On January 28 a march that is spectacular invest Kyiv: young men putting on camouflage uniforms and balaclavas stepped through the main roads. Once the march ended about 600 people in the NGO “The Natsionalni Druzhyny” (National Militia devices) launched by the veterans associated with Azov regiment had been sworn in. Numerous discovered this scene just like marches of paramilitary devices. It arrived as being a fantasy image when it comes to Russian propaganda and for people western news that give consideration to you can find dangers regarding the nationalistic retaliation in Ukraine. In addition raised a true quantity of concerns.

Just exactly How could be the Natsionalni Druzhyny for this Azov battalion?

The Natsionalni Druzhyny is just a task of this alleged Azov-related group connected to your Azov regiment of this National Guard. Azov regiment ended up being founded on the basis of 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 political celebration “National Corps” (Natsionalnyi Korpus) chaired by MP Andriy Biletskyi. Previously they founded several non-government companies including “Civic Corps” (Tsyvilnyi Korpus) and “Defense and Reconstruction regarding the Country” (Zakhyst i rekonstruktsia krayiny, abbreviated ZiRKa). Formal founders of this NGO “The Natsionalni Druzhyny” registered in Kyiv are three veterans associated with 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 row “National Corps” users, along with Azov regiment combatants, have already been labeled supporters regarding the neo-Nazi ideology, additionally numerous point at them for using the runic symbols much like the symbols utilized by the Nazi. To start with, the Azov regiment ended up being launched by users of the far-right organization “Patriot of Ukraine” (Patriot Ukrainy) and soccer ultras, whom usually try not to conceal their far-right views. In accordance with Ihor Mykhailenko, chief associated with the Natsionalni Druzhyny, numerous people of the militia devices are supporters regarding the “modern nationalism” ideology that has reached the cornerstone for the “National Corps” celebration.

De jure: an NGO or even a product set to keep up order that is public?

As explained by Ihor Bober, mind for the Natsionalni Druzhyny, in Kyiv the devices run beneath the NGO status while in other towns, for instance, in Lutsk or Cherkasy – as a civic device set to keep up general public purchase. “We are attempting to have the papers for Kyiv re-registered, ” he explained.

Will they be patrolling the roads associated with the money?

Mind of this division for relationship aided by the police force and security that is municipal of Kyiv City State management Oleh Kuyavskyi said that the town authorities hadn’t received any particular papers through the Natsionalni Druzhyny. Mind of this Kyiv patrol authorities division Yuriy Zozulia stated that Kyiv policemen aren’t jointly patrolling the roads with any civic group. “My place is: if you’d like to protect the order that is public go provide because of the police, ” the authorities chief stated. “We came across with them to understand they are interested rather in spreading 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 tale unfolding, and also the issues aren’t groundless. Hromadske Radio counted that so that you can procure the coats for just one thousand individuals across Ukraine you might require over UAH 1,7 million (approx. EUR 50 thousand). Costs have a great deal larger in the event that price of fleece hats can be counted. People in The Natsionalni Druzhyny reassure that the company exists due to the membership donations. Giving an answer to the reporters’ concerns Ihor Mykhailenko stated: “There is no fixed amount for a contribution. Every person brings up to they desire. ” However, earlier Roman Chernyshov, representative regarding the governmental celebration “National Corps” that truly arranged the ceremony where 600 militia device people had been sworn in on January 28, told Hromadske broadcast in a comment that The Natsionalni Druzhyny is financed by Ukrainian organizations without naming specific organizations or business owners. During the exact same time, leaders of this Natsionalni Druzhyny state it isn’t real. “I guess it’s unlikely which he may have stated that The Natsionalni Druzhyny has been financed by representatives for the company. It isn’t real, ” the commander associated with the Natsionalni Druzhyny stated.

Would be the Natsionalni Druzhyny “the army” regarding the Interior Minister Arsen Avakov?

There clearly was an opinion that is widespread The Natsionalni Druzhyny might be a “private military” of this Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov. On top of that, both Avakov while the devices’ 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 on their own when you look at the roads aren’t appropriate, ” Avakov said. “As the minister, i shall perhaps maybe not enable any synchronous structures to establish on their own into the roads as alternative armed forces teams, ” the Minister included. “Neither Avakov, nor Poroshenko or virtually any agency has any ethical authority for us. They’ve been the authorities that missed out their chance, ” said Ihor Mykhailenko, head associated with the 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 edge” repeatedly quoted because of the leaders for the Natsionalni Druzhyny foresees the likelihood to activate representatives of civic teams in patrolling for the roads but solely jointly utilizing the nationwide authorities staff. Representatives for the Natsionalni Druzhyny really interpret the conditions associated with legislation quite easily. Hence, during the press-conference of January 31 in Kyiv Ihor Mykhailenko failed to reject the fact you can find minors among the list of organization’s users. “These are 17-year old dudes whom already graduated from college. We don’t see anything incorrect along with it, ” he stated. Regulations currently stipulates that only persons of age may be people in such groups that are civic. What the law states additionally prohibits the employment of cool weapons or firearms because of the group that is civic. Nevertheless, the applying form towards the Natsionalni Druzhyny asks in the event that applicant polish brides at mail-order-bride.net is in control of subscribed tools.

A fruitful PR move for the governmental celebration?

Ministry of Interior representative Artem Shevchenko claims that the appearance of The Natsionalni Druzhyny is a “quite successful PR move ahead their part, a trick that is staged nothing but that. ”

He included that he’s unsure if the Natsionalni Druzhyny is registered as an organization that may protect general public purchase in conformity utilizing the legislation. “It could be the journalists’ task to discover they pretend to be or they are just bluffing by shooting beautiful videos and thus making themselves being mentioned on the main TV channels without actually paying for the advertising if they are what. Any NGO this is certainly legally registered and it is registered with all the local workplaces of this Ministry of Justice as being a civic team for the safeguarding for the public purchase or perhaps the state edge, can in fact be doing it. ”

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