Ukraine: Government Accused of Hiring Thugs to Attack Protestors

Published: 21 February 2014

titushki

Pro-government supporters rally against EuroMaidan activists. Photo credit: Pavlo Podufalov. Kyiv Post.

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Thousands of protestors have taken to Kiev’s now bloodied and charred streets to protest and demonstrate. However, not all are against the current government. Meet the “Titushki,” thuggish strongmen allegedly hired by the Ukrainian government to support the regime.

Titushki is the plural form of the Ukrainian surname Titushko, reports Deutsche Welle.  The so-called “young thugs in tracksuits” are named after Vadim Titushko, a 20-year-old martial arts practitioner who assaulted two journalists during a pro-government demonstration in Kyiv in May 2013.

During his trial, it was revealed that Titushko was secretly being paid to "protect" a pro-government rally.

In Ukraine, there are thousands of titushki bought into the cities (most often Kyiv) on buses and trains, reports Deutsche Welle. The titushki told anti-government protestors that they are paid from US$34 to US $68  (EUR€ 25 to EUR€50) a day to help the police intimidate and beat up protesters.

“As the tension has escalated in Ukraine, the use of titushki has taken a more sinister turn,” reports the Sydney Morning Herald. “Backed up by unemployed youth, the titushki have been transformed into a state-sponsored, street-fighting militia.” The state denies having any ties to the titushki.

A spokesperson for Human Rights Watch told the newspaper that the titushki have been linked to attacks on at least six journalists.

Deutsche Welle reports that anti-government protestors are not being intimidated by these figures, however. On Tuesday, the anti-government protestors tried to break through a police blockade around the “Anti-Maidan” group.

A Youtube video shows demonstrators throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at the riot police, with one man shouting,  "Shame on the titushki!" reports Deutsche Welle.