Azov commander says unrest in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka serves Russia's interests
Denys Prokopenko, commander of the Azov grouping in Ukraine's National Guard 1st Corps, says clashes in the Kyiv-region village of Petropavlivska Borshchahivka create a picture that benefits Russia. He urged people to defend the country at the front or help from the rear rather than stage provocations.
Denys "Redis" Prokopenko, commander of the Azov troop grouping within Ukraine's National Guard 1st Corps, said on 2 November that disorder in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka, a village in the Kyiv region, creates a picture favourable to Russia. He made the statement on Facebook. In his words, Russia wants to split Ukrainian society and the army and destabilise the situation in the country.
Prokopenko stated that all battalions, regiments and brigades of Azov are at the front and carrying out combat tasks around the clock. By contrast, he said, people with no connection to defending the country, who do not serve in the military or assist the Defence Forces, are engaged in sabotage in the rear, discrediting soldiers and shaping a picture that suits Russia. He argued that the discussion of events in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka online satisfies all of Russia's aims.
The commander noted that the country is fighting a hard war. In his view, one must either defend Ukraine at the front or help the front from the rear, rather than stage provocations and play into the enemy's hands.
What happened in Borshchahivka
Kyiv Oblast police reported on 2 November a disturbance near a private house in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka, where servicemen of a National Guard unit are staying. National Guard commander Oleksandr Pivnenko and Ukraine's National Police leadership arrived at the scene.
Military Ombudsman Olha Reshetylova said a check has been ordered to establish all circumstances. Azov's 1st Corps stated that the site held mobilised personnel and servicemen detained after going absent without leave, who were awaiting assignment to units. A correspondent of Ukrainska Pravda reported gunshots and sirens from the yard of the house. The head of the Presidential Office, Kyrylo Budanov, is also at the scene.
