107th birthday of Ukrainian nationalist celebrated
More than 1,000 marchers pay tribute to 20th century hero
More than a thousand people marched through the streets of Ukrainian capital Kyiv on January 1, waving Ukrainian flags and chanting nationalist slogans to to celebrate the 107th anniversary of Ukrainian nationalist hero Stepan Bandera’s birth.
Chanting “Glory to Ukraine!” people walked waving the red and black flags of Ukraine’s nationalist movement and the blue and yellow flags of the far-right Svoboda, or “Freedom”, party.
Watch also Nationalist Stepan Bandera remains controversial, 56 years after death
Stepan Bandera, who led the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists in the first part of the 20th century is seen in areas of western Ukraine as a hero of the independence struggle.
He is regarded by many in Poland and Israel as well as Russia with suspicion because of his ties with the Nazis during World War II.