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Nestor Makhno (1888-1934), Ukrainian anarchist revolutionary and commander of the Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine (Makhnovshchina), which was a predominantly peasant phenomenon that grew into a mass social movement. It was initially centered around Makhno’s hometown Huliaipole but over the course of the Russian Civil War came to exert a strong influence over large areas of southern Ukraine. Makhno was aggressively opposed to all factions that sought to impose their authority over southern Ukraine, battling in succession the forces of the Ukrainian National Republic, the Central Powers of Germany and Austro-Hungary, the
Nestor Makhno (1888-1934), Ukrainian anarchist revolutionary and commander of the Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine (Makhnovshchina), which was a predominantly peasant phenomenon that grew into a mass social movement. It was initially centered around Makhno’s hometown Huliaipole but over the course of the Russian Civil War came to exert a strong influence over large areas of southern Ukraine. Makhno was aggressively opposed to all factions that sought to impose their authority over southern Ukraine, battling in succession the forces of the Ukrainian National Republic, the Central Powers of Germany and Austro-Hungary, the Hetmanate state, the White Army, the Bolshevik Red Army, and other smaller forces led by various Ukrainian atamans. Makhno and his supporters attempted to reorganize social and economic life along anarchist lines, including the establishment of communes on former landed estates, the requisition and egalitarian redistribution of land to the peasants, and the organization of free elections to local soviets (councils) and regional congresses. After an extended period of open resistance against the Red Army, Makhno fled across the Romanian border in August 1921. In exile, Makhno settled in Paris with his wife and daughter, living poverty and remaining threatened with expulsion.
Despite his poor health (caught tuberculosis in prison, had breathing problems, received at least 11 wounds including one in the right foot leaving him limping), he was known to be extremely brave and was nicknamed Batko Makhno (“Father Makhno”). Due to malnutrition, Makhno’s tuberculosis worsened to the point that he was hospitalized in March 1934. Operations failed to help and Makhno finally died in the early hours of July 25, 1934.
There’s just too much to say about the man (and since English is not my first language, it’s a bit difficult) so I highly recommend to read more about him, either on Wikipedia or through Alexandre Skirda’s book “Anarchy’s Cossack: The Struggle for Free Soviets in the Ukraine 1917-1921”. He’s truly a fascinating character.
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