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Andrey BiletskyUkrainian political figure, leader of racist and neo-Nazi organizations
Date of Birth: 05.08.1979
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Nationalist Activities
- Creation of "Patriot of Ukraine"
- Leadership of Social-National Assembly and Patriot of Ukraine
- Political Views and Ideology
- Criminal Prosecution and Imprisonment
- Release and Appointment as Commander
- Role in the War in Eastern Ukraine
- Election to the Verkhovna Rada
- Political Activity and Controversies
- Personal Life and Family
Early Life and Education
Andriy Biletsky was born on August 5, 1979, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, into a Ukrainian family. His father, Yevheny Mikhaylovych Biletsky, hailed from Krasnopavlivka, Kharkiv Oblast, while his mother, Olena Anatoliyivna Biletsky (Lukashevych), originated from Zhytomyr Oblast.
In 2001, Biletsky graduated with honors from the Historical Faculty of Kharkiv National University named after V. N. Karazin. His diploma thesis focused on the activities of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.
Nationalist Activities
From a young age, Biletsky actively participated in sports and engaged in nationalist activism. In 1999, he attempted to join the Kosovo War alongside Ukrainian nationalist athletes to fight against Islamic expansionism in the Balkans.
In 2001, Biletsky joined the protests in Kyiv against President Leonid Kuchma's government. He was detained and administratively arrested during the demonstrations.
In 2002, he became the leader of the Kharkiv branch of the Organization "Trident" named after S. Bandera. He later collaborated with the Ukrainian Conservative Party.
In 2003, Biletsky began collaborating with the Kharkiv cell of the Social-National Party of Ukraine (SNPU), the present-day All-Ukrainian Union "Svoboda." He opposed its liberalization and transformation into the VO "Svoboda."
Creation of "Patriot of Ukraine"
After the dissolution of the Society for Assistance to the Armed Forces and the Navy "Patriot of Ukraine," Biletsky established a new organization independent of any party structures. Known as "Patriot of Ukraine," Biletsky has served as its leader since its inception.
The organization's founding members included young fighters from the Kharkiv branches of the SNPU, UNA-UNSO, and "Trident." Biletsky planned, coordinated, and directly participated in all of the organization's operations, including direct actions.
Leadership of Social-National Assembly and Patriot of Ukraine
Biletsky also leads the organizations Social-National Assembly and Patriot of Ukraine. According to political scientists Andreas Umland and Anton Shekhovtsov, these nationalist groups, which were part of the Right Sector and participated in Euromaidan, were relatively unknown in Ukraine and beyond until early 2014. However, in the spring of 2014, SNA activists formed the core of the volunteer battalion "Azov," which engaged in the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Political Views and Ideology
Biletsky's organizations advocate for the protection of the white race through the establishment of an anti-democratic and anti-capitalist "natiocracy" and the eradication of "international-Zionist speculative capital."
He believes that the idea of Ukrainian statehood is rooted in the imperial past of Ukrainian states and the significant expansion of its ethnic territory in the 19th century. However, this new understanding of the national idea, he emphasizes, is devoid of universal human values and "proudly calls itself chauvinistic."
Social-nationalism, the ideology of the organization "Patriot of Ukraine," is based on social justice and imperial grandeur. Social justice entails a "third path" in economics, authoritarianism, and fair distribution among national producers.
Comparing social-nationalism to national socialism, Biletsky criticizes the latter for its "mass character." He believes that German Nazis failed to account for the "biological quality of each individual family" in their social policies, which led to the birth of "inferior human material." He considers drug addicts and alcoholics as "degenerative layers of the population."
Biletsky also criticizes "national liberals" who prioritize cultural nationalism, particularly linguistic aspects, over racial considerations. He argues that national culture stems from the people's inherent nature rather than language, religion, economics, etc.
He is well-known for his infamous quote: "The historical mission of our nation in this critical moment is to lead the White Nations of the world in the final crusade for its survival. A crusade against the Semitic subhumanity led by Satan."
Despite these views, Biletsky does not identify as a neo-Nazi, asserting that he and his comrades are "Ukrainian nationalists who believe in the bright and great future of their country."
Criminal Prosecution and Imprisonment
In August 2011, senior members of the "Patriot of Ukraine" organization in Kyiv and Vasylkiv and SNA activists were arrested and charged with preparing a terrorist attack.
In a separate incident, a conflict with gunfire erupted at the office of the Kharkiv branch of the "Patriot of Ukraine" organization on August 23, 2011. The organization claimed that an armed attack was perpetrated by Sergey Kolesnik, injuring two members of the organization. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, two members of the organization sustained minor injuries from rubber bullets, while Kolesnik was hospitalized unconscious with two open craniocerebral traumas, stab wounds in the chest area, and bruises on his parietal region and torso. The investigation qualified the incident as an assault on Kolesnik with serious bodily harm.
Biletsky was arrested on December 27, 2011, in connection with the attack on Kolesnik. He was charged with robbery committed by a group of individuals acting in concert.
The organized social-nationalist movement viewed the actions of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs as political repression. Protests against the political persecution of Ukrainian nationalists followed in various cities across Ukraine.
Release and Appointment as Commander
Pursuant to Resolution No. 4202 of the Verkhovna Rada on February 24, 2014, Biletsky was released from custody along with other political prisoners.
On March 12, 2014, he was appointed head of the Right Sector's military force (East), overseeing four regions: Kharkiv, Donetsk, Poltava, and Luhansk.
Role in the War in Eastern Ukraine
During the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, Biletsky commanded the Azov Battalion of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He claims to have personally led the operation to regain control of Mariupol, although he had to alter his plans due to false information provided by Ukrainian military intelligence.
Election to the Verkhovna Rada
In September 2014, Biletsky joined the military council of the People's Front party led by Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Oleksandr Turchynov. He was nominated by the party for the snap parliamentary elections, but he declined to run on its party list. Instead, he registered as an independent candidate in the 217th single-mandate constituency in Kyiv (Obolon).
On October 26, Biletsky won the election in his constituency, securing 33.75% of the vote (31,445 votes). In the Verkhovna Rada, he serves as a Deputy Head of the Committee on National Security and Defense and participates in interparliamentary groups with Georgia, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United States, Poland, and Lithuania.
Political Activity and Controversies
During his tenure in the Verkhovna Rada, Biletsky participated in a mere 2.09% of total parliamentary votes. He has been criticized for his low attendance and lack of legislative initiatives.
In 2018, he was included in the list of Ukrainian individuals subjected to sanctions by the Russian government.
Biletsky's political views and rhetoric have sparked controversy and debate in Ukraine and internationally. He has been accused of holding racist, anti-Semitic, and ultra-nationalist beliefs. However, he denies these accusations and claims to be a Ukrainian nationalist who advocates for the interests of his country.
Personal Life and Family
In 2003, Biletsky married Yulia Oleksandrivna Biletska (Brusenko). They had a son named Oleksandr in 2007. The couple divorced in 2016.
