Nov 27, 2021

Far-right group assaults Kyiv bar "HvLv"

By Sergiy Slipchenko • Issue #2 • View online

On the night of Nov. 26, masked men attacked a Kyiv bar/club HvLv (Khvylʹovyy) and assaulted two security guards with mace and metal batons. I edited multiple camera angles into a single video to document the attack. Watch below

Kyiv Far-right group attacks HVLV Bar/Club

Far-right group attacks HvLv (Khvylʹovyy)

A bar in Kyiv was targeted by a far-right group, allegedly “Centuria”, but their social media accounts denied any involvement. Two security guards were attacked with mace and telescopic metal batons. The entire attack lasted about 5 minutes, from 18:39-18:44, and involved around 20 masked men.

Stickers left behind by attackers, link leads to Centuria's far-right website

During the attack, there were a total of 15 people inside the bar, including staff, owners, guest DJs, and regular patrons. They managed to lock the doors and hold off attempts to break down the doors.

Attack recorded from the inside HvlV.

Following the attack, the owner released a statement along with security footage and images of the attack and the aftermath.

The aftermath from inside the bar after the attack

The statement described the attack as well as events on November 6th when the bar was mobbed by nearly 150 people.

The rally was initially organized for the day previous, Nov. 5, but the news got out, forcing HvLv and other bars to shut down for the night. In retaliation, the date was pushed back to Nov.6, the mob gathered at the bar, chanting nationalist slogans, homophobic and racist remarks while blocking the entrance.

In the following weeks, the business would continually get vandalized with far-right symbols and hate speech.

Symbol/Emblem of Azov, Neo-nazi symbol drawn during the attack on HvLv

A popular far-right Telegram channel “Катарсис” (Catharsis) organized the 150 people mob and claimed that it was to stop the spread of drugs in Kyiv. The designated “drug dens” incidentally happened to be establishments that were LGBTQ-friendly.

Additionally, many members make jokes and post memes alluding to the fact that the “drug” justification is a cover for homophobia.

When news of the attack began to surface on various telegram channels, there was a mixed reaction. The “Катарсис” chat is publicly accessible to anyone and allows commenting. The comments were split between encouraging and supporting the attackers and those that shunned and condemned their behavior.

Landing page of the new "Centuria" website

It is believed that members of the far-right group “Centuria” are responsible for this attack. The website details the group’s goals and ambitions, highlighting that “empty words are not an alternative to action and deeds. It is everyone’s responsibility to act. And the success of the team depends on everyone.”

The group also claims they focus on protecting Ukraine from internal and external threats. They allege their members consist of Ukrainian youth and veterans of the Donbas conflict. They do not say how many members are involved or where they are based.

Stand-off at the Podil police station

Later that night, around 22:45, a Telegram channel announced they received information that 12 men suspected of carrying out the attack were apprehended and being held at the Podil police station.

The channel called “Вісник Подільского Пиздецю”, roughly translating to “Bulletin of the Fucked Up Podolsk” (ВПП for short), has been tracking and documenting the activities of groups targeting people and business.

People from HvLv and members of ВПП gathered at the Podil Police Station

Shortly after the announcement, people gathered by the Podil police station to confront and potentially identify the assailants. Police officers did not allow them to enter the premises, but took the owner’s statements and told them to return on Monday, Nov.29.

The Toyota arrived with masked men and observed the gathering from a distance

Luckily, the night ended quietly without any serious confrontations or violence. However, the arrested men were charged with hooliganism, and the owner is pressing charges. More information should surface next week. Until then, I will be monitoring far-right group activity and potential responses or actions.

Did you enjoy this issue?

By Sergiy Slipchenko

Follow for articles and news relating to issues that interest me and where I can provide valuable insight. Including the war in Donbas, Russian disinformation, extremist groups and other topics. As I am based in Kyiv it is the most up-to-date and timely information available, delivered in a nice, clean format without extra fluff. Hence "Kyiv Dispatch". Additional thoughts on other issues from time to time.

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Kyiv, Ukraine