Authorities are using “titushki” against the opposition – investigation

The authorities have decided to revive the practices of the Yanukovych era—they’ve brought back the “titushki.” These are athletic young men who, without explanation, work in courts and at rallies against the opposition.

Member of Parliament Yaroslav Zheleznyak described specific cases of young people being used against political opponents in his investigation .

The deputy noted that recently, athletic-looking young men had appeared at the trial of anti-corruption activist Vitaly Shabunin, at the home of European Solidarity MP Viktoria Syumar, and at the office of European Solidarity MP Mykola Kniazhitsky.

“Young men of athletic appearance and, frankly, not very capable of intellectually explaining why they came to the events began appearing either at court hearings, especially against opponents of the government, or at rallies, again especially against opponents of the government. We saw this trend many years ago. Around 20 years ago, there was a separate word like ‘titushki’ and ‘tetushka,’” Zheleznyak said.

In all these cases, the young pseudo-activists couldn’t clearly explain their purpose for attending the events and couldn’t articulate any clear demands or grievances against any of the participants. Zheleznyak also noted that the same people periodically participate in such protests; in particular, he identified a man who regularly attends various protests with “titushki.”

“Frankly, political communications have been dirty for the past six years. The Office has its own channels, either Telegram or media personalities, like Dubinsky or someone else, who have been throwing mud at their opponents. It’s not like this is anything new in Ukrainian politics. But what is new is precisely the use of the term ‘auntie.’

According to him, the authorities began to use the “titushki” factor in their fight against opponents because the people currently in the Presidential Office and making decisions were not participants in the 2014 Revolution of Dignity.

“For them, that period was something else entirely—they were either busy with other things, touring abroad, or working for the very same Party of Regions and still bringing their “titushki” to the Anti-Maidan. And such people are in power.

Zheleznyak also announced an investigation into the organizers of such “titushki” groups.