Heated confrontation between “activists” stirred up social networks

Today, at about 17.00, an "extraordinary" event occurred in Uzhgorod on Rakoczi street. Two groups of activists started a fight at the entrance to a cafe. About twenty supporters of the nationalist movement "Carpathian Sich" (of course, mostly with covered faces) started a heated dispute with representatives of the so-called "People’s Control Forces" – Larisa Stupak, Oleksandr Peresolyak, Ivan Danatsko and their associates.

First photos and comments immediately appeared in social networks. The leader of the "CS" Taras Deyak posted this photo with caption "The shop is closed."

Then, representatives of the other party – FB user Nastya Bachinska – posted the following: "To all apologists of the NGO "Carpathian Sich", I want to say that the so-called patriots blocked the exit from the cafe opposite the regional police office and started mass unrest, attacking people with shouts and curses. Nice face of the patriotic organization. Do not forget to join them in the "black march".

Another person invloved in the incident, Oleksandr Peresolyak, posted on his page horrific details: "Right now, the head of the Carpathian Sich Taras Deak and the "leader" of ATO participants Mykola Marchyshak along with 30 thugs attacked me and inflicted injuries. This hooliganism was committed in front of the police officers. Uzhgorod is becoming dangerous. Now I am writing a statement in the city police department".

Given that everything happened opposite the entrance to the building of the National Police Office in Transcarpathian region, the incident caused a great interest among readers and the press. Our correspondent arrived at the scene in about 15 minutes, but even this time it turned out to be enough for everything to be over. There were two groups of patrol policemen near the police office building, and in the cafe itself, in addition to the cops, several people from the "support group", that can often be seen during the actions with L. Stupak, O. Peresolyak and others, were quietly watching the situation.

Most of the people were reluctant to give comments. However, according to the patrol policemen, two groups of activists "were voicing their public opinion too loudly".

– Did anyone suffered bodily injuries during the fight?

– No.

– Was anyone detained?

– No, there were no grounds for detention. We were watching the developments, the conversation was too high-toned, but there were no actions that could be regarded as violations of public order.

One of the patrol policemen also added:

– I don’t think this was their last fight. It is annoying that we have to constantly stand between them, to prevent them from fighting.

It seems that the law-enforcement officer is right, and given the recent activity of the both parties – "to be continued". 

PS When the article was ready, we received information (unverified!) that Larisa Stupak was taken by an ambulance with a preliminary diagnosis of "hypertensive crisis". There was no information of bodily injuries.

Photos by Taras Deyak