Nikifor Grigoriev

Who was Nikifor Grigoriev?

Nikifor Grigoriev, born Nychypir Servetnyk in a small village of Zastavlia, was a paramilitary leader noted for numerous switching of sides and antisemitism. He was commonly known as "Otaman Grigoriev", as "Matviy Hryhoriyiv", "Matvey Grigoriev", or "Mykola Grigoriev".

He is sometimes misrepresented as the Otaman of the "Green Army". His association with the term "Green Army" is due to collaboration with the army of Otaman Zeleny which fought against the UNR Directory, Bolsheviks, and Denikin's Army. Although he cooperated with Zeleny this was marginal.