Russian consulate in Kiev attacked by egg-throwers, voting is blocked

Several dozens of nationalists from the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (banned in Russia) have throwed eggs into the Russian Consulate General in Kiev today, on March 18.

They are holding an action called “People’s termination of diplomatic relations with Russia.” The nationalists are carrying flags of their organization and a big slogan with an anti-Russian statement. About 50 police officers and National Guard officers are now near the consulate. They have cordoned off the street.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian law enforcers continue blocking entrance to polling stations organized ta the Russian embassy in Kiev and in consulates general in Odessa, Kharkov, and Lvov.

According to the Russian Central Election Commission, 72,000 Russian citizens eligible for voting are registered in Ukraine.

On March 16, Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov announced that Russians living in Ukraine and willing to vote at the Russian presidential election should not be allowed to Russian diplomatic missions. He was supported actively by Ukrainian nationalists.

Extremist groups Svoboda, Right Sector, and National Corps made a joint statement saying they would not allow holding the Russian presidential election in the Ukrainian territory. They promised to block offices where the voting would be taking place and for Russian citizens that would come t vote would be met by “corridors of shame.”

Last night, the Russian embassy in Kiev and consulates general in Odessa, Kharkov, and Lvov were cordoned off the Ukrainian law enforcers. As a result, only Russian diplomats and staff working at the diplomatic missions had a chance to vote.

The OSCE/ODIHR refused to comment on the decision of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry to block access to polling stations at the Russian presidential elections.