Peoply at a rally in support of Right Sector, a controversial nationalist group

A pro-government Ukrainian militia accused of neo-Nazism has fought a gun battle with the country’s security forces that left at least three dead and several police vehicles destroyed by rocket-propelled grenades.

The fighting marks the first clash between Kiev and one of the country’s “volunteer battalions” who have led the fight against pro-Russian separatists.

The fierce confrontation in the city of Mukachevo, near Ukraine’s western border, involved members of Right Sector, a controversial nationalist group. Three policemen were among six injured, officials from the Ukrainian interior ministry said.

A stand-off with Ukrainian police continued yesterday while Right Sector announced that its members were on “combat alert” and demanded the arrest of police involved in the shootout, as well as a local MP.

Right Sector supporters