Zeleny, Danylo

Zeleny, Danylo [Zelenyj] (pseud of Danylo Terpylo), b 1883 in Trypillia, Kyiv county, Kyiv gubernia, d November 1919. (Photo: Danylo Zeleny.) One of the best-known otamans (warlords) of the Partisan movement in Ukraine, 1918–22, during the Ukrainian struggle for independence (1917–20). Zeleny was associated with the left-wing of the Ukrainian Social Democratic Workers' party (Independentists). When that faction broke with the Directory of the Ukrainian National Republic in January 1919, Zeleny led a revolt against the Directory in the vicinity of Obukhiv. The rebellion soon spread from Kyiv gubernia to the neighboring Poltava gubernia and Chernihiv gubernia. At the peak of his movement Zeleny is said to have commanded over 30,000 troops. In addition to the Directory his troops fought the Red Army and the Whites (the Volunteer Army) in 1919. The movement issued several manifestos which reflected the influence of the ideology of the USDRP. Zeleny fell in battle against White forces.

[This article originally appeared in the Encyclopedia of Ukraine, vol. 5 (1993).]