Budanov's Political Honeymoon Is Over

Source: The Kyiv Independent

"Budanov is, after all, part of the military establishment, which is clearly tied to the political leadership. That system can force everyone to play by its rules, even a war hero," says Olexiy Haran, politics professor at the Kyiv Mohyla Academy and research advisor at the Democratic Initiatives Foundation.

Commanders of the Christian Corps, a military group fighting under the supervision of Ukraine's military intelligence, have issued a public statement in Budanov's defense. The corps includes several units, including Bratstvo (Brotherhood), Tradition and Order, and Revansh, which grew out of far-right movements.

Haran argues that the military has already crossed the line. Further involvement by military figures in politics or anti-corruption efforts, he says, would be "very dangerous."

"People with military achievements are treated differently," Haran told the Kyiv Independent. "But those achievements should not put them beyond the reach of law enforcement or anti-corruption bodies."

Read the full article here