Titushki is the plural form of the Ukrainian surname Titushko, reports Deutsche Welle. The so-called “young thugs in tracksuits” are named after Vadim Titushko, a 20-year-old martial arts practitioner who assaulted two journalists during a pro-government demonstration in Kyiv in May 2013.
During his trial, it was revealed that Titushko was secretly being paid to "protect" a pro-government rally.
In Ukraine, there are thousands of titushki bought into the cities (most often Kyiv) on buses and trains, reports Deutsche Welle. The titushki told anti-government protestors that they are paid from US$34 to US $68 (EUR€ 25 to EUR€50) a day to help the police intimidate and beat up protesters.
“As the tension has escalated in Ukraine, the use of titushki has taken a more sinister turn,” reports the Sydney Morning Herald. “Backed up by unemployed youth, the titushki have been transformed into a state-sponsored, street-fighting militia.” The state denies having any ties to the titushki.
A spokesperson for Human Rights Watch told the newspaper that the titushki have been linked to attacks on at least six journalists.
Deutsche Welle reports that anti-government protestors are not being intimidated by these figures, however. On Tuesday, the anti-government protestors tried to break through a police blockade around the “Anti-Maidan” group.
A Youtube video shows demonstrators throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at the riot police, with one man shouting, "Shame on the titushki!" reports Deutsche Welle.
