Zakarpattia magnate alleges conspiracy in July 11 Mukacheve shootout

Viktor Baloha, widely recognized as the kingpin of the Zakarpattia region, told a July 23 press conference that Praviy Sektor became an instrument in the July 11 armed conflict in Mukacheve, which was an operation planned among top Kyiv officials to pursue business, political and criminal interests. He outlined a conspiracy to simultaneously take over the contraband trade and ruin the public standing of Praviy Sektor, also alleging that among those involved was Interior Minister Arsen Avakov.

At the same time, Baloha said he had no interest in the July 11 armed conflict, as had been alleged. He acknowledged that he has financed the Praviy Sektor paramilitary group in his region, as well as in Kyiv, though this financing was small compared to funds provided for a Ukrainian Armed Forces brigade based in Mukacheve. He also said he financed the EuroMaidan protest in the winter of 2013.

Zenon Zawada: Setting aside Baloha’s conspiracy claims, what’s valuable here is the first public acknowledgment of an influential businessman or oligarch financing Praviy Sektor, Ukraine’s largest paramilitary group. This has troubling implications, given that Praviy Sektor has challenged the government’s monopoly of power and is currently engaged in an open political conflict with both the Presidential Administration, and the Cabinet of Ministers. Baloha’s statement seems to have been aimed at demonstrating his loyalty to the president and discrediting Praviy Sektor’s Robin Hood image.

As the war drags on, the domestic political and business configuration is growing more precarious, with an entire series of rivalries threatening the stability of the state. If Baloha financed Praviy Sektor in Zakarpattia, who can doubt that the organization is being financed in another region, to fulfill some narrow interests other than the state’s well-being? The government is trying to bring restrict the activity of Praviy Sektor, but as we’ve mentioned, it will have to do so in a way that doesn’t boost its public support. Pursuing reforms and anti-corruption is the best method in dealing with the threats posed by Praviy Sektor.