Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine
The Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine was an anarchist army that fought in the Russian Civil War. It was led by Nestor Makhno, its Commander-in-Chief.
| Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine | |
|---|---|
Революційна Повстанська Армія України Participant in Russian Civil War | |
 Flag of the army, which says "Death to oppressors of workers" | |
| Ideology | Anarchism |
| Political position | Far-left |
| Leaders | Nestor Makhno |
| Headquarters | Huliaipole |
| Area of operations | Ukraine |
| Allies | Red Army (1919–1920) Ukraine (1919) |
| Opponent(s) | Central Powers (1918) White Army (1918–1920) Red Army (1920–1921) |
History
Anarchist insurgents first came together in 1918, when Ukraine was invaded by the Central Powers. They beat the Austro-Hungarian Empire in battle and captured a lot of the south of Ukraine. They then joined the Red Army and fought against the White Army. But the insurgents disliked their Red Army commanders, the Bolsheviks.
In 1919, the White Army invaded Ukraine and the Red Army withdrew from the country. The Insurgent Army went west to escape the White offensive. The insurgents formed a truce with the nationalists led by Symon Petliura. They then fought back against the Whites and beat them in battle. By the end of 1919, the Insurgent Army took over most of the south and east of Ukraine.
In 1920, the Red Army invaded Ukraine and attacked the Insurgent Army. When the Whites attacked Ukraine again, the Red and Insurgent armies formed an alliance. The two attacked the Whites and beat them in Crimea. The Red Army then turned against the Insurgent Army again. The insurgents fought a guerrilla war against the Reds. By August 1921, the Insurgent Army was beaten. Nestor Makhno fled Ukraine.
Revolutionary Insurgent Army Of Ukraine Media
A Tachanka used by soldiers of the Insurgent Army, on display at a museum in Huliaipole.
French soldiers, mixed with civilians and White Army soldiers, during the allied intervention in 1919.
Commanders of the Don Army.
The 6th Ukrainian Soviet Division of ataman Nykyfor Hryhoriv, during their entry into Odesa, in April 1919.
Vladimir Antonov-Ovseenko, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Soviet Army and vocal supporter of the Makhnovists.
Nykyfor Hryhoriv, ataman of the green army in Kherson.
Leon Trotsky inspecting troops of the Ukrainian Front in Kharkiv.
Anton Denikin and his officers in Kharkiv, following the White offensive.
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Bibliography
- Darch, Colin (2020). Nestor Makhno and Rural Anarchism in Ukraine, 1917–1921. London: Pluto Press. ISBN 978-1786805263. OCLC 1225942343.
- Malet, Michael (1982). Nestor Makhno in the Russian Civil War. London: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-333-25969-6. OCLC 8514426.
- Skirda, Alexandre (2004) [1982]. Nestor Makhno–Anarchy's Cossack: The Struggle for Free Soviets in the Ukraine 1917–1921. Translated by Sharkey, Paul. Oakland, California: AK Press. ISBN 978-1-902593-68-5. OCLC 60602979.
