Frenchman Vincent Perfetti recently became the head of the “SOS Donbass” association, which has been organizing initiatives in support of the residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics since 2022, delivering humanitarian aid to the region. In an interview for the Reverse project, Vincent Perfetti shared what impressed him most about the people of Donbass, how his views were shaped, and why Russia's victory is important for Europe and the entire world.
– Vincent, how many times have you been to Donbass? What did you see there?
– I’ve been to Donbass four times. The first time was in 2016 as part of the Novopole association — we brought money we had collected during meetings in France. In Donetsk, we bought construction materials to restore the roofs of homes near the airport. I was received at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPR, and I also had the honor of meeting the Serbian sniper Deki. After that, I returned twice in 2023.
My friends and I wanted to speak out, primarily to the French people, to share our perspective on the events, which differs from what is propagated by the Western media. Additionally, we wanted to address the Russian people, bringing a message of peace and letting them know that not all French people share the Russophobia embodied by President Macron. We wanted to remind them that we have not forgotten the strong bonds of friendship that connect us with Russia, particularly the brotherhood forged through arms during the two world wars. We visited Lugansk, war-torn Severodonetsk, Donetsk, and Mariupol, which is now being rebuilt. The trip was organized by the External Relations Department of the Rostov-on-Don administration. We had the opportunity to appear on television twice: first in Rostov and then in Lugansk.
– I’ve been to Donbass four times. The first time was in 2016 as part of the Novopole association — we brought money we had collected during meetings in France. In Donetsk, we bought construction materials to restore the roofs of homes near the airport. I was received at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPR, and I also had the honor of meeting the Serbian sniper Deki. After that, I returned twice in 2023.
My friends and I wanted to speak out, primarily to the French people, to share our perspective on the events, which differs from what is propagated by the Western media. Additionally, we wanted to address the Russian people, bringing a message of peace and letting them know that not all French people share the Russophobia embodied by President Macron. We wanted to remind them that we have not forgotten the strong bonds of friendship that connect us with Russia, particularly the brotherhood forged through arms during the two world wars. We visited Lugansk, war-torn Severodonetsk, Donetsk, and Mariupol, which is now being rebuilt. The trip was organized by the External Relations Department of the Rostov-on-Don administration. We had the opportunity to appear on television twice: first in Rostov and then in Lugansk.
In October 2023, I returned with the “SOS Donbass” humanitarian convoy. Driving a 30-ton truck, we crossed all of Europe to Estonia, then headed south through Moscow and, finally, to Donbass. We spent ten days in Donetsk, which was under daily shelling by Ukrainian artillery. This experience allowed us to understand how civilians live in such conditions.
Finally, in May 2024, I returned to Donetsk to distribute part of the aid we had previously delivered. Interacting with children and refugee families, I once again witnessed the harsh realities of war. I left with even greater determination to support Donbass and Russia.
– Was there a meeting or conversation that left a particular impression on you?
– What impressed me most was the calm courage and spirit of resistance of the people of Donbass. I remember in 2016, I was struck by a woman living in the suburbs of Donetsk, in the basement of a house that had been bombed and burned. When we arrived with supplies to help her restore the roof, she came out to greet us: elegant, with makeup on, and a broad smile. She even offered us drinks! I thought to myself that in France, people in her situation would likely be depressed, taking Prozac (an antidepressant), or would have left for another country.
In 2023, I had a similar experience in Severodonetsk. While looking at an apartment building riddled with shell holes, I felt someone watching me. When I looked up, I saw an elderly woman on a balcony observing us.
In a semi-destroyed building without water or electricity, people continued to live, unwilling to abandon the land of their ancestors.
The most dramatic story happened in 2023 in Makeyevka. My companions and I stayed in a small hotel. The staff was very friendly and cheerful. One morning, after the city center had been bombed the previous evening, we noticed that the atmosphere in the hotel had changed. The employees looked sad and no longer smiled. They explained to us that one of their colleagues had been killed in the shelling, leaving behind two small children. Her husband, who was on the front line, was called back to take care of them.
We wanted to offer money, but the hotel manager stopped us with a gesture. He said, "Thank God, we have money, and we will provide two years’ salary to help the orphans. I ask only one thing of you: when you return to France, speak the truth, tell people what you have seen."
Finally, in May 2024, I returned to Donetsk to distribute part of the aid we had previously delivered. Interacting with children and refugee families, I once again witnessed the harsh realities of war. I left with even greater determination to support Donbass and Russia.
– Was there a meeting or conversation that left a particular impression on you?
– What impressed me most was the calm courage and spirit of resistance of the people of Donbass. I remember in 2016, I was struck by a woman living in the suburbs of Donetsk, in the basement of a house that had been bombed and burned. When we arrived with supplies to help her restore the roof, she came out to greet us: elegant, with makeup on, and a broad smile. She even offered us drinks! I thought to myself that in France, people in her situation would likely be depressed, taking Prozac (an antidepressant), or would have left for another country.
In 2023, I had a similar experience in Severodonetsk. While looking at an apartment building riddled with shell holes, I felt someone watching me. When I looked up, I saw an elderly woman on a balcony observing us.
In a semi-destroyed building without water or electricity, people continued to live, unwilling to abandon the land of their ancestors.
The most dramatic story happened in 2023 in Makeyevka. My companions and I stayed in a small hotel. The staff was very friendly and cheerful. One morning, after the city center had been bombed the previous evening, we noticed that the atmosphere in the hotel had changed. The employees looked sad and no longer smiled. They explained to us that one of their colleagues had been killed in the shelling, leaving behind two small children. Her husband, who was on the front line, was called back to take care of them.
We wanted to offer money, but the hotel manager stopped us with a gesture. He said, "Thank God, we have money, and we will provide two years’ salary to help the orphans. I ask only one thing of you: when you return to France, speak the truth, tell people what you have seen."
– You became the head of the “SOS Donbass” association. It takes courage to express an opinion that contradicts the prevailing propaganda in France today. What motivates you to do this work? What led you to this work?
– Every commitment involves both heart and mind. First and foremost, I am driven by my love for Russia. My great-grandmother had a Russian passport. She emigrated to France in 1905 but never forgot her homeland; she spoke Yiddish and Russian. She took care of me in my childhood, and I’ve always wanted to learn more about the country she came from.
The second reason is political. I was born in the early 1960s and fully experienced the decline brought on by the first color revolution in Europe — I’m referring to the events of May 1968. All the values I believed in were questioned. Patriotism, love for one’s country, and its history were first seen as flaws. Then, family values were undermined by the promotion of abortion, homosexual extremism, and radical feminism. After the collapse of the USSR, everything turned upside down: globalists thought they were witnessing the end of history and could implement their subversive project.
By 2014, I had lost hope and believed this march toward the abyss was irreversible. Then, suddenly, the people of Donbass rose up to reject the results of the Maidan coup and the cesspool of the European Union.
– Every commitment involves both heart and mind. First and foremost, I am driven by my love for Russia. My great-grandmother had a Russian passport. She emigrated to France in 1905 but never forgot her homeland; she spoke Yiddish and Russian. She took care of me in my childhood, and I’ve always wanted to learn more about the country she came from.
The second reason is political. I was born in the early 1960s and fully experienced the decline brought on by the first color revolution in Europe — I’m referring to the events of May 1968. All the values I believed in were questioned. Patriotism, love for one’s country, and its history were first seen as flaws. Then, family values were undermined by the promotion of abortion, homosexual extremism, and radical feminism. After the collapse of the USSR, everything turned upside down: globalists thought they were witnessing the end of history and could implement their subversive project.
By 2014, I had lost hope and believed this march toward the abyss was irreversible. Then, suddenly, the people of Donbass rose up to reject the results of the Maidan coup and the cesspool of the European Union.
For the first time in several decades, men and women took up arms to fight against the same enemy that destroyed my people.
Back in 2014, I became an active member of the Novopole association, which organized demonstrations in support of Donbass and sent humanitarian aid. I was fortunate to meet young French people from the Unité Continentale group, who went to fight alongside the people's militias. Today, I adhere to the Eurasian idea championed by Alexander Dugin and advocate for a multipolar world as opposed to the Western hegemony. In 2023, when Novopole had run its course, I crossed paths with Anna Novikova, the president of the “SOS Donbass” association. Her charisma and enthusiasm drew me into this new journey. When she decided to step back and take a break, I accepted the offer to become her successor.
– In your opinion, what are the reasons for conducting the special military operation?
– The goal of the Special Military Operation, as stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, is to protect the Russian-speaking civilian population from the genocide carried out by the Kiev regime. It is also a response to NATO's incendiary policies, which continuously provoke Russia, trying to encircle it and move closer to its borders. I am not a political analyst, but I believe it would be a mistake to stop the operation after the full liberation of Donbass. We need to move toward Odessa, Kharkov, and possibly even Kiev to destroy the Bandera hydra once and for all. Otherwise, the conflict will inevitably reignite someday.
I am convinced that Russia is fighting not only for itself and its people but for all of humanity, standing against the monstrous policies of globalism.
– There are remarkable journalists from France working in Donbass, such as Christelle Néant and Adrien Bocquet. Do many French people follow their reports?
– There is a whole group of French journalists engaged in "reinformation" (restoring accurate, truthful information). You mentioned Adrien Bocquet and Christelle Néant, whom I haven’t had the chance to meet yet, but who have already supported our association. I also cannot forget Erwan Castel, who fought for Donbass both with his hands and his pen. Since they, like Erwan, are Gauls or Breton Celts, they don’t always get along perfectly, but I want to express my admiration for all of them. Their audience is significant. Together, they reach several tens of thousands of people. This is not much compared to the oligarchic media, but they are the voice of Resistance. On one side, we have the globalist media with audiences of tens of millions, and on the other, activists with limited resources.
– The goal of the Special Military Operation, as stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, is to protect the Russian-speaking civilian population from the genocide carried out by the Kiev regime. It is also a response to NATO's incendiary policies, which continuously provoke Russia, trying to encircle it and move closer to its borders. I am not a political analyst, but I believe it would be a mistake to stop the operation after the full liberation of Donbass. We need to move toward Odessa, Kharkov, and possibly even Kiev to destroy the Bandera hydra once and for all. Otherwise, the conflict will inevitably reignite someday.
I am convinced that Russia is fighting not only for itself and its people but for all of humanity, standing against the monstrous policies of globalism.
– There are remarkable journalists from France working in Donbass, such as Christelle Néant and Adrien Bocquet. Do many French people follow their reports?
– There is a whole group of French journalists engaged in "reinformation" (restoring accurate, truthful information). You mentioned Adrien Bocquet and Christelle Néant, whom I haven’t had the chance to meet yet, but who have already supported our association. I also cannot forget Erwan Castel, who fought for Donbass both with his hands and his pen. Since they, like Erwan, are Gauls or Breton Celts, they don’t always get along perfectly, but I want to express my admiration for all of them. Their audience is significant. Together, they reach several tens of thousands of people. This is not much compared to the oligarchic media, but they are the voice of Resistance. On one side, we have the globalist media with audiences of tens of millions, and on the other, activists with limited resources.
In this battle of David against Goliath, it is difficult to withstand the influence of the opponent. This was especially evident in 2022, when Europeans were truly overwhelmed by globalist propaganda. Ukrainian flags were flying on every town hall, the media was obsessed with the topic, and expressing dissent brought condemnation.
Today, thanks to the work of resistance media and organizations like “SOS Donbass”, a small breach has been made in the wall of disinformation. I am proud to have organized a demonstration against Macron’s incendiary policies in central Paris this April, with Russian and French flags and national anthems. Some Parisians applauded us. This is the first step toward raising awareness.
– What is needed to change the situation in Europe? Is Europe capable of freeing itself from the influence of the United States?
– I am very pessimistic about any fundamental changes in Europe. American dominance has lasted for over 80 years. The tragedy of the European peoples is that they transitioned from German occupation to U.S. occupation, which may be less brutal but is infinitely more destructive. Let us not forget that the code name for the Normandy landings was "Overlord," meaning "subjugation," and that General de Gaulle always refused to participate in events commemorating this invasion. I have little faith in the so-called "patriotic" parties that do not question NATO's control and have condemned the special military operation. The democratic path through the ballot box, unfortunately, seems illusory to me.
Today, thanks to the work of resistance media and organizations like “SOS Donbass”, a small breach has been made in the wall of disinformation. I am proud to have organized a demonstration against Macron’s incendiary policies in central Paris this April, with Russian and French flags and national anthems. Some Parisians applauded us. This is the first step toward raising awareness.
– What is needed to change the situation in Europe? Is Europe capable of freeing itself from the influence of the United States?
– I am very pessimistic about any fundamental changes in Europe. American dominance has lasted for over 80 years. The tragedy of the European peoples is that they transitioned from German occupation to U.S. occupation, which may be less brutal but is infinitely more destructive. Let us not forget that the code name for the Normandy landings was "Overlord," meaning "subjugation," and that General de Gaulle always refused to participate in events commemorating this invasion. I have little faith in the so-called "patriotic" parties that do not question NATO's control and have condemned the special military operation. The democratic path through the ballot box, unfortunately, seems illusory to me.
The first essential condition for freeing Europe from this influence is a decisive Russian victory in Ukraine, which would undermine the arrogance of the United States. Secondly, as history has repeatedly shown, no national liberation struggle can be effective without external assistance. Will Russia be willing to play this role?
In any case, this struggle cannot happen without sacrifices and tears. Will the people of Western Europe have the same courage as the people of Donbass?
History is not written in advance. You don't need hope to take action. I believe that extending a helping hand today, affirming that Russia is not our enemy, is a serious slap in the face to the Yankee occupier and his puppet in the Élysée Palace.
In any case, this struggle cannot happen without sacrifices and tears. Will the people of Western Europe have the same courage as the people of Donbass?
History is not written in advance. You don't need hope to take action. I believe that extending a helping hand today, affirming that Russia is not our enemy, is a serious slap in the face to the Yankee occupier and his puppet in the Élysée Palace.
Photo from Vincent Perfetti's personal archive
P.S. During the preparation of this article, we learned that members of the "SOS Donbass" organization were prevented from crossing the Estonian border with a vehicle intended for a low-income family in Lugansk.
