This is a short text version of the final episode of the podcast “We’ll figure it out”, which focuses on people and initiatives that are changing society.
In this episode we introduce you to the project called Pervaya Liniya (“First Line”). It’s a support chat room for those who have suffered from the actions of the Russian state or fear such consequences. Project coordinator and fundraiser Sasha and coordinator and consultant Ksyusha told us all about their work. They also shared the stories of people who had been helped and explained why it is important not only to support them in difficult moments, but also to create conditions for development and a full life.
First line – support in difficult times
“Pervaya Liniya” is a chat room where you can ask any sensitive question and get free help. Today the project team works as a “human rights help desk”, where you can get advice on any issue: from legal to psychological.
“If you find yourself in a situation where you don’t know where to go or what to do, we will help.
We will either give you the answer or tell you where to find it.”
It is especially important for us to help those who are afraid of getting hurt, because this is a huge group of people who are aware of the risk but do not know how to deal with it. This is exactly what the Russian state is trying to achieve – to spread fear and intimidation. So our task is to kind of “de-scare” them. Some people turn to us and literally ask things like: show me the law that I can breathe, that I can stand in a slouched position next to people in uniform, that I can say these words to them and not say others. It seems that they just want to make sure there is a law that allows them to live.
The project started in 2022 shortly after the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and was called Helpdesk.media. Initially, it was an initiative with two major branches: stories about survivors and help in chat rooms. Over time, the focus shifted to supporting people only, and by the end of 2023, “Pervaya Liniya” became an independent project.
How does Pervaya Liniya work?
Questions are distributed among the consultants, who either give an immediate answer or refer to the “knowledge database”. Over 1600 instructions and guides have been accumulated over the lifetime of the project, but if the question is new, a team of reservers is involved.
We search for information in all available ways: in open sources, in law enforcement practice, consult with partners, browse local chat rooms and professional thematic resources. We prepare a detailed response with references and explanations and send it to the person.
If the situation requires targeted assistance, we refer the person to the organization that will best handle the case. We have more than 70 partner-organizations with whom we cooperate and share information.
Psychological help
The psychological help line takes a special place in our work. This is a separate group of volunteer psychologists who help deal with crises.
“We take only those who have experience in text counseling. It’s not just a desire to help, it’s professional work.”
There is also a senior psychologist in the team, an experienced specialist who helps me assess the professional skills of candidates. We realize that for many people it is important to volunteer, but it is not enough for the work on the psychological support line. It takes practice, experience in text counseling or, at the very least, well-developed text communication skills.
What kinds of questions and requests do you get?
🔹Mobilization and the army
How to avoid conscription, what to do if your son who is a conscript was sent to a combat zone.
🔹Protection from the state
How to protect yourself from denunciations and what to do when searched.
🔹Emigration
Adapting in another country and finding support.
🔹Rights and safety of queer people
How to change documents and protect yourself.
🔹Psychological support
Coping with anxiety and stress.
Providing help to those who refused to participate in the war
We are approached by contractors, their relatives and those who have refused to participate in the war. We evaluate requests from the point of view of our principles: if the assistance contradicts them, we explain our position in a polite and delicate manner.
Relatives often ask questions about payments, medical care or legal issues. For example, it happens that a contract worker is killed and the family cannot get compensation. In such cases, we provide applied assistance.
We do not support those who want to continue participating in the war, but we are ready to help people who have decided to leave the front. We also work with deserters, helping them to cope with difficulties both in their own country, where they are outcasts, and abroad.
Stories that inspire the team
We have these inner heroes, often heroines, whom we have been accompanying for a very long time. But this is more of an exception, as we are not in the business of constant individual support.
Krasnoyarsk mother
A single mother raising three sons sought help to keep one of her children out of the army and get a non-conscription category. After we finalized her request, she said: “Call me the Krasnoyarsk Mother. When I see you, I’ll treat you to pies.” We had a real actual relationship with her, with tears, with heart-to-heart talks. She became some kind of a symbol for us, which unites all the mothers with whom we communicate in chat rooms.
Queer couple
A lovely couple who made the decision to evacuate from Russia. One of the partners is a citizen of Uzbekistan, the other of Russia. We helped them leave the country, move to Turkey and then to Germany. It is a long way, but it is important for them to know that they are doing everything right. We helped them a lot, and I do not exclude the possibility of them turning to us again.
Granny from Berdyansk
A woman turned to us with a disturbing story: her grandmother was in Berdyansk and her house was visited by police and searched. This is not the same as a search even in Moscow – Berdyansk is located in a zone where law and security are completely absent. It was difficult to give clear advice, but the first step was the decision to leave urgently. Thanks to our partners, the grandmother was able to leave the dangerous territory. Later, her relative wrote to us in chat: grandma is safe. This was one of those stories where we didn’t just give advice, but brought the case to fruition
Every cent you donate will help the team to help one more person.