Oleksandr Muzychko was one of the most militant members of the Right Sector group that played a key role in the EuroMaidan Revolution's toppling of President Viktor Yanukovych
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Militant Ukrainian activist Oleksandr Muzychko, known as Sashko Biliy (Sashko the White), was shot dead in a standoff with the police officers late on March 24 in western Ukraine's Rivne Oblast.
Police said Muzychko was killed during a special operation to destroy a criminal group that investigators say Muzychko took part in.
Muzychko, 51, was an active member of the Right Sector, the politicized militarist organization that played a strong role in the EuroMaidan Revolution that ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on Feb. 22.
After initial reports that police officers shot him twice in his heart, police later on March 25 said that Muzychko shot himself before any shots came from police officers.
The finding was scorned by Rights Sector leader Dmytro Yarosh.
Yarosh, a candidate for Ukraine's presidency in the early May 25 election, demanded the resignation of Interior Minister Arsen Avakov and the arrest of officers who participated in operation on Muzychko.
Now, with the protests over and a new government in charge, there is uncertainty about the role that the militant Right Sector will play. Right Sector representatives didn’t get any representation in the government. Thhe organization’s leader, Dmytro Yarosh, declared that he will run for president.
Right Sector members ignored the newly-founded National Guard that recruits activists from the recent protests. In an interview to the Korrespondent magazine Yarosh said he has been “negotiating” with law enforcement institutions about the possibility of the Right Sector’s fighters joining them.
The exact number of Right Sector members is kept in secret, but Yarosh revealed that 10,000 people have joined the organization since the beginning of Russia’s intervention in late February.
The secretiveness and the uncertainty about the Right Sector’s place in the post-revolutionary Ukraine helped to the organization’s bad image among the east Ukraine people, especially those supporting Russia. Russian TV stations picture Yarosh and his people as aggressive fascists.
The murdered Muzychko was a controversial figure and a gift to Kremlin anti-Ukrainian, anti-West propaganda.
On Feb. 24, two days after the protesters’ triumph, Muzychko showed up in the regional council of the western Ukrainian city of Rivne, where he resided, holding a machine gun and refusing to give it back to the government, which had called for activists to surrender illegal weapons this month. The request has been widely ignored.
“Who of you wants to take my gun, come and try,” he said in the recorded speech, putting the machine gun on the table to pull out a polished knife from his belt.
Muzychko said Right Sector will keep the arms to ensure that the new government works honestly and doesn't become corrupt. He called the new Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk a bastard. He was also unhappy with Avakov and threatened “to hang him like a dog.” Avakov countered by saying that Muzychko’s actions were “sabotage against attempts to set an order (in Ukraine), a betrayal of EuroMaidan.”
Roman Koval, coordinator of the Right Sector in Rivne, was quoted by TSN website saying that the Right Sector will seek revenge on Avakov for the murder of Muzychko.
“I take this dare,” said Avakov when asked about the Right Sector’s revenge. “My position about the bandits who carry guns and violate the order will remain harsh.”
http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/police-kill-radical-right-sector-activist-340835.html
Nationalists gather in Kiev. Source: AP
HUNDREDS of Ukrainian far-right nationalists have rallied outside the parliament building in Kiev, smashing windows and demanding the Interior Minister’s resignation, days after police shot dead one of their leaders.
Elite police killed Oleksandr Muzytchko, the regional leader of Pravy Sektor (Right Sector), in a shootout that erupted on Monday during a raid to arrest him in the western city of Rivne.
The authorities have said that Muzytchko opened fire first, and was killed by a bullet from his own weapon.
Pravy Sektor played a crucial role in the deadly protests that unseated pro-Moscow president Viktor Yanukovych last month, and has been branded a neo-Nazi organisation by Russia.
Brandishing the red-and-black flags of the paramilitary group, up to 1000 people rallied near parliament yesterday—Thursday night, local time—to demand the sacking of Interior Minister Arsen Avakov.
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Activists smashed several windows and threatened to force their way into the building, before retreating with a vow to return tomorrow.
Pravy Sektor last weekend formed a political party, electing Dmytro Yarosh as its nationwide leader and putting forward his name as candidate in Ukraine’s presidential election on May 25.
According to Russian news agencies, the group’s slain leader was wanted in Russia, which-accused him of causing the death of about 20 Russian soldiers while fighting alongside separatists in Chechnya.
The heavily built Muzytchko was notorious for YouTube videos in which he was seen brandishing a Kalashnikov in Rivne city council, and roughing up the city’s prosecutor.
http://m.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/farright-activists-turn-on-kiev/story-e6frg6so-1226868022147
Ukraine's interim President Olexander Turchynov has condemned the ultra-nationalist Right Sector, saying the group is bent on "destabilisation".
Right Sector activists blocked the parliament (Rada) building in Kiev on Thursday night and smashed windows.
They blamed the interior minister for the killing of a Right Sector leader.
Meanwhile, ousted President Viktor Yanukovych has called for a national referendum to determine each region's "status within Ukraine".
He fled to Russia last month after massive demonstrations against him and clashes between protesters and police in which more than 100 people died. The Kremlin says the new government in Kiev came to power illegally.
The Right Sector played a key role in the Kiev clashes that led to the removal of Mr Yanukovych
Mr Muzychko died in a shoot-out with police in western Ukraine
"As a president who is with you with all my thoughts and soul, I urge every sensible citizen of Ukraine: Don't give in to impostors! Demand a referendum on the status of each region within Ukraine," said Mr Yanukovych, quoted by Itar-Tass news agency.
In his first comments since Crimea voted to become part of Russia, Mr Yanukovych denounced fresh presidential elections planned for 25 May.
Meanwhile, Russia's defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, said that all Ukrainian service personnel loyal to Kiev have now left Crimea and all military installations there are under Russian control.
'Attempt to destabilise'
The shooting of Sashko Bily is a contract killing ordered by the minister
Roman Koval, Right Sector member
At a parliament session on Friday, Mr Turchynov, called the Right Sector rally outside parliament "an attempt to destabilise the situation in Ukraine, in the very heart of Ukraine - Kiev. That is precisely the task that the Russian Federation's political leadership is giving to its special services".
Right Sector activists are furious over the death of Oleksandr Muzychko, better known as Sashko Bily, one of their leaders. The interior ministry said he died on Monday night in a shoot-out with police in a cafe in Rivne in western Ukraine.
A member of the far-right group in Rivne threatened revenge for the killing of Mr Muzychko.
"We will avenge ourselves on [Interior Minister] Arsen Avakov for the death of our brother. The shooting of Sashko Bily is a contract killing ordered by the minister," Right Sector member Roman Koval was quoted as saying by the Ukrayinska Pravda website.
The Right Sector played a prominent role in the Kiev protests - and the clashes with police - which led to the removal of Mr Yanukovych from power. Its main support base is in western Ukraine.
http://m.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26784236

Revolution in Ukraine continues.
Self - Defense vs Right Sector.