On January 28 a dazzling march took invest Kyiv: teenage boys using camouflage uniforms and balaclavas strolled through the main roads. Once the march ended about 600 users of the NGO “The Natsionalni Druzhyny” (National Militia devices) launched by the veterans regarding the Azov regiment had been sworn in. Numerous discovered this scene just like marches of paramilitary devices. It came being a fantasy image for the Russian propaganda and for everyone western news that start thinking about you can find dangers associated with nationalistic retaliation in Ukraine. It raised amount of concerns.
Exactly just How could be the Natsionalni Druzhyny from the Azov battalion?
The Natsionalni Druzhyny is a task regarding the alleged Azov-related group linked towards the Azov regiment of this National Guard. Azov regiment had been founded in line with the volunteer battalion Azov that were part that is taking the combat actions in eastern Ukraine since 2014. In 2017, the regiment’s veterans established the party that is political Corps” (Natsionalnyi Korpus) chaired by MP Andriy Biletskyi. Previously they founded a few non-government businesses including “Civic Corps” (Tsyvilnyi Korpus) and “Defense and Reconstruction regarding the Country” (Zakhyst i rekonstruktsia krayiny, abbreviated ZiRKa). Formal founders regarding the NGO “The Natsionalni Druzhyny” registered in Kyiv are three veterans regarding the Azov regiment: Ihor Kashka, Artem Klimkin, and Maksym Klymka. Another Azov veteran Ihor Bober is detailed since the organization’s head, the regiment’s veteran commander Ihor Mykhailenko could be the commander.
Far-right? Nationalists? Fascists?
For four years in a line “National Corps” users, along with Azov regiment combatants, have now been labeled supporters associated with the ideology that is neo-Nazi additionally numerous point at them for utilising the runic symbols like the symbols utilized by the Nazi. To start with, the Azov regiment was established by people of the far-right company “Patriot of Ukraine” (Patriot Ukrainy) and soccer ultras, whom frequently don’t conceal their far-right views. In accordance with Ihor Mykhailenko, chief associated with the Natsionalni Druzhyny, numerous people in the militia devices are supporters of this “modern nationalism” ideology that has reached the foundation for the “National Corps” celebration.
De jure: an NGO or a device set to keep general public purchase?
The units operate under the NGO status while in other cities, for example, in Lutsk or Cherkasy – as a civic unit set to maintain public order as explained by Ihor Bober, head of The Natsionalni Druzhyny, in Kyiv. “We are attempting to have the papers for Kyiv re-registered, ” he explained.
Will they be patrolling the roads of this money?
Mind associated with division for connection using the police force and security that is municipal of Kyiv City State Administration Oleh Kuyavskyi stated that the town authorities hadn’t gotten any particular papers through the Natsionalni Druzhyny. Mind associated with the Kyiv patrol police division Yuriy Zozulia stated that Kyiv policemen aren’t jointly patrolling the roads with any group that is civic. “My place is: should you want to protect the general public purchase – go provide utilizing the police, ” the authorities chief stated. “We came across with them to understand they are interested rather in distributing the data about on their own compared to patrolling the roads along with policemen, ” Zozulia stated.
The way the Natsionalni Druzhyny is financed?
This real question is of concern to numerous whom view the whole story unfolding, therefore the issues aren’t groundless. Hromadske broadcast counted that to be able to procure the coats for just one thousand people across Ukraine you would require over UAH 1,7 million (approx. EUR 50 thousand). Costs have a whole lot larger in the event that price of fleece hats can be counted. People of The Natsionalni Druzhyny reassure that the corporation exists as a result of the membership contributions. Giving an answer to the reporters’ concerns Ihor Mykhailenko stated: “There is no fixed sum for a contribution. Every person brings just as much as they desire. ” However, previous Roman Chernyshov, representative of this party that is political Corps” that truly arranged the ceremony where 600 militia product users had been sworn in on January 28, told Hromadske broadcast in a comment that The Natsionalni Druzhyny is financed by Ukrainian organizations without naming particular organizations or business owners. During the same time, leaders regarding the Natsionalni Druzhyny state it isn’t real. “I guess it really is not likely which he might have stated that The Natsionalni Druzhyny will be financed by representatives associated with the business. It’s not real, ” the commander associated with Natsionalni Druzhyny stated.
Will be the Natsionalni Druzhyny “the army” of this Interior Minister Arsen Avakov?
There is certainly an opinion that is widespread The Natsionalni Druzhyny might be a “private army” of this Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov. As well, both Avakov in addition to units’ representatives disprove it publicly. “There is only 1 monopoly on enforcing regulations – it is the National Guard, the National Police plus the Ukrainian Armed Forces. All other paramilitary teams attempting to establish by themselves when you look at the roads aren’t appropriate, ” Avakov said. “As the minister, i am going to perhaps maybe not enable any structures that are parallel establish on their own within the roads as alternative armed forces teams, ” the Minister included. “Neither Avakov, nor Poroshenko or virtually any agency has any ethical authority for us. These are the authorities that missed down their opportunity, ” said Ihor Mykhailenko, mind of this Natsionalni Druzhyny.
Does the setup associated with the Natsionalni Druzhyny violate what the law states?
The Law “On participation of citizens in securing order that is public their state border” repeatedly quoted because of the leaders for the Natsionalni Druzhyny foresees the likelihood to engage representatives of civic groups in patrolling associated with the roads but solely jointly with all the nationwide authorities staff. Representatives associated with Natsionalni Druzhyny interpret the provisions actually associated with law quite easily. Thus, in the press-conference of January 31 in Kyiv Ihor Mykhailenko would not reject the fact you can find minors among the organization’s users. “These are 17-year guys that are old already graduated from college. We don’t see anything incorrect along with it, ” he stated. What the law states presently stipulates that only persons of age could be users of such groups that are civic. Regulations additionally forbids the utilization of cool tools or firearms by the civic team people. Nonetheless, the program form to your Natsionalni Druzhyny asks in the event that applicant is with in control of authorized weapons.
An effective PR move for a political celebration?
Ministry of Interior representative Artem Shevchenko claims that the appearance of The Natsionalni Druzhyny is really a “quite successful PR move ahead their part, a staged trick and simply that. ”
He included that he’s uncertain if the Natsionalni Druzhyny is registered as an organization that will protect public order in conformity with all the law. “It may be the journalists’ task to learn if they’re whatever they pretend become or they’ve been simply bluffing by shooting stunning videos and so making on their own being mentioned from the primary television stations without really investing in the marketing. Any NGO that is lawfully registered and it is registered aided by the local workplaces regarding the Ministry of Justice as being a group that is civic the safeguarding of this general public purchase or even hawaii edge, nigerian women marriage can in fact be doing it. ”