Ukrainian politicians fight in parliament

By Ali Cura

KIEV

Two Ukrainian political leaders traded punches Monday during a session of parliament.

Yuriy Boyko, leader of the center-left Opposition Bloc, punched Oleg Lyashko in the face after the left-wing Radical Party leader accused him of taking orders from the Kremlin.

“Instructions must be received from your own people, from Ukrainians,” Lyashko said in a speech directed at Boyko. “I also want to ask the SBU (Security Service of Ukraine) why they visit Moscow and are not yet in jail?”

As Lyashko spoke, Boyko, who was sitting in an adjacent seat, jumped up and aimed a blow at Lyashko's face.

Other MPs rushed to separate the two men. But Lyashko continued with his tirade, prompting a second altercation.

Parliament chairman Andriy Parubiy said in a statement, that the fight was part of a plan by the Kremlin to destabilize Ukraine.

"I am convinced that this fight is ordered outside to weaken our state,” Parubiy said as he recalled that the Ukrainian Security Service announced plans last week for Moscow to politically weaken Ukraine.