- Title: UKRAINE-CRISIS/MARCH Ukrainian nationalists rally in central Kiev
- Date: 14th October 2015
- Summary: KIEV, UKRAINE (OCTOBER 14, 2015) (REUTERS) CROWD AT ST. MICHAEL'S SQUARE WITH UKRAINIAN AND RIGHT SECTOR FLAGS WAVING ABOVE PROTESTERS HOLDING BANNER READING (Ukrainian): 'UKRAINE IS ABOVE ALL' CROWD WITH FLAGS OF SVOBODA (FREEDOM) PARTY GIRL DRAPING UKRAINIAN FLAG OVER SHOULDERS PEOPLE WALKING WITH SVOBODA PARTY FLAGS (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) STUDENT FROM RIVNE, VIKTOR, SA
- Embargoed: 29th October 2015 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Ukraine
- Country: Ukraine
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA1U76H9PRY2R3PE5I4NNKFDJHX
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Several thousand people marched through the streets of Ukrainian capital Kiev on Wednesday (October 14), waving Ukrainian flags and chanting nationalist slogans to mark the symbolic founding date of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).
The march was organised by the nationalist Svoboda (Freedom) party and the far right group Right Sector.
"Today is the intercession of the Holy Virgin, the founding date of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). That is why we are gathered here to mark this holiday. We gather here every year. (And we) demand liberation of our political prisoners," one protester, a student called Viktor, said.
"We need to create the state and then to introduce state holidays. For us the holiday is the day of foundation of the UPA. It is the 73rd anniversary. This is the holiday for us," pensioner Valery said.
The UPA was a radical splinter group of the Ukrainian nationalist movement OUN (Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists), founded by Stepan Bandera, a leader of Ukrainian fighters who fought both Nazi and Soviet forces during World War Two and after.
The OUN and the UPA helped the Nazis carry out the Holocaust while also killing close to 100,000 Polish civilians during World War Two and fighting against the Soviets.
Stepan Bandera is seen in areas of western Ukraine as a hero of the independence struggle but regarded by many in Poland and Israel as well as Russia as a terrorist and Nazi collaborator who died with the blood of thousands on his conscience.
Wednesday's march through central Kiev ended peacefully, with protesters chanting "revolution" and calling for the liberation of political prisoners.
Earlier on Wednesday Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko congratulated Ukrainian servicemen to mark Defenders' Day, which was introduced by presidential decree after national holidays traditionally associated with Russia were dropped.
"We do not need foreign soldiers. Ukrainians have enough military skills and moral courage to defend their land from occupants. But we are grateful for the defensive non-lethal weaponry which we have finally started to receive," Poroshenko said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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