Primorsky Partisans

The Primorsky Partisans were a group of six young men who waged a guerrilla war against the Russian police, who have long been accused of corruption and brutality.[2][3]

Primorsky Partisans
Приморские партизаны
LeadersAndrei Sukhorada (dead by suicide)
Aleksandr Kovtun (arrested)
Dates of operationFebruary – 11 June 2010
Headquartersnone static
Active regionsPrimorsky Krai, Russia
IdeologyFar-right[1]
Size6 members
1 close supporter
OpponentsPolice of Russia

History
2010 Primorsky Krai Insurrection
DateFebruary – 11 June 2010
Location
Several towns and length of a motorway in south Primorsky Krai, Russian Federation.
Caused byPolice brutality, Political extremism, Criminality (alleged by police), Police corruption
GoalsRevenge
MethodsAmbushes, Arson
Resulted inArrival of reinforcements, emergence widespread public support for the accused. Two acquitted. Police tactical victory, mixed strategic victory.
Parties
Primorsky Partisans
Russian law enforcement
Lead figures

Andrei Sukhorada (dead by suicide)
Aleksandr Kovtun (arrested)

Primorsky Krai Superintendent
Andrei Nikolaev[4]

Number
6 Militants
1 Sympathizer in supporting role
Crackdown:
+1,000 OMON Troops
APCs
Helicopters
K9s
Casualties and losses
2 killed (suicide)
3 captured
2 surrendered (one wounded in custody)
: 1 MVD station set alight
2 Militsiya Oiffcers killed[N 1]
1 MVD car stolen
3 wounded[N 2]
3 Traffic officers wounded [N 3]
Two private automobiles stolen
5 civilians robbed, 1 wounded (the accused deny involvement)

From the small village of Kirovsky in Primorsky Krai, Russia's Far East they had long had encounters with the police they described as brutal, and degrading. The group decided on a violent solution to the appalling conditions with the police and waged a campaign against them including shooting traffic policemen, raiding a police station, and stabbing a police officer to death. The police began a large scale manhunt and the Partisans were tracked down to a flat belonging to one of the members 17 miles from the Chinese border, in Kirovsky. Before the shoot out began they posted a video on YouTube describing their motives.

As about a dozen militsiya officers and OMON troops approached, two of the four occupants opened fire with pistols, wounding two police officers. The police were later joined by a platoon of internal troops with BTR armored vehicles. After negotiations lasting five hours, two committed suicide, and the other two surrendered. This created a storm of controversy in Russia, as many Russians sympathized with the Partisans, and resented the police.

In a non-scientific poll by the popular radio station Echo of Moscow, 75% of responders said they viewed the Partisans as Robin Hoods, and 66% stated they would shelter the Partisans if given the chance.[5] Nationalist politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky voiced his support for the Primorsky Partisans at a session of the State Duma.

On July 20, 2016 the jury trial came up with an acquittal verdict for all members following the second trial. Their guilt for committing the mass murder and creating an organized crime group was not proved. Vadim Kovtun and Alexei Nikitin were immediately set free. The rest of the Partisans remain behind bars, being accused of other crimes.[6]

Members
  • Aleksandr Kovtun (Russian: Александр Ковтун), leader of the group. His brother Vadim Kovtun (Russian: Вадим Ковтун) was also arrested and charged with aiding and abetting, although not as part of the group.
  • Andrei Sukhorada (Russian: Андрей Сухорада, July 25, 1987 – June 11, 2010) former member of National Bolshevik Party.[7] On March 3, 2004, Sukhorada was arrested when police raided a group of National Bolsheviks who were staging an occupation of the United Russia Party HQ in Moscow.[8][9] Eduard Limonov alleged that Sukhorada implied to him he'd carry out violent militant acts in his native region.
  • Aleksandr Sladkikh (Russian: Александр Сладких, September 18, 1989 – June 11, 2010)
  • Vladimir Ilyutikov (Russian: Владимир Илютиков)
  • Roman Savchenko (Russian: Роман Савченко)
  • Maksim Kirilov (Russian: Максим Кириллов)
  • Alexei Nikitin (Russian: Алексей Никитин), arrested on July 31, 2010 as a supposed abettor.

Motivation

On October 9, 2010, a 13-minute video entitled "Video Appeal of the Primorsky Partisans" was released on YouTube.[10] In the video the partizans of the group declared a guerrilla war against corruption and Russian Militsiya.[11][12] The video was removed from the YouTube server several times due to complaints.

Reaction

A poll of listeners to the Echo of Moscow radio station indicated that 60–75 percent of listeners sympathised with the Primorsky Partisans and would offer them help.[13][14]

See also

Explanatory notes
  1. One stabbed to death in station raid, 1 fatally shot in roadside ambush
  2. 1 wounded in roadside ambush, 2 in operation to apprehend the 4 suspects in the apartment
  3. Roadside ambushes

References
  1. "Скинхеды, борцы с системой: Кто такие "приморские партизаны" и какие преступления они совершили". Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  2. Politkovskaya, Anna; translated by Arch Tait (2004). Putin's Russia. Harvill. ISBN 0-8050-7930-0.
  3. Judah, Ben (2003). Fragile Empire
  4. "Приморские партизаны. Они были первыми" [Primorsky Partisans. They were the first]. YouTube. Archived from the original on June 20, 2020.
  5. Ash, Lucy (6 March 2012). "Russians back anti-police rage". BBC News. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  6. Russia Acquits 'Primorsky Partisans' Of Murder In Retrial at Radio Liberity, July 20, 2016
  7. "АПН Северо-Запад / Один из приморских партизан был нацболом". www.apn-spb.ru. Archived from the original on September 2, 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  8. Андрей Сухорада Archived 2015-02-20 at the Wayback Machine
  9. "nbp-info.com - nbp-info Resources and Information". nbp-info.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2007. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  10. "Видеообращение приморских партизан" [Video Appeal of the Primorsky Partisans.]. YouTube. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023.
  11. "Последнее видеообращение "приморских партизан" появилось в интернете". Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  12. "Russia: New Video from Primorsky Krai Guerrillas · Global Voices". 18 October 2010. Archived from the original on July 5, 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  13. "The Primorsky Partisans". Crossing Continents. BBC Radio 4. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  14. Если члены "приморской группы" обратятся к Вам за помощью, поможете ли Вы?
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