
the following fords : across the river, VORSK :-
At UZMLW: ? approx. 150 'matx6s! north of the'rp `b ;ge
one ford. approxx.I 'metre- deep.
At KtTYELVA: tOro'-fords both north of;? -the "road bridge
the first aapprocr" 500 metres and the seco d apprc 850,
metres Prom tY>o "Itx;dge.
South, of the brill there is oneford` on the road leading
from-:KOTY=JVg to- IX This is a very shallow one
(approx10.5 metre).
There.. is. also one .ford between the villages OPOSIINYA arA DES.
aab tan , even. tho' 0]d woman used tea `cross ile. v+arr re.
T e VO1~SJUA had ont 7.Y_-a. sandy bott. odd'
The1 var Ri & M. tho .rathor, smAllor stroaii?; flood. almost
at
every Spring:, "always at or. about Easter. ' The P.:ooa33: dt f last
a long time,usual]. 10 "days, 'but are'- att- general -rather strong.
In -some places the VORSKIA floods the countryside . for a width. of
7 -,q 1 , damaguig bridges and' houses situated in the vicinity of
the river..
SECRET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
SE.CtRE.T
- A3.--
the VORSKLA between, AIIYRKA and POWAVA,
forms a serious natural barrier.. Its steep and high w~estertr bank
and swampy or, steep left bank, 1?oth covered by woods and- bushes,
are.:.eas;ier' to defend, against an enemy advancing. from the. east to
the west -than agaa,nst- trgops. advancing . f rom -the. west, Ths_ .b gh
western bank of th e' -rider' is a natural' liiav :of . observation points
of ,the eastern :side of the . river.: From:.an observata.~on point
-situated between the. v llages- MEiLC1`l and. BILSK. one.. c .n des - xgr:-
thing for a distance of approx 1'5 Km. Only the hearer t vicinity
of the. river .covered by, the woods: and. bushes
,almopt: cornpLote y inv sible. from the western .b
in, i y4i ins_ x=s ti&AS, 4181d to : Ue-rmen
~i.re a short time_ quest: of. the rivver .VO S1 4 bit: were unable :to
th
G
t
a
d
'
l
th
it
i
e
erm
varrov. on
a
op;
n a
.
ver
e r
se
.,, to 14 a V0i7 difficult steep approaches: to, the -river bet en TIB~{A" ate .the
confluence 'of.tho VO"RSI{LA.and, EERLYA the Geer broke through
de A* -
north, of ATcIffYRKA and mopped up the.: who east ..oe the river..
In 1943 the .situation changed when'' the.'retre8,ting CWrmahe
successfully- hold, thp Ibissians :for .a: month.-.a3.ong the wes,tern
bank of the rivor.. .:.:' ho;German 'defence colla.j~sed When ttie R4~ss.ians
broke through north, .off YRIfA:.
con awrma_ tion- of. the: gener-al'gpinionthat north: of AI thq,,.,.
VO1 SK ,A, is no more ..an obstacle and. the .i e,x a n i s much Oadiex for
large. _gea,la operational mov-et ts..
none .. of the above-mend ec`1 Pox , " bss
the VQRSBI A are any good fpr. ` W -traffic,.. At an experienced tank driver Would be : able to cross the river;
but any other motor vehicle would stick-in the mud".
Dur. the winter frb&t.. i6b, on the ivor VORS IL& it thl.*
There are. also some small :stxioams. f.owixig..sither .in'oati ens -or'
having flat -but muddy banks which,, should also b'e -6orisidored as
serious obstacles for. military traffic., .
a small stream,.. the.- KOT VKAri, :-apps=
4 metres wide, flowing from the east .through t'ie ;ilages~
7CIKHAYLOVKA and KOTYELVA, cost both" the Reassians and.
Germans heavy lgsse3 i>n l;anks In ita. eastern part .
the stream f lows in a deep .cayon .-and, west of 1iHAYl1DVKA has
swampy and muddy banks. In 1- 94+3 both' the , G iiitia wa tub ?ussians
lost many tanks in its muddy banks and bottoIi. Another
:K0TYELYEVKA stream. (there are four.. KOr)EE>r,XOY1{As.;there ::flowing
in a, deep canyon and through.the lake' at the y :]:loge PARHI O~OVKA
is also 'a dangerous and treacherous ob ,'itac a for.s4l3.tary Motor
transport.
The river XYERLYA..at" BOG?1J1 M0V has a high. tid, V~ei.y: steep' fight
(northern) -bank and._e. flat southern,: bank. 'Thg "riv+
there ,loss than 'F5 metres wide,..: ` Plther to' the west;. at YOVKA
the river is approx 20 metres wide . ' The northe'rn' 1*nk is '.higher.
than the, southern. 1 vprox. 2.. Km .west... of the...J TYEZVA oacl:the
river >. is- only approx:.'10 metres fide T e 'banks , flat
.over d by. .:grass-
There are in the, whale.,area a number' of.ei~ai1 laloss; ], :`cif
them have a sandy bottom and are'comparatively'degg..
Swamps.. are.: in. general. in the river valleys. They do not cover
-large areas but are in general difficult even for' . horses -an . exch.
S-E C RE T
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
SECRET
The. sdil in the whole area is. a good Ukrainian black soil. Thore
are in soaq places - patchos O sand; chiefly.. r ;W_ the , fort, :.of -_s1Qa1].
hills Sand is also on the' river beaks and In .the..conifarous,
vroads .
(d
there prorri4ed a good cover for large troop ooncantrat;ons : as well
as'ori guersl.: acti:vi~ties
Ve Cation a~ad i;ouYturo ,
The area Yes a considerable pe en ag ,of wgod d counts: There
are larger, areas covered by various 1 .nos . of aPoodS in .t vi ci.ni,ty
of : ~, IT i sncl along vhe 'rivers VOR . nd ]I RI X& Waods
consist chiefly of deci uous ees, among them a 3.arge quantity
~ , . .there Was c az tivel`y.+ r 50X1-HUM
little' devastation of woods dura.r g the war; In ge or'al the Woods
in,thei, non-wooded aroas:approx..709'of. the 50X1-HUM
a -fin crops era :rye and wheat, than .sugar b99t, paig and:. others.
ila a:o s typos'' of vegetables are planted in the. kitchen : gardens.
'There a 1so a `oa ti ve
mpa ; quantity of fro 'b cu3,t v -ted
ouch :as ;appTs's, pears, atierrfes;. ply a vrater--1~0two.
The collective farms are well provided.with 4riouatural machinery.
Is. the I~pTYI 'egion `the ` a.ro two.. a hind an~.:tra cto -sex vice
stati.o s (Mrs )' y' - one at KC7 :'Y JVA (60 -tractors) and one at- ' L .
In the KRASNIF KU2 Region there are also .twno`MSS .-stations,`.4aoh of
ap -rwc .60 treators. The A' YRKA,. region..i:s a .so ;well. provided With
treat.are. y Tri earl rogi.orl there are tractor ariver.and rc iic
coarsen.trams:this t ractor' personnel :during _the wirito porxals..
lam. `i:...! tivatod, the remainder-being m9adOws and pasts.
Thera s s = a lame - que ntity, of lives t ock in the. ax1a, but:
herd Is =still a deciroace 'in` coe a sots with the pro-
war numbers.
('a) 'I dust
the.x a is -As heavy d toy . a.f: the, area. The
existing industry is o1 fl~r closely tied up, with a~a,c .lture.
in POILAVA. there are .te$tile factories and a
,large 'elevator and gx' S' q large
grain storage a lasts at the kailmYEVKA Station on the POIfxAVA
KflARKOV railwa,r.
AKM I:tself':are -sea alcohol distilleries: a4. a JbrewMzy-
Tyre- arA also sc = of or factorae.s;
At east of Kdl'YEI,VA there is 'a large , sugar. factory
po" ted =by . a narrow gauge railway line with the' BOG V Station.
(f) atic avid - So ttlomep
Y'M~faV YiAI v KiG4 Vi'.' i~ 4R l 4 S4 Gyi. Vvaa.a~.v V~ .vi - Vri.a.fr4iiY~.iP,
~si~s?
the greater part' ,of V popwlation s axe
aini ens ..: Ukrain domirir ato - the rural _settlemants In' the
SE-C.R;ET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
S E C R E T
- A5
The rural settlements as almost -everywhere in the Ukraine are large,
scattered or linear and built without any definite planning. The
number of Russian population there is comparatively small 'but-the
lssian settlers and Russian officials occupy important positions
everywhere.
KOTYELVA situated on the river '. VORSKI:,A,
- .is--i. ndoubtedly an -outstanding one. -It -i.s;. the largest settlement
'between A1HTYRKk and j'OITAVA and is considered the largest village
in the UKRAI.. It occupies an area of approx 40 sq Km .aid has
approx 30,000 inhabitants. KOTYELVA jtself consists of 2 syel-
soviets and 14 collective. farmss.. The largest of them=has.over $00
houses and aP.P rox,
7,OQO;~octacos of ]acad. Other-villages are much
smaller but the average sazc._gf a rural settletuentthere, is 300 -
500 Xiouses. A village of less than 300.houses,? is....considexrod a
Mmall, one o
-The--villages consist in general of two-roomed white--washed' *ooden
'`huts with :thatched roofs. There are no wooden-floors. a.ti..the
dwellings.but only earth. Each but is provided with a Rassian
stove which serves various purposes such as heating,.cooking
,
drying :sleeping accommodation, etc-.., -There is very little furniture
.ctrl.' whet: does exist is very ugly -and primitive. . There .are very few
.beds- i n the collective fans x people sloes chief .;y, on. the shove or
on woden planks : All. huts- and, ' their inhabit I is :are verma rl=infested.
--"They wash: themso],ves somotiMQ,9:.i.n,-sumsi r, but in
wa Ater- the water is cold.aid. it is -cold Both outside., arid inside,
therefore-.. one:. h'
does not waeh
. '
kbexe vas` not ve , ruueh. 7:e et of_ the -ferices, outPiae_, the hoiuses, all
that could be used for
heating having disappeared long aka:-:
-The , "p`lectrif ,cati:ort- of kolkhozi"- exi.st's only in the ,larger farms
7gu t:theelectricity"supply'there is only for ::. Party. and; Government
institutions suc1-r as Party Committee buildings, :IVY 1a tie, B, etc.
Thes? "otfides' and institutions occupy. the r'ew brick buildings in
the -villages . There are in many colloctive fsacros.::sma 1 brick-
kilos.., -bricks. roduced :: there : are delivered .,:to,. the -.towns, and
.there are no new brick buildings in the farms
The Fire Brigades exist in theory only. -In raati.se ,
the Fire Brigade arrives when the fire is-already over. The'
fire egi'iipment is worse than primitive
There arc three towns in the area described:, -POII1 AVA .the ref
tow of the Province,. AL TYR'liA which. belongs to the: SUM Y rrovli,nce,
acid"BOGfDUMiOv b
- el the-.KE1 ~OV..Prc~vlnce.
(i) P0I[PAVA, the most important centre between 1ffiARKOV and KIEV
is situated on the. right. bank. of the ,river. VO 2SK[1L...,.One the
left` batik -extends a town suburb and.. the.`Southe n Railway-
'Station {t~0I1PAVA YU'LHISAYA) . T1ie town and the
west t 1 '
n o
t
er
r
u s s occupy a .flat area In the.,eastern.~.part
of the town 'there 2Z,
on.. the' right bank of_ the-. river; -a:
wboded hill wheY~e .a church and a :-ceuie'tery are- situatod.
POIJTAVA is- in general coxnparativoly ve'i l built 'acid 6 "'civilised"
town. The greater part of'' t :dwe lii s 'acre,msbde of brick or
stony. Bonne pmts of ?the town have 'a water..supply-and sanitation
instal]ati..ons.- The -Min "streetsare-paved -with "bulyzhntk"
cabbies but smaller usual, "w .ter-me]on!'.,size, . There
are also patches-of tar-macadam surface. 50X1-HUM
Pavements are , made of . at one.
/The town
SE C.RET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
 (g)
$.E.:C:R:E T
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
S E C R E T
ACS
The. town. is rather poar]y lighted
railway stations.
The_ VORSI9A steel road bridge, apprtsx 70metres lo~_and
approx 8 .metres wide, J.s, a dangerous and". u3nerab 7,point
for m i l i t a r y traffic.`. On-the' eastern, side b the r . rer
:between the .bridge and the road forks t e road Yvns, a
steep. Lyon and could- there. be easily blocked,
The main transit roads running from the wa.st,..south--vast
and north concentrate on the main Kremonchugskaya Street
v .i ch connects the southern and _Z.Y
(ii
On the western side ? of the < road leading
to.the north in the direction of DIYQUWA;. 750 - 1000
metres north of the XL.EV Station there is - a large PCL
;Dump.:
Al ffXEKA a -Chief town of a Region, a. medium-sa zed. `town. of
10-- ,000 inhabitants; Sit ated on the left bank of the
river VORSSKLL Approx 6o a th town bui.ldi n s are bidlt
=of. bri.c~k. ==.There is, no water? supply and. no , sewage system
in`-Uie tom .1k6s:quitos breed in tbo rous::iakes in ide.
the t vn and'`in t'no vi.ciriity as, we1].-as ,`ice tk umerou
swamps :around the town. Dwellings n tha town=rare vermin-
infested. The . greater.--part' of them have 'i o electricity
supply and kerosene lamps are generally" us041 as a UP.
A few ,maid streets are very badly paved ..with enormous
"bulyzbnslk" cobbles,.' Tbo others' are, complete] unpaved.
Zxoept for a few points the town is complAtel dark at..
si8ht
iii) & O V, a chief town of a Region, i s; i n gone 4 o
the` -same "star and : of. c vi 1i a ion as A.EIIT RK& There
w a s considerable ,v ar damage in the torvn? 50X1-HUM
Is
Ras1wa
only= the foxao details: -
BOGMUIffIOV Station on -the LYOBCFfIN SUW(.railway.
Approx 5 sidings:- A single track branch -appror,4
Ism' long runs, tot.Y on .the. river I RLYA. Freight.
passenger traffic.
.
teas"" purpose. of the Cdr' -b alXhA
'.arse c antitios : oP
Goad. ierv' delivnrod by ra~i.3.' There ar~3 nfl
industrial. enterprises. there
Vi]3 gee
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
SECRET
- A7 -
(ii) The narrow ` gauge - branch from GUSAROVKA to PARKHOADVKA Sugar
Factory. . A single. track. approx I ,.nitre, wide,. No passenger
traffic.
(h) il~s
There is loo, road system .in the area. . he -only decent macaci?ami.sed
road- runs along the ;southern, bank of the -raver KOLOMAK.from POIf A.VA
xiHARKOV.
Q:`
ThoDe is also . a . stretph of approx.: 5 .Km of macadamise
decent, sector of the POIJIAVA - Al CYRKA road. 95% of all other
maga are earth. tracks of unlimited. width- or?the,:fa ow local
"prosyelochniye" roads. :'Some small sectors -of .main tracks are -
"
cobbles.. .
'tbulyzhnik
..the. maim. track POVTAVA., AKRKL as follar s: ?50X1-HUM
(i) Glider lattd . :-areas (se.e Antaexe -1.
much more during the- war
a maxim3m capacity of 7 tons.. -.,Abut they:.managed
motor,-tr'aneport. but also for the -horse and oxen 50X1-HUM
Dtir=.ng the. last war' only tanks and. traced heavy vehicles managed
to `move alofig these muddy roads In _wa nter (end. ))erember - March)
snow makes traffic'-rather difficult.
Partj.oula`r. Iy: dangerous for motor , transport. are . numerous steep ar4
deep: canyons and muddy river. and stream- banks .
Road bridges are'nade? of wood and. some of. them- were'.s'trong enough
to: carry, even tanks. The VORSKT A road bridge. at KO'J.IELVA has the
maximum weight capacity, of ..5_ tone. - o est-bridges:-are of
like black, earth mud which is. impossible. apt-poly for wheeled
From POITAVA approx 5 Knn of tar-macadam.road,..with approx
3- metres of- -earth- track on both' sides for horse traffic.
From ZHUK . to DIKANKA,' approx 22 Km-,.of. "bulyshnik"
Further . to the north there is a 5 Km sti:etbh' of: earth
track, then _21 Km of '"bulyzhnik". to :0PQS1 4; !.,From
O.FOSHNYA, to KOTYLVA aid., earth -track :22 Km -long .through
the 'v illage'.DEREVKL. From KOTIELVA hr.ough,-;Mi to
AZ}i BKa 30 kin of: very;bad 'earth :.traol . _ in- general there
are 5 Km of good road ,between PQI1rAVA. and AENTRKA. and
'the, remaining 100 Km are hopeless.
Ai1.''these . roads are good for military. 'IV?T, during.. the dry periods.
In rainy weather there is an incredibly deep and thick chocolate-
UY...u GV yiu] u;i L?J.4u:}~/ VqT: J.'a. .i j. aa.....o..r v.,...
canyons arid swzLmps-, there are not many.:places in the, area which
ooulcl,.~jo . used::f'ax~ _glider :landinng purposes.. ..
Bee i AK YRKA. ana PC LTAYA.
he fallowing ]ardu%
50X1-HUM
(.) West of the village. KHUK'dRX'A approx 3 Km South. 'Of the town
boundary of AKHTYRKA along the K iUXMRY'A. - AKHTYRKA road
there are approx 1. sq Km of flat cultivated. land. which,,
after harvest, 'could be..u ed:%aa:a:.lapd.ing-place:.
.~(ii.) ...
SECRET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
SE'CRET
.- A-. w
(ii) The virago 'IVANOVKA approx.7.5 $m. north cc- the P Vl&
Sugar 'a.otory.
Betty -en the. Jake :ana -#he Ai ysti- , z' l o ;`'ire
a small area 2 Kai, long `aqd, approx 1 Km user
.
im
b
t
e
y the ""." planes, oea 7?'? .u he ?` ,
4~ $4 ,used , .a ceding pl ibe' cox' "Q q
MMOVO
P?'o 5 Km sautf~ o :: ZOVKA we north 0 FD A
both., sides or the x6m& .ooiSi~eo f ,'ham v gas th O.
a flat and dry satxly space ,.of appro -1i. eq Std
A l l " 'p s:qe : car, -be usod 'during 1i>Ei. cyy` ; pe "bds.
1 'the e,outl ast out ki. is ot. ..v .1
do]3vered: the maia.'frca PO AV&U
tom A-. Ricassy
(a):. trod
(b) , Ta_
The t of (aER! a$aT is situated; .on the western' h3 sr"1e do vt
,the. river DNY~.PR. west of the to4Jn the, country, U. u ii ;s c1
t read With bushos and groups of 61d trees der . .west
merge woad extols a'.dtstanne of apprO 31",, A'
the 1okt ; (eastern) bank af' the river - Is t et- and. 'san&y, a
sectors +covei 'by bushes:' Fe~tthsr to. the.. east a ai i
and pastures..
The to , extends i64 ng the.:r#yer-
(a)
pla:teali whi,olx d?soerAe gradual y_ , r vr:
The river DN`PR
The. ritiex~ at" Q SSY and its. vican ty van . ;iYi v atxi, depth
In spring tho Majority of theta, are u1 .er hooter.
the width - of the river on its.`central ssetor $0?.
metros.. On the railway brid.ge sector the river is w derr DUrintg'
the `spring . ate.: summer periods the ra v r is,..na gablei
(d)
Genera]. Information
- RK&8 .:i.tse..lf belongs . to Pz vi noe . The left bank bf the
river be longs to POtWIVA? Province :::. The `to n . i s '5i to d on -die
RNMAN PO fbsia HtAYA rai. ay `sire f $ an ' i.mpar't t `r ye ' as ss g.
-T ho doublo.--tracha steel ra t]wa --b' r3 .ge. eiaaxatoa `n h st of .;Ihe.
town. in. V prcac ;,
500
is t t s s ? e::py"
f ~': sts~ss ...
R
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
 S E.-C T.-.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
SECRET
- A9,
in. CIIBRKAssr
The town itself, which is, built in blocksy consists-'vhief].y of one-
and two-storey brick buildings. The main streets are .8 = 10 metres
wade and .paved, with.."bu yzbnik" cobbles Some State' buildin. s have
a water supply ,which as a rule is out of order 1+. 5 days per week
The water is delivered chiefly from the' river'. -"There are no
sanitation. installations. The. electricity from the local
power
station is almost all over the town but the stred ts-are"railer dark.
(e) Glider landing area
in the nearest vicinity 'of CHMRXcAsSY -?the
r 49 ,the follawi 50X1-HUM
Ap ng.troops.ware stationed
4. The CHERICA SY Garrison (see Annexe 2 to Appendix 'A')
(a)' 28 or. 14.8 Much-Div located- in the barracks., CVOYENGORODOK)..situated.
on the south-western side of the town.
present, railway. bridge. was . built after the war. ? saw
..U
~aMad b ~fGB troops :(" KRASi\?OpoGfJ II it )..
there. ars also MGs on..the bridge. 50X1-HUM
Approx 3 Ian east of the main railway bridge there . a, ama11 steel
bridge over an arm of the river DINI'M'OR.
Between the main bridge' and. the. CHERKASSYStation tis:,xa lway runs
on a ,dam 6 - , 7 .noetres :.ha gh. Thera are two at 6-6-i bridges over the
roads running 'west arld Sout]'14lest.
the
some
terrain: i..s ;rather difficult -.for glider. .ltand_g because of undulating
and:woo ed .land -on the wEistern bank of...-the r ?Yer and flat but muddy
grounds on the" left batik.
(b)- .-An-.:W B."Special Detachmont...loop.ted somawhere.in.: the. town.
and
on 59 Oh Rs t
2 more 'regiments, were i.n a Barracks. in . CiERKASSY
this Meth Div had already been there over 3 years and was
due to be-moved to another,place during 191x9.
The . barx acks ax ea in GEERKASSY extends alot . the main railway track
lo.adang~ to the ra.i.1way bridge,. They- consi.st, of: numierdus c*ie-storey bri;Ok-
b ld:ngs,. There are only 2.twowstorey buildings. Thvroare`also some
wooden shads.- There are no- ,trees its the barracks Yaroa.
On the other siae of the railway extends a thin. forest where the
Sumter Camp is situated. There are also '2 ' small.--axis-s ioa'ting~-rr nges
and tanks and LET parks. During the summer period troops camp there under
canvas.
cdotails copcernit]g the 3ZB Speo.a1 50X1-HUM
D-etaolat ant They were called: "KRASNOPOGCLI. II ans. carra.ea d# -the rail-
VV br?idge_ guatd atid town pa rot dui ea. They used' to cariry out their
training on :the..;same ground: as `the .9 Moch._Regt in the: Sutter '-('Tamp area.
.Ralations .betw!aen them and the 1oh Div personnel 'were rather cool. 50X1-HUM
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
S E C.RE T
j ~ DFR~VKL.
To
PC TAVA
Scala: 1:250,.000
(Glider landing areas -
are n rk3d 'V
.SEC.RET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
A11' 1 TO APPI MIX A
E
SKETCH OF THE KOTYELVA A.R.
;C RUBLYOVKA.
To AICYRKA
 SECRET
EXII,AUATORY NOTES TO
2,Z2g4 2 TO A r D 'A'
1. Check Point
2.. Saloon Cars and Motorcycles Park
3 - 59 Ragt Quarters. (Tank and W personnel. Gymnasium).
4`~ 59 Riegt Quarters
5.
6. Voyontorg Shop and'ORs.Quarters
7. 59 Rogt Club
8. Class rooms
9. Artillery Workshops and Clothing Store
10 Artillery Park
12.
13.
14.
15=
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
21+-
25.
26.
27
28.
29.
30.
31.
S E C R E T
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
HQ 59 Moch Rogt
59 Mach Regt Dining Hall
Lavatories
Guard Room
Obstacle course
Bath and Laundry
Food Store
ltil Room
59 Mach Rogt Arty Battery
Tank Unit
Voyontorg Store and ORs Quarters
ORs Quarters (tivo--storey building)
Rsgimsntal Club
Wooden Shed (salvago)
Regimental Club
Mr Park
ORs Quarters
Tank School. Classrooms and ORs Quarters. (two -storey ? .1n.ingY
kT Ground
Garrison POL Dump (underground)
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
SECRET
AIU= 2 TO Az,DIX A
SI CH OF TIM 3ILITARY B iRACXS
E. O1 LR -u SSY
Scale : 1:125,000
To the Station.
81C.RBT
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
F&B 1952 bl
INFORMATION REPORT REPORT
CO NO.
COUNTRY USSR (Ukrainian SSR)
SUBJECT Conditions of Life and Social Problems in
the Ukraine
DATE OF
INFO;
PLACE
ACQUIRE
THIS-DOCUMEAT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING-THE- NATIONAL DEFENSE
OF THE UNITED STATES, WITHIN THE MEANING OF TITLE IS, SECTIONS 793
AND 794, OF THE U.S. CODE,_AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION ON REVE-
LATION OF ITS CONTENTS" TO OR RECEIPT BY AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS
PROHIBITED BY LAW. TNF, REPRODUCTION OF. THIS FORM IS PROHIBITED.
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
SECRET
SECURITY INFORMATION
DATE DISTR. 15 Oct, 1952
NO. OF PAGES 1
NO. OF ENCLS. 1 (7 pages)
(LISTED BELOW).
SUPPLEMENT TO-
REPORT- NO. -
Not graded
THIS IS.UNNENALUATED INFORMATION
X NAVY
XAIR
ARMYX FBIFBI
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
/On the ...
SECRET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
S E C R E T
APPECIpIX 1B1
]3 FORMATION ONCOM'IQI s OF LIFE AM
SOOIAI. PROBLEMS IN THE _UK? I
I
I. introduction
2. Life in the c411ectiv 10 Parma
3, Life in the towns
4. Religion
5, Education
6. Anti-Semitism
The Russian drive in.- tha Ukraine
8. Political feeling. "-
9. Morals
I. Introduction
part. of . the Ukraine situated on the borders of the present
r ovinces POILI AVA, KTiARIdDV and SliMY.
in IItARKOY the
life is entirely difforent. "There are oven taps with water there",
things nvvor seen in AI1TYRKA and not native
in 'FOLTAVA
social problems and life in POLTAVA area which, being situated between
KIEV and IQIARKOV anti 'being always very Ukrainian, plays an important role
in the life of the Ukraine.
2, Lire in the collective farms
in.comparison with the' spring of 1949 thee
present standard of life in the collective- fags in the POId'AVA area is
in some respects higher. This,- improvement concerns chiefly the quantity
of food obtainable for a collective farmer, in partioular the. amount of
-grain which fare rs obtain for one working day. There are also more
goods and of better quality in the "RAYMAGs"'(Regional wholesale stores-)
than in 1949.
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
SECRET
On-the other hand there is very little change in the conditions
in, which the peasants have lived curing the a last twenty:-years and the
general standard of civilisation, culture and. Morals- is. the same as' it
was before.
50X1-HUM
the:. amalgamation of the
collective farms, did, not exercise. rr]uch: ;LnfluenC?e- on 'conditions of. -7a fe in
the villages. This .s caused first of all by? the difficulties of structure
of Ukrainian villages which are usuallymuch larger, than the RuMian ar
Byelorussian ones, They are :built irregularly, occupying a - large space
and are, very densely populated. ` 1;vhile- i n F ssia, a village of 200 houses
is considered a large one, 200 - 300 houses and 2,000 inhabitants-represent
the average size for a rural settlement in the Ukraine. There are-settle-
ments extending along the rivers or canyons for 6 - 10 M. The distribution
of land and organisation of agricultural work in such villages is extremely
difficult.. Larger settlements consist- of two and more. collative farms.
KLCYELVA, an unusually large,..village, of approx 30,:000, inhabitants, -comprised
before the amalgamation fourteen collective farms, the'smallest of them
having 280 houses and 1,000 hectares of-land. At present the'number of
kolkhozi there has been reduced to eight...
The ' on- real -'effect. of amalgamation 'was a, reduction-. In the
number of all types of clerical staff and officials , and . an' increase' in
man-power: Bit the increase in?man-power. was much smaller thars .expected.
The amalgamation caused great dissatisfaction with' the new distribution
-Of land among-the farms.. It is an almost impossible task in the ,.'USSR to
satisfy the farmers after their experience of,the last-30 years. Nona of
'
the
Government pr-oma ses have. been fulfilled. On the contrary, farmers
live in constant fear that the .Government, in. order to increase the
standard of discipline of work - still. -considered inadequate, will put all
collective, farmers, ].n commnon . barracks . mThorefore evv . an innocent
innovation raises immediately a wave of.panic. as an
.example the construction of a brick-kiln in a "collective farm
immediately causes. rumours that the Government is going to b Ala,_ bra= barracks
for the farmers.: Fora collective farmer deprived in fact of all,his.-
rights-and. being a ,Pariah of the .Soviet com=ity desperately 'defends
the - last thing..left "to him. -. his own home.
The real tragedy of life of the collective f aarmers ia acne it
lack: of money. In the present structure of the collective farms, a farmer
has no money and cannot obtain any. Paid for his work A m, grain and
obliged to pay various taxes in. cash.. and buy, manufactured goods for cash,
as struggles for every single rouble. The system . of 'Government deliveries
is ruthless afid in some.ways also ridiculous. For instance:, a.-collective
-farmer is obliged, to deliver 120 'eggs per year whether: 'he ha-s. any hens or
not. If he has 'ho
poultry he must buy eggs on the market for delivery to
the Government. In order to obtain money for the purchase o f,. eggs.- he has
to sell something, for example a pig.' But if ho,possesses a pig he must'
deliver meat. etc. to the Government. The.Governmcnt?deliveries and taxes
are -an endless chain of vexations. . A farmer who possesses a cow delivers
milk, butter and 40 Iii 7ogrammes of meat yearly to the. Government.
The small plots of land which collective-farmers own arc ..their
main and almost, only :sources of living. According to the present regu--
lations the prewar -far ers can possess 0.6 hectare of tljeir. own; land.
Until .1951 it was.0-8 hectare but the new farmers who joined kol,khozi
after 19+5 am entitled -.only to 0.4 hectare of , land. From these plota '
they live; pay
taxes and try to obtain some money for buying manufactured
goods.
/Owing to .
SECR2T,
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
S E C R T
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
S.E:C ]T
B3
Owing to. this economic policy the ' ;peasants oP. the. POZWAVA area,.
one., of the ngrain stores of Euz'o "., land of fruit, sugarr`beet, veg4tab];ee
and livestock, live on a diet consisting chi fly of bread and potatoes.
Meat and milk they consume -only at. the Ohristinas or .Easter. .hol days and
somoti es. on Sundays. They have : no butter whatsoever and use a iawer-- 50X1-HUM
seed oil. as a : substitute.. a .col Jo ta.vo farmer
eats .10 - 20 `o&gs per year. ` Sugar in, a small quantity is.. obtainable,. only
for people. working 3M
the- sugar beet ,fields. Tho main vegetables are
cucumber, and aabbago.. Only those who have fruit trees in them own
W ohm gardens arb-' able ` to oat fruit Until 1947-4 : there - word no
restrictions on collecting crab-app~;es in. the woods At pz'c.aex t:-for sores
tanknown: reason this is f'orbiddon and the ap a plea peers rot, t e woods
b~causo .the foresters are riot willing and have no time 'to 'aolleof1thc%,
Accommodation- is also an acute problem for the viiiagerb'WA the-
situation is even worsa- than before -the. ~rar Thorax wags... fl 4Cavernmoz t .hale
for the. ro r pf damage. D-vellings repaired by the .faarr x?s. dare
rebuilt -axact~,lr in the, sauna war as be#'oro the ,war, irr other ,i a Y3s they are
-vrooden ,huts' with oartlt floors ,.arid. thatched .roofs: There .,are, stall some.
people living in,cellars or dry-ou- s'.~. never seen the =w,?
lovely awe Uings in iiha ch the happy farmer lives" accordi ig to official
propagarda). There is no,;elvotricity- in the, villages except,for -.the. _ 50X1-HUM
office- build i.rigs n the' Aga kolkhoz . The ,huts, are it imi nate4 vra.th
icorose During the war and ulna, 191.6, there ware. na li t5 in
the huts,.- Heating is- also a ve serious *6'blor8, ..Thera 3 :no ;cva.]... ar i
the -woods, bet. ~tc ,_ .Stairs . i gars at' their hits v~^Tt i .str ~
thorns a4 . anything which can be burnt. All fences were.used;,, Up ...long
ace... In winter there is bitter cold. and dal 'ios3".i the: kiuts#-
mho yncx . problem is furniture pottery drA cutJ,.ary .. -The
1uckr aqd. 'wcaltY
collective :farmers. live era unfttrni had its: Avery
fama.lyy, hao one..bed...-' Tho ma.J-ority sleep',oi "the stove; or4JP4:a plaol,
or on .the flooz' described tKo, Normal "bba- akd dcl Y s~! i ri5OX1-HUM
an.avcrag?.-hut as' "one` to three small incre. bly filthy p ll: ws,.;:tr ad mum
orra. rotten blanket and a cc plc ' of planks;: put away duritiig.the. as in a
cwrncr of the rovra": So uaA of .lagers halo shat~ts' but=xidiior: m zo thafl two
for . a family:'ownls era in some, houses but the ttieoity use old legs.
instead.:. Furniture consists chiefly of one ab1 a coqplq.of v r r
R i itive -stools,` 'one' empty wocclen box- arid. one or ,fro .:wbo O.b benobas.
Putt y usually "`Consists. of a coupJ.e pr potp, which serve,, for
various purposes suotr--as cooking, eating, washa:rig etc:- .$vary offie.:has
tiffs own spoon, chiefly a wooden. ore, and ahams-made' knife t,is
the usual egttipmerit of ' a farmhouse'. kitcherr. In the. aid #me~ .,of 1'Ozari.3t
oppre'ssion" there were jugs, cups-.and' sotmeta.mes- ,glasses in every, house.
There wore : also knives and forks. - At' present there are very' few forks,
and- all are of the "Czarist" make.
an average: rarmer and, his.,. ;anu:+y themselves "sometimes in summer in the, ,ri,'irOr"'g Durin$ the vrintor they,
-
do not wash a.t : al ]- a ccept oft holidays at Christmas, -Easter or the New
Year. "Therm is no hot water, it is cold inside. a-A outside geed ' soap
is very s rce 'are. expensive therefore they do not" "the mashes".
s
:
d
ie
th
T
e
'
o
.x
e
ey al
h
y cost money,
l oathbr*shes are lint used at all.
toot p air; people. are not "aeousi:orrie t air ;
therm'..., There is a lack of the m6st necessary imp1Qks-ents in a ppasant
family, = each house is provided i th a hammer but there are. very few'.
Pincer s?, scissors, screwdrivers, irons, etc,
..-.rte..., - ,.. ~~..-^-? . ... ~. -. ~.,. -... - .ww~M.. ~ ^vtv..rr.....
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
S EC'R R T
before the war there were ne bicycles in
the collective farms, they area for the first time in 1P945, , chiefly
as, ."booty". Between 1946 and 194.9 the number increased .and iii. 1949 '.there
were 400 'cycles in the KOTYELVA region. A woman cycling is still
considered. there as .shameful . ("POZOR") .
50X1-HUM
. ~.tiorl ;a;s 've
.pu ry badly dressed.
In general they have no: underwear, the rtxrtheya.l do o?not use: 'handkerchiefs,` of
them i
e>-its r
s
"
r
ag
. The ladies -underwear
horrified.
who.:look: of for themselves but they are er
r
g
sr~ . ~,ri asp
when, a.s~. ing the market- square (I~AZAR) which ip..for.:a: tllcra.inian peasant
tYie pl ce.~vhere th(I village "sovie-by" meets. '.!IdA'AARM" .l- ls'do not
pick their- noses' =with their. fingers (then do this everywhere) but use
haiidkorchi?fs an&`it- is not good to be. seen in the BAZAR'.bare-footed.
thew is ver
l.ittI
l
y
e pou
tr.xra .. i fe
afad.anus rnents in. the collective farms Clubs, exist. in the majority of
the V41-Ages, but there are.. also many where a club exists. only in -theory.
?Tn-KOTYELVA, w: oh is a regional centre, there are two clubs:, one of
'gym the '% n n" Club which every autumn .. i,s used as a gra ?-store: and
the other. "1 Travnya"' Club which is open all the year. There, is a- -Large
l06tu.6e and. ,theatre room,. a library and a dance-hall oallea by;,ths local
inhabitants: "Ki'OT" (foyer), People dance there', fight sometimes.
Very seldom a cinema show is given there. This is the only place - cif
entertainment for 30,000 inhabitants. Owing to the Ukrainiari.'s soaiabla
and. gay nature-there is more social life =3ta..the Ukraine than in' Russia.
People like singing together and in spite of the. hazel life they are
rather,,. cheerful. ..
Pe 0,10 do not -read. either books or papers. Xesrspap?rs a
used. ha.vfly .as cigarette :paper. Books are . expensive 'and there is no
light for readixig.
Tn cacti y..llage', there exists an uppe class" comprised of all
local authorities, Party lowers, Government officials, toobnzcians
cashiers., etc. an,d... they avoid, contact:. with the collective-farmers in
thr Regional' centr~s such, as. KOT3 LVA and KR IY KIJT where the of'ficiaLs
are very numerous the distance between the upper and lower .. classes is very
'great. The Regional Party officials, IB..office s, State Bank and Savings
Bank managers and the rnagi,strate, are the higho
from at caste, camplete.ly, cut off
the peasants .
money,
attention to the- peasants.
The upper class are well lodged, earn
cat and drink very well and do not pay much
The second social al ass, a1sQ well situated, are the mechanics
:arid. drivers from the. DR.'S stations.., local .fe.ctoriaa- and in titut.ions: The
ASS personnel for. example. have enough-kerosene for' their lai ps, they are
.Paid in cash, buy bicycls and cigarette S o m e re
abroad during the. -war - have .._ ockvt-swatches,
the,ro. v'? re It .194.9 50X1-HUM
a
rox 10
t
k
pp
poc
o
watches for approx 1 ,200 inhabitants (b of them :very
"booty" from Germany and Poland-
/There is ...
S E'C R E:T..
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
S E_C R
B5
lack of manpower in the farms. Men x'!.th
There ' i.s still, 8 great'
away at every opportunity from the.. farms to the towns In particular the
demobilise . soldiers do their'best to avoid returning to the L~o1.ective
farms.
3. Life in the,towns
/In the,
SE0R.ET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
la:fe in ?the town uuich easier and better trian. the
("arms .. ;Except POIIrAVA the other. t owns axe filthy, -.1ac Pg ~.in .,essential
civil1sed :: installstion3.
Religion
there is no perseQuti on :.af People . 50X1-HUM
.at the church services. In KOTYELVA two churches are open
YPXA-one. church. open and in "almost all of the larger vi.7.1ages50X1-HUM
one church is open.`-There are comparatively small congregations. People
ih general: believe,. but are ''no longer accusi otned,.to" attend` the-'servi~a
regularly,. The larger ` cdizgregations are at (,"hi^a;stmas Ear or 9-A
EpiPxanY,services when a large number of young, people take part.
Generally speaki.fl the Church does. not exercise. much ~I .nf`luence on, the
population. but Athe- priests,` all of try old 'moil;' are' respected.
Ediicatioa
There are medical. schools (TYEK I1WM) in AKffi]?YRI and in
BOG?UKHOV producing doctors' of very -poor quality. There is also an
agrici11tural TYEI 41= in AKHTYM The only secondary' eehool in the
Region i.e at' KC 'YELVA. The School is located iii,.&" orate goad 'juldirig
'and is well equipped.
t} -elemeitary and. ae~ozs, ecx+y schools 50X1-HUM
hags in,"gehexal a good s a teaohers are close' oorttaot :th
ya a :s:. There ..i s Constant, ] ac .of, `testt hook az `+eopy` ! oolcs~ the
oemsnaGhaols.
6. Anti eAliSM-
~x j;J.?x vJ_~aaa~. ~., _..... _ - - 50X1-HUM
still exists., in the - rural sett1 ernents. ' I n spitb "" ,of' a vary small nilmbex
of. Je*s in the viiIages~~ they always ooc apY the" good positions. rind are
very uA opi lar.among the population.
Tha R sign" drive -iii the Ul sine
50X1-HUM
the larger. percentage of the. town
population"ate, Ruuss ans. In the- z~ural settleri hts -6hey are in the
minority`biat nevertheless they occupybett it positioi7 than the- ~s?
has-nevet 'seen a',P"Zian m a kolkho~
50X1-HUM
vrgrking "in the fa.e). s . They "are in , the arty off a s; , in ko11 how
stores,'they are "brigedirs" on the farms or'work in- the DDS stat3.ans but
work as collective armers
they do not f
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
S E C RIFT
-B6,
In the R9gional0 the .MB and-Militia personnel is almost
entirely Russian: They do not speak or do not like to;speal: Ukrainian and
often behave as "senior brothers"
the number of Russians and-the Russian
domination has, increased considerably..since the 'and of ths,.war..
8. Politiaaueeli
As
previously stated, the rural popuation ,off. the , iQI AV&a ea
could be ' lavir ed into-'.. four .:social-groups:
(i) The" "upper class" consisting of tie troll-paid offioi.a],s.
.technical personnel.
The "aiiddle'F class, -also- liv .ng cornparet vq,y._7ell, whicl3
consists of.. the workers of the industrial or transport
enterprises.
(iii) --The former wartime Red partisans and their. families,.;
favoured by the Government.
(iv) The`low st class consisting of the masses of collo.ctive
farmers.
The first two groups are to a considerable extent Russians and for the
most part they. are the "vigilant Bolsheviks". The last group is a]rnost
entirely Ukrainian, :nlostly very nationalist and anti-Communiat in their-
outlook.
The nationalist Ukrainians undoubtedly hater Russians, Jews
and Corrurnanists but are in general rather passive. During the first
period after the war (1914.5.48) many of there carried out. non-organ sad
sabotage activities against the representatives of the Soviet. regime
During the summer and autumn of 1948 in K0T C iLVA alone _ three members
of the kolkhoz..authorities, among them two.Kolkhoz Chairmen, were
killed ,and one was wounded. There were many cases of robbery of the
kolkhoz -stores and Party offices but there was no organised action and
no political idea or-leadership.
at present there is no guerilla 50X1-HUM
warfare in Ukrainian territory except in the areas which until '939
belonged to POLA M . people were always talking .about 50X1-HUM
tho famous "BANDERA" partisans fighting somewhere in the west but no-one.
has ever seen.a real anti-Soviet partisan there.- Single .acts.. of sabotage
always were and still are carried but .in various parts of the tjkraine ' but
there is not a large-scale anti-Soviet action axed it rould be a great
mistake to count on it. People live there in the atmosphere of distrust
and depression. They are very tired morally and physica7ly'and'absolutely.
unable to organise any serious action. even in 50X1-HUM
case of a 'war against the west a considerable part of the, rural population,
chiefly officials, workers and" farmer partisans, would support the regime.
The anti-Soviet mass of Ukrainians would,, be most probably hostile but
idle and not ready for any anti-Soviet action until the Allied troops
entered'Soviet territory. The last war experiences with the Germans
exercised. a considerable influence on the Ukrainian. mentality.
/9. morals ....
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
SEC -RET
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
SECRET
- B7 -
9 50X1-HUM
the general standard of morals in the
POLTAVA area is comparatively high.
There are many cases of theft ' and robbery but people rob
chiefly the Government stores and steal food and Clothing. Murders
occur very seldom. Women are safe in the rural settlements, There.
-is a lot of fighting among the youth but'this is an old tradition of -
famous bandits and Cossacks which. still.survivep. Men are often brutal
and; very ride but they are not completely demoralised. A 'considerable
number of people indulge in alcohol but. the "autkorities" drink m 'ah
more than. the peasants because the latter have no money for.. vodka
There are-also many fewer hooligans in the villages than in the towns.
'Married families live in general quietly atud, properly.
Youths have very little moral restraint but the married women behave
tbamselves decently as'a rule,.
It appears that the rural population, except the ipper
privileged classes; is Hitch, cleaner morally than physically. For
-of their houses, caused by poverty and very low standard of civilisation,
is really disastrous.
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
Next 6 Page(s) In Document Denied
Iq
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
952
SECRET
SECURITY INFORMATION
INFORMATION REPORT REPORT
C,QUNTRY USSR
CD
DAT
NO.
E DISTR.
15 Oct o
19
50
4UBJECT Effect on Soviet Population of Soviet Propaganda
NO
OF PAGE
S 1
Against the West
)
(
ATE OF
NO.
OF ENCL
3 pages
S. 1
I.N FO.
(LIST
ED BELOW)
?PLACE
ACQUIRE
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATI.ONAL DEFENSE
OF THE UNITED STATES, WITHIN THE MEANING OF TITLE 10, SECTIONS 793
AND 794, OF THE U.S. CODE, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR REVE-
LATION OF ITS CONTENTS TO OR RECEIPT BT AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS
PROHIBITED BY LAW. THC REPRODUCTION OF.THIS FORM IS PROHIBITED.
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
# Not graded
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
RERU4CE COPY
00
ROT Giid~~~pTE
CLASSIFICATION
ARMY ]C AIR _LX. FBI X
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
S E C R E T
S E C R E T
IX IC'
GT CST SOVIET POPULATIC>Z' OF SOVIET PROPAGASNIDAGAINST THE VEST
INDEX
Effect on Soviet population of
Soviet propaganda against the
West
Effect On Soviet o ulatian.of Soviet Pro a againstALW West
from; the towns are inclined to believe the Soviet propaganda more read;L2y
than the villagers and support the Sovie' policy for the simple reason
that they live batter than. the rural. population and because the percentage
of real Communists is much larger in the towns than in the villages.
Often during discussions on various problems such as politics, economics,
etc. the most ardent Communists 50X1-HUM
and the most chauvinistic were always workers' from MOSC0T and the MOSCOW
Province. They were usually supported by the GORKIY workers. The
soldiers from LENINGRAD wore much quietor and undoubtedly less pro-
Soviet than those from MOSCOW and GORKEL The MOSCOW "bpys" were always
proud. of the Soviet achievements,.' objected. against any criticism of the
life in the USSR and':nere in general strongly anti-'astern.
in the USSR and in Germany -I almost every
one who was very loyal to the regime and glorified the life .in Russia 50X1-HUM
th
enc.
e Soviet achievements, attacking the West, was either in a good
position himself or had some one of his nearest relatives well situated
in the Party,, in a Government office or in industry.
^
the greater part of the Government defenders supported 50X1-HUM
the
re
i
l
f
t
,
g
me pure
y
or ma
erialistic reasons.
/On the ..,
S E C R E T
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
S E C R E T
- 02 ..
On the other hand people from the town are rich more highly
educated and better "fed" ? with, Comm.] t . Vropaganda than .the villagers.
A .collective -farmer or.-. - farm wo~rIcer is less eduoated a and. politically'
developed but also much. more- physically and, morally than the t r'n
People..-the villagers also five xrtuch more reason to be dissatisfied
and have ,more evidence against the Government policy.. The conditions
in which they ~ivc .speak for,.,thamselves, ,.
.This moral and phyaioal tiredness is for. a collective farmer
the best ,. reason against any propaganda anti- or prQ-0QmmUfl]St A
villa;Eer does not believe in anything the Soviet propaganda. says..
as "1 APR S1 IY TRtID" (waste of time At the same time a villa ;er is
notjprepared',to:believe everythin propaganda might say:
As long- as the inform the people of the` USSR what is wrong
But information
in the-Soviet Union the peasants would believe them
on would be . re cawed rather cautiouS]y. A
Soviet collea ive farmer rea se's: how'. ho lives and knows that-anywhere.
outside the USSR life must-.be, better, though he would never :'believe in
the existence of .absolute happiness anytirhoro.
for a: Soviet. peasant the best propaganda
containing clothing, food or various
lif
e . r.. r--_ _- - -
things- which. could improve his standard. of
''very suspicious
Uksaa:n~.an .peasa:nts are
and it., is always a :very. long time before they will trust a stranger.
During the last-; wa:: they were "liberated" -Ihvi,oe, .once by the Germans
^ nd. for the second-'. time by the Soviets'. in the POTIrAVA' area the.
ma ority of peasants g eeted the Germans as liberators but about sax.
months .later the .woods ire full of anti-German partisans' because they
:wtd..beenrbitteily do calved by the Germans In 19 3 they wore libers.tocl
f'rom` the s but; the, Soviet's punished' them severely for their','short
period. o f ~icay 7 Y e 6xastencse under. 'the Germans.. Then agai h v? the
period 0 ':., gloat. expect ,to f, a new life after the victor .:over
Germs, `f ollovrea y t . disastrous famine of 1946 and a new wave of
Soviet economic ar po itical terror At present after-'al.1..these
experiences they tired and disillusioned. Therefore. propaganda
among:. theU.krainilpeasants' is a very complicated problem a ,needs
very ae],icate- hen 4
itbocamc clear that before starting, any
a'ctiviti'es there it is very ess?ntial to realise:-
propaganda
(a) *1 at an average Ukraini:ari.peasant knows about the Soviet
poll r; .
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
(d) what is the best. method of propaganda.
The first question can be aliswerea:vOxy easily: an average
T kraina.an .peasant knows everything about the Soviet policy. He does not
now or understand the complicated scientific the_gri es? o? Cburznr sdoos
general arc, political and -economic . policies . in particular,
know the . practical life , very well and what happened to him during the
At present nothing. can change his attitude'taavards the
lest 35..Years en' -for aworking
Soviet regime no half-measures ,such as increase of pay.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
/day or see.
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457R013700240007-1
SECRET
03. -
any or bicycles ' for sale in the Regional stores; nothing but the.compJ,ate
freedom of life and work, no' amalgamation but liquidation of the collective
fares coi4d probably take him softer. Owing to their experience and their
attitude, Ukrainian peasants do not believe anything that the Kremlin says,
either in the future happiness of life in Russia or that, the Russiaha
invented radio, tanks and aeroplanes. 50X1-HUM
The last point is what is the best 'method of :successful
propaganda there.
The foreign broadcasts which can do much among the workers, in the towns
and, industrial.,.s?ttl?ments are almost useless in the villages. Those
couple of sets in.large villages, chiefly in, the clubs ;oir.
.
belonging to. the local "big men", are not available to the average
peasant.
50X1-HUM
The best method of propaganda, would be leaflets,
provided that they contained good material, and there was no doubt that.they
had been rnado abroad and toot in the noarost wood or in the POLTAVA !GB
printing office.
50X1-HUM
would be the real evidence that
suffering people in the Ukraine
and at the same time they would prove .that the Soviet raghne' is not strong
enough to stop foreign propaganda inside the USSR.
50X1-HUM
it would not be necessary to distribute
the leaflets in large quantities. A 'good leaflet Would be road by hundreds
of, people and passed. from one village to another. even taster than the 3B
alarm .signals. A. good printed propaganda would undoubtedly yaks up the'
ants:--Soviet section of- Ukrainian peasantry `which apart from "their feeling
is rather passive and suffers from lack'of initiative and leadership.
S E C R E T
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/06/21: CIA-RDP82-00457RO13700240007-1
honestly think about the