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

2. 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”?

3. 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

4. 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
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5. 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 , 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
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6. 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
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7. 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
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8. 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
430

9. War in Donbas
Significant role in the start and conduct of the civil war
Right Sector attack on April 20, 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 and February 2015
Business card of Right Sector leader left during April 20th attack ukraine-crisis-business-card- proof-on-shooting-becomes- meme zqxgp.html

10. 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 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

11. 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