Alexander Barkashov

Alexander Petrovich Barkashov (Russian: Алекса́ндр Петро́вич Баркашо́в, sometimes transliterated as Aleksandr; born 6 October 1953) is a Russian political leader and far-right nationalist who founded Russian National Unity, a neo-Nazi political party and paramilitary organization, in 1990.

Born in Moscow, of peasant roots, Barkashov's father was an electrician and his mother was a nurse. Barkashov left school in 1971 and entered the military where he served in Belarus. After his discharge, he returned to Moscow and found employment in an underground thermal energy station as an electrician-fitter. While uninterested in his work, he was passionate about reading books about great conquerors of history (especially Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan), learning karate (even setting up his own club), and making weapons (bows and daggers) with his own hands.

Barkashov joined the far-right nationalist movement Pamyat in 1985 and rose quickly within its ranks. He was elected to the Central Council within a year, and by 1989 was second only to Dmitri Vasilyev. Conflict between Barkashov and Vasilyev resulted in Barkashov leading, in his words, "the most disciplined and active members, dissatisfied with empty talk and theatrical stunts, out of Pamyat". While considering other organizations to join, Barkashov and friends decided to create their own. On 16 October 1990, Barkashov and a few dozen followers gathered at his home on Moscow's Dubinin Street and founded "the National Unity for a Free Strong Just Russia" (soon shortened to "the Russian National Unity", and informally among the Barkashovtsy [Barkashovites]: "the Unity" [Yedinstvo]). Historian Walter Laqueur writes that Barkashov stated in an interview that he is a Nazi.

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