It's an alarming coincidence to see the rise of armed-and-trained militia, special operations and self-proclaimed patriots witnessed here in America by the attempted take-over of state capitols in more than three states, the insurrection on January 6th in the Nation's Capitol, and extra-judicial killings by so-called neighborhood watch groups.
Ukrainian vigilantes may try to seek retribution for Russian war crimes, expert warns
(© Provided by Business Insider A member of the 127th Territorial Defense Force brigade stands guard as a car approaches after curfew on a road on the outskirts of Kharkiv on April 04, 2022 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Photo by Chris McGrath )
- Ukrainian vigilante groups may try to seek justice for Russian war crimes, an expert told Insider.
- Such groups were formed from volunteer brigades during Ukraine's 2013-2014 Maidan revolution.
- A Harvard anthropologist said similar groups may spring up in response to the Russian invasion.
Ukrainian vigilante groups could try to seek revenge or accountability for Russian atrocities and war crimes being committed during the ongoing war, a Harvard anthropologist told Insider.
Emily Channell-Justice, the director of Harvard University's Temerty Contemporary Ukraine Program, said Ukraine has seen vigilante groups operate in the past.
Though there aren't any indications that vigilantes are currently operating, Channell-Justice said, Ukraine's reliance on territorial defense brigades and volunteer fighters suggests some may again choose to take a form of justice into their own hands.
During Ukraine's 2013-2014 Maidan Revolution — mass demonstrations sparked by Ukraine's leadership backing out of a European Union trade deal and developing closer ties with Moscow — volunteer brigades took shape to fight against the government and targeted pro-Russian Ukrainians, Channell-Justice said.
These volunteer brigades were "self-proclaimed police forces" and acted like "neighborhood watch groups," she told Insider. . .
Channell-Justice says she hasn't seen any "rallying cries" calling for extra-judicial justice yet.
She added: "None of the territorial defense that I've seen, none of the Telegram channels that I've been paying attention to — none of them are saying anything like that."
However, a recent video verified by the New York Times appears to show Ukrainian soldiers executing Russian captives outside Kyiv last month. . .
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