Uspješan napad ukrajinskih snaga na neprijateljsko zrakoplovstvo tisućama kilometara od ukrajinske granice mnogi uspoređuju s trojanskim konjem. Trojanski konj, odnosno vojna lukavost osvajača slavne Troje, široko je poznat. I način na koji je ova operacija izvedena zaista podsjeća na ratne lukavosti iz legendi.

Međutim, u ukrajinskom društvu javlja se još jedna, ništa manje zanimljiva asocijacija. I ona je povezana s drevnom poviješću Rusi, srednjovjekovne države koja je postojala na području današnje Ukrajine. To je epska priča o kneginji Olgi.

Kijevska kneginja

Kneginja Olga, supruga kneza Igora, vladala je Rusjom 20 godina kao regentkinja svom maloljetnom sinu. Njezina vladavina donijela je centralizaciju vlasti u rukama Kijeva. Uvela je sustavne poreze. Olga je bila prva stanovnica Rusi koja je prihvatila kršćanstvo. Održavala je bliske veze s Bizantom. Također se brinula o procvatu trgovačkih puteva “od Varjaga do Grka”: od sjeverne Europe preko Dnjepra do Crnog mora. Njezin unuk, knez Volodimir, krstio je Rusju 988. godine. U 16. stoljeću Olga je kanonizirana od strane Pravoslavne i Katoličke crkve. Ali danas je se sjećamo ne zbog toga.

Osvetoljubiva Olga

Olga je došla na kijevsko kneževstvo nakon ubojstva svoga muža 944. godine. Drevljani, jedno od plemena od kojih je knez skupljao danak, ubili su ga. I Olga im se odlučila osvetiti za to. Pogubljenja i izravni vojni sukobi pokazali su se nedovoljnima. Stoga se Olga poslužila lukavstvom. Kao danak, zatražila je od Drevljana golubove i vrapce. Navečer su za noge ptica privezali trut, zapalili ga i pustili ptice. Golubovi i vrapci vratili su se na uobičajena mjesta svog boravka – pod krovove kuća i u golubarnike. Tako je kneginja do temelja spalila grad Drevljana. I imala je svoju savršenu osvetu.

Suvremene ptice

Dronovi koji se koriste u ratu u Ukrajini se često nazivaju “pticama”. I zato jato “ptica” koje je uništilo vojne zrakoplove na njihovoj vlastitoj bazi podsjeća nas na golubove kneginje Olge.

Na fotografiji je spomenik kneginji Olgi u centru Kijeva.

Angry Birds

Many compare the successful Ukrainian attack on enemy aircraft, thousands of kilometers from Ukraine’s border, to the Trojan horse. The Trojan horse, a military ruse used by the conquerors of glorious Troy, is widely known. And indeed, the way this operation was carried out strongly recalls legendary military stratagems.

However, in Ukrainian society, another, no less interesting, association comes to mind. It’s connected to the ancient history of Rus’, a medieval state that existed on the territory of modern Ukraine. This is the epic tale of Princess Olga.

The Kyivan Princess

Princess Olga, wife of Prince Ihor, ruled Rus’ for 20 years as regent for her young son. Her reign brought the centralization of power into Kyiv’s hands. She introduced systematic taxes. Olga was the first resident of Rus’ to adopt Christianity. She maintained close ties with Byzantium and also fostered the prosperity of the “from Varangians to Greeks” trade route, stretching from Northern Europe through the Dnipro to the Black Sea. It was her grandson, Prince Volodymyr, who baptized Rus’ in 988. In the 16th century, Olga was canonized by both the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. But we remember her today not for that.

Olga’s Revenge

Olga assumed the principality in Kyiv after her husband’s murder in 944. The Drevlians, one of the tribes from whom the prince collected tribute, killed him. And Olga decided to avenge him. Executions and direct military confrontation proved insufficient for her. So, Olga resorted to cunning. As tribute, she demanded doves and sparrows from the Drevlians. In the evening, tinder was tied to the birds’ legs, set alight, and the birds were released. The doves and sparrows returned to their usual dwelling places — under the eaves of houses and in dovecotes. In this way, the princess burned the Drevlians’ city to the ground, achieving her perfect revenge.

Modern Birds

Drones used in this war are often called “birds” in Ukraine. And that’s why the flock of “birds” that annihilated military aircraft at their own base reminds us of Princess Olga’s doves.

The photo accompanying this article shows a monument to Princess Olga in the center of Kyiv.