Activists from the Svoboda Party have obstructed a presentation of the book "Where the Russian Land Originated" by Ukrainian historian, academician of the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences, Petro Tolochko, at the building housing a branch of the Russian Federal Agency for the CIS, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) in Kyiv, Ukrainian media reported.

The Svoboda activists said that Tolochko had written a book claiming the Ukrainians "do not exist as a nation" and had allegedly received the money for the book from Rossotrudnichestvo.

Nearly 50 people led by former people's deputy, deputy of Kyiv City Council Ihor Miroshnychenko have broken into the Rossotrudnichestvo building and have taken control of the hall hosting the presentation.

The Svoboda members said that "the book is Ukraine-phobic," and the author "glorifies Russia as an aggressor country," Hromadske Radio reported. They met Tolochko with offensive cries.

The academician said nothing and left the hall. After that, the activists took the copies of the book, as they said, "for souvenirs", painted over the Rossotrudnichestvo sign plate with the paint sprayer, and tore off the banner and the Coat of Arms of the Russian Federation.

The activists called the police and the Rossotrudnichestvo officials also called law enforcement agencies.

The Kyiv council deputies will file a petition to the police to inspect the activity of this organization, Miroshnychenko said.

Officer of the Podilsky police station Lieut. Inna Vashkeba, who arrived at the incident site, said that experts would examine Tolochko's book "Where the Russian Land Originated" for the presence of Ukraine-phobia in it, Hromadske Radio reported.