Resistance Committee (Ukraine)

The Resistance Committee (Ukrainian: Комітет Спротиву) or Committee of Resistance[1] is a Ukrainian detachment made up of anarchist, anti-authoritarian and anti-fascist volunteers. It was formed to fight against the Russian invasion of Ukraine[2] and is part of the Territorial Defense Forces.[3]

Resistance Committee
Комітет Спротиву (Ukrainian)
FoundedFebruary 2022 (2022-02)
Country Ukraine
TypeBattalion
Part ofTerritorial Defense Forces
EngagementsRusso-Ukrainian War

History

The first reports on the Resistance Committee appeared on February 26, 2022. Initially consisting of 20 to 50 members,[4] the detachment was originally formed to bring humanitarian aid to the territories of Ukraine where it was needed but reoriented itself towards territorial defense especially in the regions surrounding Kyiv.

Unlike far-right battalions such as the Azov Brigade that use Nazi symbolism, the Resistance Committee is made up of members who reject both fascism and Nazism. They draw inspiration from the Black Army of Nestor Makhno and the activities of the International Brigades and the CNT-FAI during the Spanish Civil War.[5] They are opposed to Russian irredentism and considered the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics to be subordinate to Russia. They are also opposed to Ukrainian nationalism and the Ukrainian state but respect Ukraine's independence as a society.[6]

Many of its have fighters had also fought in the Syrian Civil War alongside the People's Defense Units (YPG).[7]

See also

References
  1. "Russia and Ukraine: Grassroots Resistance to Putin's Invasion". CrimethInc.com. 2022-02-24. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
  2. Ludwig, Mike (2022-03-05). "War Is Forcing Ukrainian Leftists to Make Difficult Decisions About Violence". Truthout. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  3. Aza, Hibai (2022-03-16). "Ukrainian anarchists take up arms against the Russian invasion". El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  4. "Anarchists at war. The Resistance Committee". Alasbarricadas.org (in Spanish). 2022-02-27. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  5. Hibai Arbide Aza; Adriana Cardoso (2022-03-15). "Ukrainian anarchists take up arms against the Russian invasion". El País (in Spanish). Lviv, Ukraine. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  6. "Interview: The Committee of Resistance, Kyiv". The Anarchist Library. 2022-02-24. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  7. Askew, Joshua (2022-06-10). "Meet the motley crew of anarchists and anti-fascists fighting Russia in Ukraine". Euronews. Retrieved 2023-07-10.

Further reading
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