Friends!

On this day in 1787 was born Ustym Karmalyuk - Ukrainian legend, our "Robin Hood" - a noble thief and a national hero. Stories about him were collected by Mykola Kostomarov and Taras Shevchenko, he even was dedicated the opera. Who was he, a living legend?

Ustym Yakymovych Karmalyuk was born in the village Holovchyntsi (now the village Karmalyukove in Vinnytsia region). His parents were peasants, serfs of the local landowner Andrew Joseph Pihlovsky. Ustym has been rebellious since childhood, for the rebel character he was arrested at the master's economy. Then, in 1811, he first escaped from custody. The landowner could not accept the fact that his slave had such character, so he decided to give a guy to the royal army - for 25 years. From there he fled almost immediately and decided to return to his native land and restore order there.

Karmalyuk gathered with the same wayward and brave men like himself and burned mansion of the landowner Pihlovsky. His property he gave to farmers. Ustym was quickly caught by the punitive squad members. He was sentenced to 500 strokes of the rod and detention in the Crimea. But Karmalyuk fled once again. Then he started a real rebel peasant movement in the Ukrainian lands. Peasant riots broke out in different cities. Ordinary people supported Karmaluk, offered him assistance and food. Interesting fact - the movement of Karmalyuk was joined not only by Ukrainian, but also by Poles and Jews. Some of them were his closest aides, never betrayed Ustym. For that they were tortured and deported to Siberia. Karmalyuk because of such a friendship knew not only Russian, but also Polish and Yiddish.

In 1817, Moscow finally caught Karmalyuk, he was sentenced to death. But at the last moment sentence was changed into 25 lashes, branding with a hot iron, and a 10-year of exile in Siberia. But Karmalyuk .. escaped from prison once again and continued his work. Karmalyuk was extremely popular, he was joined by new supporters. It was difficult for his family: Ustym was twice married. Evdokia – his first wife died, leaved him two children. Second wife was Mary, she gave birth to three more. The smallest son Ostap gave up his father when he was caught again. Ustym tried to impersonate a Russian in prison, when the son ran into his arms. Karmalyuk was thrown in Kamenetz-Podolsk fortress ... but he organized his fourth escape together with other prisoners! He was wounded and chained to a stone pillar in the tower, which was later named in his honor.

Subsequently Karmalyuk was sent to Siberia, then - to Tobolsk. Ustym fled again - in the fall, during a night storm, he broke the bars, gathered all the inmates shirts and tied them into a long panel. By the end, he threw it at the fence of the prison. After that all the prisoners escaped, leaving an empty cell.

He always came back to continue his struggle. Once Karmalyuk took gold from the master-extortionist and began to give it to the poor women who were walking nearby. In parting, he said: "Take your gold, let your children at home stop crying... And when I’ll die, remember Karmalyuk ...".

He was a true historical superhero, elusive avenger for the life he has several times been jailed and fled - so strong was his desire to fight.

Ustym Karmalyuk died on the night of the 10th of October, 1835 in the village Track Korychentsi. He was betrayed. Karmalyuk was killed. According to legend Karmalyuk was not killed by a bullet, but with silver buttos, because it was the only way to kill the sorcerer (otherwise people could not explain his escapes and wins). Body of Ustym was drove by the villages to make farmers afraid. Hero was buried in Letechev, and Moscow Tsar Nicholas I personally called killer of the Karmalyuk to St. Petersburg, to reward him with the diamond ring.

Perhaps the years have passed, the story has become more a legend and is not similar to a simple biography. But most importantly, what we can learn from it - truly courageous spirit never dies, regardless of any obstacles.