Ukraine’s Nationalist Group Assembles Police Force

The growing power of nationalistic groups across the globe no longer comes as a surprise. Instead it has become a sobering reality.

In Ukraine men donning camouflage clothing and face masks march the streets, asserting their power and authority with torches and chants. The group, a testament to the prevalence of fervent and unquestioned nationalism, goes by the name National Militia.

The rise of Ukraine’s vigilante National Militia paints a perfect picture of how the troubling trend of nationalism continues to culminate. National Militia is quickly becoming one of Ukraine’s most dominant ultranationalist organizations. The group remains closely tied to Azov, a far-right military group openly comprising of Neo-Nazis.

The organization has recently taken on a new role, adopting a vigilante police force made up of its young male members. Unhappy with the efforts of the local police, the National Militia insists its role as “protector” is necessary to the survival of Ukraine.

In a recent statement the group stated, “There are many of us. We are not scared to use force to establish a Ukrainian order.” Their mission includes a wide range of focus including targeting street crime, drug dealing, and public intoxication.

The group proudly parades their growing strength, operating in an increasingly public manner. Just last month over 600 of its members marched through Kiev swearing allegiance to Andriy Biletsky, an ultranationalist MP who heads the National Corpus party. The march ended with a torch-illuminated display of aggression.

Biletsky, the politician the group proudly supports, acted as the former commander for Azov. Under his leadership the group openly declared their mission for Ukraine to “lead the white races of the world in a final crusade … against Semite-led Untermenschen [subhumans].”

The displays triggered widespread fear regarding the future of Ukraine’s unsteady democracy with many people drawing staunch parallels between the demonstration in Kiev and 1930s Germany.

The expanding reach of these nationalist organizations raises extreme alarm for ethnic minorities within Ukraine’s borders as well as the international community. The Azov movement has already come under accusation for human rights abuses and remains on the radar of groups such as Freedom House.

A researcher from the Human Rights Watch stated, “We are concerned about rising nationalism in Ukraine and the government’s seeming unwillingness to rein it in. Ukraine’s international donors and supporters should be very worried.”

Leaders of the Kharkiv Human Rights Group linked the group to violent attacks on migrants, foreign students, and those who express their opposition to the group’s ideas.

It therefore seems absurd that a group linked to human rights abuses could protect everyone equally under the law. The country effectively has ultranationalists with Nazi sympathies acting as an authoritative police force, a dangerous precedent with troubling consequences.

The group’s growing capabilities pose a threat to the power of local authorities, who are often the subject of the National Militia’s criticisms. Their ability to effectively organize and rally their forces also causes some concern amongst those critical of the Militia’s true intentions.

It is difficult to assess the impact the National Militia will have in regards to its new policing agenda. However, one thing remains certain – the world needs not to look away, making sure accountability will be held and consequences established for behaviour that threatens the people of Ukraine.

Cameron de Matteis