By Alex Cybriwsky
07.11.2014
Edited by Voices of Ukraine

The recent attacks against Maidan, and current efforts to disperse the Maidan, are an attempt to restrain Putin’s biggest fear, and that of many Ukrainian politicians and oligarchs: that is, the Maidan Effect.

It appears that neo-Nazi fascists with connections to the Interior Ministry’s Azov Battalion, as well as ex-Maidaners from the 17th Sotnya who stand guard by the Verkhovna Rada [Ukrainian Parliament], are being blamed for the recent provocations–attacks against the Self-Defense of Maidan. But who is giving the orders and paying for these armed assaults?

Putin’s number one enemy is the Maidan Effect. Putin’s main objective is to prevent the country from building a successful and democratic Ukraine. The Maidan Effect – that people will stand up and oppose corrupt politicians and oligarchs – is the most powerful antidote to his oppressive system of kleptocracy and dictatorship.

But what’s bad for Putin is just as bad for many current corrupt Ukrainian politicians and oligarchs, actually the same people who held power before the revolution, in the same system which creates and encourages corruption. And so the Maidan Effect’s power is a strong motive for the recent attacks and the Ukrainian government’s efforts to disperse and discredit Maidan.

Midnight July 6th-7th. The attackers were a neo-Nazi group of around 30 people. At least 200 well-organised fighters from Maidan opposed them, and are real heroes for fighting the fascists.

The neo-Nazi group first attacked a gay club on Zankovetska Street, throwing rocks and explosives at the door. They were screaming slogans that they were the “SS,” large Nazi tattoos could be seen, swastikas, one fascist with a massive Nazi eagle tattooed across his back. They then approached Maidan, where up to 100 Maidan Self-Defense forces were on alert for the attackers’ arrival.

A melée broke out, the attackers retreated to Schevchenka Street, chased away by Maidan forces. The neo-Nazis shot first, and so Maidan forces retreated while the fascists stormed.

In response, about 200 Maidan forces quickly mustered into formation between the Christmas tree and the stage in full battle gear, camouflage, protective equipment, shields, guns, truncheons. Orders were issued, the first row was to carry shields and the second arms. The professionalism and discipline was impressive, and it was clear these are veteran fighters. The Maidan forces split into four groups and went in different directions, but mostly back towards the side of Maidan near Schevchenka Street. Perhaps 100 shots were fired. Four injured. Maidan demonstrated its heroism in defeating the fascists. But that story will not be heard.

Instead we hear inaccurate and misleading information in the press, that the organised Self-Defense forces who bravely fought the fascists were instead just drunk and fighting amongst themselves. Does this seem at all like propaganda and a cover-up?

Both the Azov Battalion and the Interior Ministry appear to be giving inaccurate reports that would seem inconceivable to anyone who witnessed the attack. Deputy Commander Igor Mosiychuk of the Azov Battalion claims that drunk Self-Defense members attacked the Azov Battalion. Adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs Anton Gerashchenko, says the fight started because a group broke Maidan rules by covering their faces. In any case not the most logical explanations for a mass melée and shootout involving over 200 people.

Sources on Maidan say the neo-Nazi attackers themselves were members of the Interior Ministry’s Azov Battalion, which itself is closely related to the Social-National Assembly and Patriots of Ukraine. Who paid them to carry out the attack and why?

Members of what was once the 17th Sotnya, who are paid to guard the Verkhovna Rada, attacked Maidan forces on the afternoon of July 1st with riot grenades. Two Maidan tents burned to the ground during a large tire fire started by an unknown arsonist after 2am on June 24th. Meanwhile Maidan Self-Defense forces claim they are being offered 250,000 hryvnia [approx. 21,000 USD] per tent to leave, and complain of stabbings, poisonings, even threats of arrest from the police, kidnappings and murders.

Is this an attempt to discredit Maidan and stop the Maidan Effect?

Unemployment, criminal prosecution, divorce, seizure of stolen assets, imprisonment and even death. For corrupt Ukrainian and Russian politicians and oligarchs, these are the likely outcomes of the Maidan Effect.

And so yesterday’s heroes are honoured, but only if they’re dead. The remaining crusaders who deserve government support, instead are attacked by propaganda, and physically attacked. The hope is to tarnish their image so that Ukraine’s most potent force, its mass uprisings, will seem insignificant and marginal. Politicians and the Ukrainian media repeat over and over, ‘your job is done, now go away.’

The positions of some Ukrainian politicians changed due to the revolution, but the corrupt people and system remain the same. Maidan’s continuing war to overthrow Putin and the corrupt may prove to be as intense as the Revolution, and as necessary. To Putin, to corrupt Ukrainian politicians, to the oligarchs: ‘your job is done, now go away.’