Several Ukrainian Police Officers have been injured following a violent clash between the country’s security personnel and far right protesters who attempted to attack a motorcade belonging to incumbent president, Petro Poroshenko, in the city of Cherkasy.

This attack was recorded while the president, who is gunning for another term, was giving a campaign speech in preparation for the elections scheduled to take place on the 31st of March this year.

Also, in the capital city of Kiev, another confrontation reportedly took place between state security agents and members of the far-right National Corps Party (NCP), who were responsible for a recent protest in front of the presidential administration building.

According to details from local police, the protests and attacks, where more than 15 officers sustained various injuries, were motivated by the group’s demand for the punishment of several Ukrainian government officials tied to a corruption scandal.

Reported in February, the scandal involves President Poroshenko’s ally and former member of the Ukrainian National Security Council, Oleg Gladkovsky, who received money which was used to purchase contraband military vehicle parts at inflated prices.

Poroshenko’s campaign has been running on a platform founded around state-building and economic stability, fostering a strong sense of national identity, integration with the West and building a stronger resistance to Russia.

He also stated his intention to sign the country up to join the EU and NATO by 2023, a feat that has been deemed unattainable. Although his administration has brought about several reforms, many have remarked that these reforms came at the expense on ordinary Ukrainians.

While Poroshenko’s image has remained untainted throughout his tenure, the people around him have been tied to several corruption scandals and this has dented the image of his government and strained his relationship with Ukrainians across the country.