Clashes between pro-Russian and patriotic forces, which took place on May 9 in Kyiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhia and Odesa, show that the threat of revenge in Ukraine still exists. The apologists of the so-called “Russkiy mir” (Russian world) will use any opportunity to destabilize the situation in the South and East of Ukraine. Yesterday, with the help of Putin’s action “Immortal regiment” pro-Kremlin forces turned the Victory Day over Nazism into the day of promotion on blood of heroes of the past and present wars.
Perhaps the most revealing situation was in Dnipro, where the young men, who are associated with the MP from the Opposition Bloc Oleksandr Vilkul, attacked ATO veterans, when they asked the participants of the march, organized by former regional, to remove St. George ribbons and communist symbols prohibited by law.
“They have not forgotten anything. And they have batons and handcuffs for each of us. They will not forgive anything. Neither Maidan, nor the fact that we gave a bloody nose to the so-called “Russian spring”. They will not forgive humiliation and the fact that we deprived them of their power,” wrote Dnipro Mayor, the UKROP representative Borys Filatov on his Facebook page.
During clashes in Dnipro Vladyslav Borodin, deputy of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council from the “Ukrainian Patriots Association – UKROP” faction has also got hurt. In this case, policemen took the side of the attackers, although they had to do everything possible to prevent clashes.
The “Ukrainian Patriots Association – UKROP” calls on the Interior Ministry and the Security Service of Ukraine to counter any manifestations of pro-Russian sentiments more decisively, in particular during public events. After decisions on dismissal of police executives in Dnipro and Dnipropetrovsk region, performers and organizers of the provocations on May 9 should be found and punished, in all cities where they took place, as revanchists’ impunity will nourish new grounds for instability. UKROP also requires to bring to justice those who attacked Vladyslav Borodin.
In addition, the party considers that it is necessary to tighten control over activities of the pro-Russian organizations that are comfortably disguised in Ukraine – up to their complete prohibition. This initiative was also made by the members of UKROP in Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council, who intend to convene an extraordinary session of the Regional Council in order to vote for prohibition of the structures that propagate ideology of the so-called “Russian world”.
