The Far Right in Ukraine During the “Euromaidan” and the War in Donbas Ivan Katchanovski, Ph.D. University of Ottawa

The Issue Politicized and polarized Russian and separatist politicians and the media: “Euromaidan” as a “fascist coup” The Maidan government as a “fascist junta” Governments and mainstream media in the West The role of the far right in the “Euromaidan” and in post-Maidan Ukraine as marginal or insignificant Violent attacks often attributed to the Yanukovych government and his or Russia provocateurs A limited number of academic studies Similar conclusions Research Question: What is the role of the far right in the Ukrainian politics during and after the “Euromaidan”?

Euromaidan Far right organizations Radical nationalist Svoboda Its neo-Nazi affiliate C14 Right Sector Alliance of radical nationalist, neo-Nazi and football ultras organizations Significant but minority representation among the Maidan leadership and protesters From open conflict to open alliance Adoption of Slava Ukraini OUN greeting Neo-Nazi signs in the area of clashes with police Photo by the author

Euromaidan Far right organizations and football ultras played a key role during violent attacks Police dispersal of Maidan protesters on November 30, 2013 Evidence that Maidan opposition knew in advance Presidential administration on December 1, 2013 The parliament of Ukraine in January 2014 Parliament and Party of Regions headquarters on February 18, 2014 Evidence of involvement in killings of first 3 protesters in January 2014 Right Sector on Maidan within hour before violent police dispersal of protesters on November 30, 2013 http://inspired.com.ua/news/bloody- yolka/

Maidan Massacre and Overthrow of the Yanukovych Government Crucial role of the far right in the violent overthrow of the Yanukovych government Involvement in the Maidan massacre of the protesters and the police on February 18-20, 2014 The Right Sector Snipers admissions and GPU investigation Svoboda Snipers in several Svoboda- linked rooms in Svoboda- controlled Hotel Ukraina Maidan sniper fired at BBC TV crew and protesters from Svoboda deputy room on the 11th floor of the Hotel Ukraina https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =zQhuD4F1yJ0

Maidan Massacre and Overthrow of the Yanukovych Government Violence and threats of violence by far right Yanukovych fled Deputies of parliament Desertion and votes But far right acted as a part of oligarchic parties- dominated alliance supported by the Western governments Fatherland Party Stonewalled and falsified investigation Exit holes in shield of killed protestor point to shooters from the back, i.e. Svoboda-controlled Hotel Ukraina © Jerome Sessini / Magnum Photos http://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx? VP3=SearchResult&VBID=&PN=11&IID=2 TYRYDXPOE6X

Odesa Massacre Government planed to use far right organizations to dismantle the separatist camp before May 9, 2014 A separatist group confronted a rally led by Right Sector/ Social-National Assembly/ Patriot of Ukraine and football ultras on May 2, 2014 A Right Sector activist killed during the clashes, likely by separatist group Maidan activist killed from pneumatic gun Four separatists killed from hunting rifles by Maidan activist/activists Right Sector activist charged with killing Right Sector activist shooting at separatist protestors and police https://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=poKlf2P_ZsE

Odesa Massacre Right Sector/Social National Assembly, football ultras, Maidan Self Defence attacked different groups of separatists in Trade Union building Set fire 42 separatists and employees perished Attacker threw burning tire at building entrance at the time of start of deadly fire there http://bambuser.com/v/4585 430

War in Donbas Significant role in the start and conduct of the civil war Right Sector attack on April 20, 2014 broke Geneva and truce agreements Paramilitary formations Right Sector Volunteer Corps OUN battalion De facto full or partial control over many special police and army units Azov regiment, Dnipro, Donbas, Aidar, Sich, and St. Mary’s battalions Intelligence company: UNA- UNSO Not effective against regular Russian units during Russian interventions in August 2014 and February 2015 Business card of Right Sector leader left during April 20th attack http://www.smh.com.au/world/ ukraine-crisis-business-card- proof-on-shooting-becomes- meme-20140421-zqxgp.html

Government and Elections Significant representation of Svoboda in the first Maidan- led government Right Sector leader: advisor to the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Azov/SNA neo-Nazi: First deputy head of National Police 2014 presidential elections Yarosh and Tiahnybok about 1% each Liashko 8% 2014 parliamentary elections Svoboda close to 5% Right Sector 2% But majoritarian candidates elected Radical Party 7% Included some radical nationalist and neo-Nazi candidates Proposed a law concerning the OUN and the UPA

Conclusion Radical nationalist and to a much lesser extent neo-Nazi organizations have achieved significant but not dominant influence in Ukrainian politics during and since the “Euromaidan” Unparalleled influence compared to other major countries Result of their reliance on violence and their alliance with oligarchic Maidan parties Influence of the far right organizations has exceeded their relatively limited popular support Involved in the violent overthrow of the government and the civil war in Donbas Have ability to seize power in Ukraine with help of violence