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Ultranationalist Right Sector Demands Closure of Border With Russia

The Ukrainian ultranationalist Right Sector group have demanded the closure of the border with Russia and the resignation of a key government official.

A statement issued by the group's press service called for the border closure and also said that although Right Sector recognizes the Ukrainian interim government, it "considers their actions unprofessional and bordering on sabotage," Itar-Tass reported.

Right Sector also staged a picket in front of the Ukrainian parliament on Monday, during which they called for the government to act decisively in eastern Ukraine, where separatist movements have been burgeoning.

Police said that around 150 people attended the protest, Interfax reported, citing Kiev media.

The ultranationalists demanded the resignation of acting Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, who has been the focus of much of the group's ire since Ukrainian special forces killed one of its leaders, Oleksandr Muzychko, during an attempt to arrest him late last month.

Russian pro-Kremlin news agency LifeNews reported that the protesters called for the resignation of acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov. They also requested the right to freely purchase and carry weapons as well as a weekly account of the government's activities, the report said.

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