Changes

[[File:Zelensky and Avakov.PNG|right|250px|thumb|[[Zelensky]] and Avakov.<ref>https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/osw-commentary/2020-06-03/a-pillar-system-political-phenomenon-arsen-avakov</ref>]]

[[File:Zelensky and Avakov.PNG|right|250px|thumb|[[Zelensky]] and Avakov.<ref>https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/osw-commentary/2020-06-03/a-pillar-system-political-phenomenon-arsen-avakov</ref>]]

'''Arsen Avakov''' was a key organizer of the [[Maidan coup]].  He was appointed [[Ukraine]]'s Minister of Internal Affairs on February 22, 2014 and served in that capacity until 2021. On June 14, 2024, the [[Russian Federation]] requested that Avakov be placed on [[Interpol]]'s wanted list for "the use of prohibited means and methods of warfare, aggravated [[murder]], the obstruction of professional activities of [[journalist]]s, and [[abduction]].<ref>[http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_06_21/Russia-puts-Ukraines-acting-interior-minister-Dnepropetrovsk-governor-on-intl-wanted-list-4457/ Russia puts Ukraine's interior minister, Dnepropetrovsk governor on int'l wanted list]". Voice of Russia. June 21, 2014.</ref>  He previously served as Governor of [[Kharkiv]] Oblast from 2005 and 2010.

'''Arsen Borisovich Avakov''' was a key organizer of the [[Maidan coup]].  He was appointed [[Ukraine]]'s Minister of Internal Affairs on February 22, 2014 and served in that capacity until 2021. On June 14, 2024, the [[Russian Federation]] requested that Avakov be placed on [[Interpol]]'s wanted list for "the use of prohibited means and methods of warfare, aggravated [[murder]], the obstruction of professional activities of [[journalist]]s, and [[abduction]].<ref>[http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_06_21/Russia-puts-Ukraines-acting-interior-minister-Dnepropetrovsk-governor-on-intl-wanted-list-4457/ Russia puts Ukraine's interior minister, Dnepropetrovsk governor on int'l wanted list]". Voice of Russia. June 21, 2014.</ref>  He previously served as Governor of [[Kharkiv]] Oblast from 2005 and 2010.

Avakov was one of the organizers of the pre-Maidan 'Euro 2012' event, authorized the formation of a paramilitary force of 12,000 men around the [[neo-Nazi]] hooligans of the "Sect 82" to defend the "[[revolution]]". After becoming Interior Minister, on May 5, 2014, the [[Azov Battalion]] or "Eastern Corps" formed out of Sect 82 and was officially incorporated into the Ukrainian armed services. Its first commander was [[Andriy Biletsky]],<ref>[http://hromadske.ua/posts/my-namahaiemosia-pryity-do-vlady-cherez-vybory-khocha-maiemo-vsiaki-mozhlyvosti-iak-azov-staie-partiieiu "We are trying to come to power through elections, but we have all sorts of possibilities" – as "Azov" becomes party]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180219190018/http://hromadske.ua/posts/my-namahaiemosia-pryity-do-vlady-cherez-vybory-khocha-maiemo-vsiaki-mozhlyvosti-iak-azov-staie-partiieiu, Hromadske.TV (13 October 2016)</ref> known as the "White Führer".<ref>https://www.sott.net/article/465322-Israel-stunned-by-Ukrainian-neo-Nazis</ref>

Avakov was one of the organizers of the pre-Maidan 'Euro 2012' event, authorized the formation of a paramilitary force of 12,000 men around the [[neo-Nazi]] hooligans of the "Sect 82" to defend the "[[revolution]]". After becoming Interior Minister, on May 5, 2014, the [[Azov Battalion]] or "Eastern Corps" formed out of Sect 82 and was officially incorporated into the Ukrainian armed services. Its first commander was [[Andriy Biletsky]],<ref>[http://hromadske.ua/posts/my-namahaiemosia-pryity-do-vlady-cherez-vybory-khocha-maiemo-vsiaki-mozhlyvosti-iak-azov-staie-partiieiu "We are trying to come to power through elections, but we have all sorts of possibilities" – as "Azov" becomes party]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180219190018/http://hromadske.ua/posts/my-namahaiemosia-pryity-do-vlady-cherez-vybory-khocha-maiemo-vsiaki-mozhlyvosti-iak-azov-staie-partiieiu, Hromadske.TV (13 October 2016)</ref> known as the "White Führer".<ref>https://www.sott.net/article/465322-Israel-stunned-by-Ukrainian-neo-Nazis</ref>