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Some members of the unit were described as "[[neo-Nazi]]",<ref name=bbc-20140905/><ref name=dorrell /><ref name="rico"/>{{#tag:ref|The BBC's [[Fergal Keane]] has described the unit as "a far-right Ukrainian militia".<ref name=bbc-20140905/>|group=nb}}<ref name="Frontline Ukraine 2014, page 158"/> an accusation that Ukrainian ministerial adviser, Anton Geraschenko has denied.<ref name=abcApUIM>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-13/inside-the-mariupol-base-of-ukraine's-azov-battalion/6306242 Ukraine crisis: Inside the Mariupol base of the controversial Azov battalion], [[ABC Online]] (24 March 2015)</ref><ref name="thedailybeast.com">[http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/06/09/how-many-neo-nazis-is-the-u-s-backing-in-ukraine.html How Many Neo-Nazis Is the U.S. Backing in Ukraine?], [[The Daily Beast]] (6 September 2015)</ref>{{#tag:ref|A ministerial adviser, Anton Geraschenko, has stated late 2014 "The [[Social-National Assembly]] is not a neo-Nazi organization," he said. "It is a party of Ukrainian patriots..."<ref name="bbc-newman"/><ref name="rico">{{cite web |url=https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/the-ultras-azov-battalion-and-soccer-from-inside-ukraine |archiveurl=https://wayback.archive.org/web/20160204214336/https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/the-ultras-azov-battalion-and-soccer-from-inside-ukraine |archivedate=2016-02-04 |title=The ultras, Azov Battalion, and soccer from inside Ukraine |last=Rico |first=R.J. |date=10 September 2014 |website=[[Vice (magazine)|VICE Sports]] |quote=[The] members of Azov Battalion ... have been labeled patriots by some, neo-Nazis by others....}}</ref><ref name=foreignpolicy-20140830>{{cite news |url=http://foreignpolicy.com/2014/08/30/preparing-for-war-with-ukraines-fascist-defenders-of-freedom/ |title=Preparing for War With Ukraine's Fascist Defenders of Freedom |author=Alec Luhn |newspaper=Foreign Policy |date=30 August 2014 |accessdate=15 September 2014}}</ref>|group=nb}}{{#tag:ref|Early March 2015 spokesman for the Azov Brigade Andriy Diachenko told [[USA Today]] "only 10% to 20% of the group's members are Nazis. "I know Alex is a Nazi, but it's his personal ideology. It has nothing to do with the official ideology of the Azov".<ref name=dorrell />|group=nb}} A spokesman for the unit has said this label applies to 10-20% of its recruits, and one commander attributed this ideology to misguided youth.<ref name=dorrell>{{cite news|last1=Dorrell|first1=Oren|title=Volunteer Ukrainian unit includes Nazis|url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/03/10/ukraine-azov-brigade-nazis-abuses-separatists/24664937/|date=10 March 2015|accessdate=4 November 2015|agency=[[USA Today]]|quote="Andriy Diachenko, a spokesman for the Azov Brigade, said only 10% to 20% of the group's members are Nazis."}}</ref> As a result of being a multicultural and multinational unit, those with far-right convictions live and fight side-by-side soldiers from 22 countries and various backgrounds, including Arabs, Russians, and Americans—as well as Christians, Muslims, and Jews.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Peterson|first1=Nolan|title=How a Swedish Sniper Found Redemption in the Ukraine War|url=http://dailysignal.com/2015/08/10/meet-the-former-neo-nazi-spokesman-who-now-fights-for-freedom-in-ukraine/|accessdate=11 August 2015|publisher=The Daily Signal|date=10 August 2015|location=Kyiv, Ukraine}}</ref>{{Better source|reason=citation is the "Daily Signal", there must be more objective sources for this (see talk page)|date=June 2016}}
Some members of the unit were described as "[[neo-Nazi]]",<ref name=bbc-20140905/><ref name=dorrell /><ref name="rico"/>{{#tag:ref|The BBC's [[Fergal Keane]] has described the unit as "a far-right Ukrainian militia".<ref name=bbc-20140905/>|group=nb}}<ref name="Frontline Ukraine 2014, page 158"/> an accusation that Ukrainian ministerial adviser, Anton Geraschenko has denied.<ref name=abcApUIM>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-13/inside-the-mariupol-base-of-ukraine's-azov-battalion/6306242 Ukraine crisis: Inside the Mariupol base of the controversial Azov battalion], [[ABC Online]] (24 March 2015)</ref><ref name="thedailybeast.com">[http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/06/09/how-many-neo-nazis-is-the-u-s-backing-in-ukraine.html How Many Neo-Nazis Is the U.S. Backing in Ukraine?], [[The Daily Beast]] (6 September 2015)</ref>{{#tag:ref|A ministerial adviser, Anton Geraschenko, has stated late 2014 "The [[Social-National Assembly]] is not a neo-Nazi organization," he said. "It is a party of Ukrainian patriots..."<ref name="bbc-newman"/><ref name="rico">{{cite web |url=https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/the-ultras-azov-battalion-and-soccer-from-inside-ukraine |archiveurl=https://wayback.archive.org/web/20160204214336/https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/the-ultras-azov-battalion-and-soccer-from-inside-ukraine |archivedate=2016-02-04 |title=The ultras, Azov Battalion, and soccer from inside Ukraine |last=Rico |first=R.J. |date=10 September 2014 |website=[[Vice (magazine)|VICE Sports]] |quote=[The] members of Azov Battalion ... have been labeled patriots by some, neo-Nazis by others....}}</ref><ref name=foreignpolicy-20140830>{{cite news |url=http://foreignpolicy.com/2014/08/30/preparing-for-war-with-ukraines-fascist-defenders-of-freedom/ |title=Preparing for War With Ukraine's Fascist Defenders of Freedom |author=Alec Luhn |newspaper=Foreign Policy |date=30 August 2014 |accessdate=15 September 2014}}</ref>|group=nb}}{{#tag:ref|Early March 2015 spokesman for the Azov Brigade Andriy Diachenko told [[USA Today]] "only 10% to 20% of the group's members are Nazis. "I know Alex is a Nazi, but it's his personal ideology. It has nothing to do with the official ideology of the Azov".<ref name=dorrell />|group=nb}} A spokesman for the unit has said this label applies to 10-20% of its recruits, and one commander attributed this ideology to misguided youth.<ref name=dorrell>{{cite news|last1=Dorrell|first1=Oren|title=Volunteer Ukrainian unit includes Nazis|url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/03/10/ukraine-azov-brigade-nazis-abuses-separatists/24664937/|date=10 March 2015|accessdate=4 November 2015|agency=[[USA Today]]|quote="Andriy Diachenko, a spokesman for the Azov Brigade, said only 10% to 20% of the group's members are Nazis."}}</ref> As a result of being a multicultural and multinational unit, those with far-right convictions live and fight side-by-side soldiers from 22 countries and various backgrounds, including Arabs, Russians, and Americans—as well as Christians, Muslims, and Jews.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Peterson|first1=Nolan|title=How a Swedish Sniper Found Redemption in the Ukraine War|url=http://dailysignal.com/2015/08/10/meet-the-former-neo-nazi-spokesman-who-now-fights-for-freedom-in-ukraine/|accessdate=11 August 2015|publisher=The Daily Signal|date=10 August 2015|location=Kyiv, Ukraine}}</ref>{{Better source|reason=citation is the "Daily Signal", there must be more objective sources for this (see talk page)|date=June 2016}}


On 11 June 2015, the [[United States House of Representatives]] passed amendments blocking any training of Azov by American forces, citing its neo-Nazi background as the reason.<ref>[https://conyers.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-passes-3-amendments-rep-conyers-defense-spending-bill-protect U.S. House Passes 3 Amendments By Rep. Conyers To Defense Spending Bill To Protect Civilians From Dangers Of Arming and Training Foreign Forces] "''Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) and Congressman Ted Yoho (R-Fla.) offered bipartisan amendments to block the training of the Ukrainian neo-Nazi paramilitary militia 'Azov Battalion'...''"</ref> On 26 June, Canadian defense minister declared as well that training by Canadian forces or support would not be provided to Azov.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Brewster|first1=Murray|title=No training for Azov regiment: Kenney|url=http://www.northumberlandnews.com/news-story/5697639-no-training-for-azov-regiment-kenney/|accessdate=27 June 2015|publisher=The Canadian Press|date=26 June 2015|location=Kyiv, Ukraine}}</ref> However the amendment was later lifted when Azov became "a regular military unit subordinate to the [[Ministry of Internal Affairs (Ukraine)|Ministry of Internal Affairs]]" according to the Vaad of Ukraine, a Jewish nationalist communal body within Ukraine.<ref name="Sokol2016">{{cite news|last1=Sokol|first1=Sam|title=US lifts ban on funding 'neo-Nazi' Ukrainian militia|url=http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/US-lifts-ban-on-funding-neo-Nazi-Ukrainian-militia-441884|accessdate=22 June 2016|work=The Jerusalem Post|agency=Reuters|publisher=The Jerusalem Post Group|date=18 January 2016}}</ref> This move has been protested by the [[Simon Wiesenthal Center]], which stated that: "In recent years, the United States has purposely ignored the glorification of Nazi collaborators, the granting of financial benefits to those who fought alongside the Nazis, and the systematic promotion of the canard of equivalency between Communist and Nazi crimes by these countries because of various political interests.".<ref name="Sokol2016" />
On 11 June 2015, the [[United States House of Representatives]] passed amendments blocking any training of Azov by American forces, citing its neo-Nazi background as the reason.<ref>[https://conyers.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-house-passes-3-amendments-rep-conyers-defense-spending-bill-protect U.S. House Passes 3 Amendments By Rep. Conyers To Defense Spending Bill To Protect Civilians From Dangers Of Arming and Training Foreign Forces] "''Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) and Congressman Ted Yoho (R-Fla.) offered bipartisan amendments to block the training of the Ukrainian neo-Nazi paramilitary militia 'Azov Battalion'...''"</ref> On 26 June, Canadian defense minister declared as well that training by Canadian forces or support would not be provided to Azov.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Brewster|first1=Murray|title=No training for Azov regiment: Kenney|url=http://www.northumberlandnews.com/news-story/5697639-no-training-for-azov-regiment-kenney/|accessdate=27 June 2015|publisher=The Canadian Press|date=26 June 2015|location=Kyiv, Ukraine}}</ref> However the amendment was later lifted when Azov became "a regular military unit subordinate to the [[Ministry of Internal Affairs (Ukraine)|Ministry of Internal Affairs]]" according to the Vaad of Ukraine, a Jewish nationalist communal body within Ukraine.<ref name="Sokol2016">{{cite news|last1=Sokol|first1=Sam|title=US lifts ban on funding 'neo-Nazi' Ukrainian militia|url=http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/US-lifts-ban-on-funding-neo-Nazi-Ukrainian-militia-441884|accessdate=22 June 2016|work=The Jerusalem Post|agency=Reuters|publisher=The Jerusalem Post Group|date=18 January 2016}}</ref> This move has been protested by the [[Simon Wiesenthal Center]], which stated that: "In recent years, the United States has purposely ignored the glorification of Nazi collaborators, the granting of financial benefits to those who fought alongside the Nazis, and the systematic promotion of the canard of equivalency between Communist and Nazi crimes by these countries because of various political interests."<ref name="Sokol2016" />


According to [[Shaun Walker]], troops of the Azov Battalion use the logo of the neo-Nazi Social-National Assembly, which resembles a ''[[Wolfsangel]]'' on their banner.<ref name=GuardianSept102014>{{cite news|last1=Walker|first1=Shaun|title=Azov fighters are Ukraine's greatest weapon and may be its greatest threat|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/10/azov-far-right-fighters-ukraine-neo-nazis|archiveurl=https://wayback.archive.org/web/20140910130437/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/10/azov-far-right-fighters-ukraine-neo-nazis|archivedate=2014-09-10|accessdate=24 April 2015|work=The Guardian Media|date=10 September 2014}}</ref> Members of the unit have stated that the inverted ''Wolfsangel'' has a different history in Ukraine and represents the Ukrainian words for "idea of a nation".<ref name="kyivpost.com"/> In addition to the ''Wolfsangel'', Azov soldiers have also been observed using stylized SS [[runes]] and swastikas on their uniforms.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/world-news/1.614913|title=Ukrainian soldiers seen wearing helmets with Nazi swastika and SS symbols|date=9 September 2014|publisher=[[Haaretz]]|accessdate=21 June 2015}}</ref> The Azov Battalion has dismissed accusations that their unit promotes fascist symbolism, stating that any resemblance to Nazi symbols is a result of Russian propaganda.<ref name="Ukraine Today">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWYFWyq4C2U|publisher=Ukraine Today|title=Russians Join Ukraine's Azov Battalion: Volunteers say Putin regime poses threat to Europe|accessdate=2016-06-19}}</ref>
According to [[Shaun Walker]], troops of the Azov Battalion use the logo of the neo-Nazi Social-National Assembly, which resembles a ''[[Wolfsangel]]'' on their banner.<ref name=GuardianSept102014>{{cite news|last1=Walker|first1=Shaun|title=Azov fighters are Ukraine's greatest weapon and may be its greatest threat|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/10/azov-far-right-fighters-ukraine-neo-nazis|archiveurl=https://wayback.archive.org/web/20140910130437/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/10/azov-far-right-fighters-ukraine-neo-nazis|archivedate=2014-09-10|accessdate=24 April 2015|work=The Guardian Media|date=10 September 2014}}</ref> Members of the unit have stated that the inverted ''Wolfsangel'' has a different history in Ukraine and represents the Ukrainian words for "idea of a nation".<ref name="kyivpost.com"/> In addition to the ''Wolfsangel'', Azov soldiers have also been observed using stylized SS [[runes]] and swastikas on their uniforms.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/world-news/1.614913|title=Ukrainian soldiers seen wearing helmets with Nazi swastika and SS symbols|date=9 September 2014|publisher=[[Haaretz]]|accessdate=21 June 2015}}</ref> The Azov Battalion has dismissed accusations that their unit promotes fascist symbolism, stating that any resemblance to Nazi symbols is a result of Russian propaganda.<ref name="Ukraine Today">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWYFWyq4C2U|publisher=Ukraine Today|title=Russians Join Ukraine's Azov Battalion: Volunteers say Putin regime poses threat to Europe|accessdate=2016-06-19}}</ref>

Revision as of 16:37, 22 June 2016

Special Operations Detachment "Azov"
(Zahin Osoblyvogo Priznacenniya)

Sleeve badge of the Azov Regiment
Active5 May 2014 – present
Country Ukraine
Branch National Guard of Ukraine, Ukrainian Armed Forces
TypeRegular military unit (Detachment/Regiment)
RoleLight infantry, armored infantry
SizeApprox. 1000 men in various sub-units
Garrison/HQUrzuf, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Other HQs and detachments in Kiev and Mariupol
ColoursBlue and Gold
Engagements
Commanders
Current
commander		Colonel Andriy Biletsky
Notable
commanders		Andrey Biletsky, Vadym Troyan, Igor Mosijchuk, Dmytro Linko

The Azov Regiment (Ukrainian: Полк Азов) is a National Guard of Ukraine regiment.[1][2][3][4] The unit is based in Mariupol in the Azov Sea coastal region.[5] It saw its first combat experience recapturing Mariupol from pro-Russian separatists forces in June 2014.[3] Initially a volunteer militia, formed as the Azov Battalion on 5 May 2014 during the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine, since 12 November 2014 Azov has been incorporated into the National Guard of Ukraine.[6] All members of the unit are under contract of and serve as part of the National Guard of Ukraine.[7]

More than half of the Battalion members are from eastern Ukraine and speak Russian,[8] and some of its recruits come from the eastern cities of Donetsk and Luhansk.[9] The regiment's commander is Andriy Biletsky, leader of the Social-National Assembly. In its early days, Azov was the Ministry of Internal Affairs' special police company, led by Volodymyr Shpara, the leader of the Vasylkiv, Kiev, branch of Patriot of Ukraine and Right Sector.[10][11][12]

History

On 13 April 2014, Arsen Avakov, the new Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine after the overthrow of the Yanukovich government, issued on a decree authorizing creating the new paramilitary force from civilians up to 12,000.[13] Avakov's deputy adviser Anton Heraschenko was tasked with overseeing the process of establishing the new security force created from civilian volunteers.[14]

The Azov Battalion was formed on 5 May 2014 during the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine. Among the patrons of the battalion are a member of the Verkhovna Rada Oleh Lyashko, and an ultra-nationalist Dmytro Korchynsky.[14] The battalion started in Mariupol where it was involved in combat,[3] and was briefly relocated to Berdyansk.[15]

On 10 June, the battalion dismissed deputy commander Yaroslav Honchar and distanced themselves from him after Honchar made criticizing statements about looting and debauchery in Azov battalion.[16]

On 11 August, Azov battalion, backed by Ukrainian paratroopers, captured Marinka from pro-Russian rebels and entered the suburbs of Donetsk clashing with Donetsk People's Republic fighters.[17]

In early September 2014, the Azov battalion was engaged in the Second Battle of Mariupol.[18] Regarding the ceasefire agreed on 5 September, Biletskiy stated "If it was a tactical move there is nothing wrong with it ... if it's an attempt to reach an agreement concerning Ukrainian soil with separatists then obviously it's a betrayal."[19]

In September 2014 the Azov battalion was enrolled into the National Guard of Ukraine as a "special police battalion"; many supporting websites were either shut down, or access to the sites was restricted.[20]

On 14 October, Azov Battalion servicemen took part in a march to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) in Kyiv organised by the Right Sector.[21]

In the 26 October 2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election Biletsky, the battalion's commander, won a constituency seat (as an independent candidate) in Kiev's Obolon Raion (Biletsky hails from Kharkiv) in the Ukrainian parliament.[22][23][24] In his constituency Biletsky won with 33.75% of the votes; runner up Vadym Stoylar followed with 17.17%.[25][26] In parliament Biletsky did not join any faction.[27] Member of the battalion Oleh Petrenko is also a MP for Petro Poroshenko Bloc after winning a constituency seat in Cherkasy in the same election.[28] In his constituency Petrenko won with 41.15% of the votes; runner up Valentyna Zhukovska followed with 23.65%.[25][29]

On 31 October 2014, deputy commander of the Azov Battalion Vadym Troyan was appointed head of Kiev Oblast (province) police (this police force has no jurisdiction over the city of Kiev).[30]

In January 2015, the Azov Battalion was promised a tank company and artillery units to reinforce its ranks.[20] In 2015, "Azov" Battalion was updated to Regiment status and renamed "Special Operations Regiment". Total strength is above 1000 officers and men (June 2015). A tank company (with T-64 and T-72 tanks) was also formed. "Azov" Regiment has then focused its capabilities on light infantry duties, such as reconnaissance, special patrols and tactical interdiction.

As of late March 2015, despite a second ceasefire agreement (Minsk II), the Azov Battalion has continued to prepare for war, with the group's leader seeing the ceasefire as "appeasement".[20] In March 2015 Interior Minister Arsen Avakov announced that the Azov Regiment would be among the first units to be trained by United States Army troops in their Operation Fearless Guardian training mission.[31][32] US training however was withdrawn on 12 June 2015, as US House of Representatives passed an amendment blocking any aid (including arms and training) to the battalion due to its Neo-Nazi background.[33] After the vote Congressman John Conyers thanked the House saying "I am grateful that the House of Representatives unanimously passed my amendments last night to ensure that our military does not train members of the repulsive neo-Nazi Azov Battalion, along with my measures to keep the dangerous and easily trafficked MANPADs out of these unstable regions."[32]

In August 2015, the Ukrainian government pulled all volunteer battalions, including the Azov Regiment, off the front lines around Mariupol, replacing them with regular military units.[34] The Azov Regiment was moved to a base in Urzuf, in the former seaside villa of deposed Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) to the southwest of Mariupol.

On 27 April 2016, 300 troops and light-armored vehicles from the regiment were assigned to Odessa to safeguard public order after Mikheil Saakashvili wrote in social media about a rash of pro-Russian "titushki" attacks on civilians.[35]

Leadership and organisation

File:LdX7lY5l-jk.jpg
Colonel and Member of Parliament Andriy Biletsky, commander of Azov Regiment

The regiment's commander is Andriy Biletsky. Biletsky stayed out of the public spotlight working on expanding Azov to battalion size. In summer 2014, he took the command of the unit. In August 2014, he was awarded a military decoration, "Order For Courage", by Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko, and promoted to lieutenant colonel of in the Interior Ministry's police forces.[36]

A 16 July 2014 report placed the Azov Battalion's strength at 300.[2] An earlier report stated that on June 23 almost 600 volunteers, including women, took oaths to join the "Donbass" and "Azov" battalions.[37] Recruits receive a salary of US$360.[38] The unit included 900 volunteers as of March 2015.[39]

The battalion was originally nicknamed the "Men in Black" or "Black Corps" (ukr.: "Chorny Korpus"), a counter to Russia's Little Green Men due to their use of all-black fatigues and masks when raiding pro-Russian checkpoints.

Current status

The Ukrainian military decided to turn all volunteer battalions into regular military units for internal policy reasons. The Ukrainian government has opted to deploy only volunteer units to the Donbass front.[40] In January 2015 "Azov" Battalion was officially upgraded to Regiment and its structures took a definite shape. A mobilization center and a training facility was established in Kiev, in former industrial complex "ATEK" for selection and examination; and the personnel, composed by volunteers from all over Ukraine, has to pass through a screening and vetting process, quite similar to army's mobilization procedures.[41]

Recruits are then assigned to the combat units of the Regiments, or to support and supply units, where they undertake intensive combat drills training. Reconnaissance and EOD units are considered the élite of "Azov" and are manned by most experienced personnel (typically, former Ukrainian Army special forces or similar).[41] Since 2015 the Battalion has been upgraded to Regimental status and "Azov" is now officially called "Special Operations Regiment", with combat duties focused on reconnaissance, counter-reconnaissance, EOD disposal, interdiction and special weapons operations.

Foreign membership

According to The Daily Telegraph, the Azov Battalion's extremist politics and professional English social media pages have attracted foreign fighters,[17] including people from Ireland, Italy, Greece and Scandinavia.[2][17] Sweden, Spain[2][42] and Russia[43] About 50 Russian nationals are members of the Azov regiment.[44]

Around 20 Croatians joined the Azov Battalion in January 2015, ranging in age from 20 to 45.[45][46] After Croatia's foreign minister Vesna Pusić confirmed that there are Croatian volunteers in Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry called Croatia to withdraw its citizens from armed conflict. Pusić replied that Croatia opposes any involvement of Croatian citizens in the war, and stated that they went on their private initiative and that Croatia is working on bringing them home.[47] Interior minister Ranko Ostojić said that Croatian volunteers are fighting on the side of the legitimate Ukrainian government and are not committing any kind of crime according to Croatian law.[48]

According to French volunteers fighting for the insurgent side, the Azov Battalion has a French instructor named Gaston Besson who tried to recruit them over the internet.[49] According to Polish researcher Kacper Rekawek, on each of the sides in the Ukrainian conflict there are around 300 foreign citizens, including some 100 Serbs and around 25 Croats.[50]

According to Minsk Ceasefire Agreements, foreign fighters are not allowed to serve in Ukraine's military: since "Azov" Regiment was granted full military status, its foreign volunteers were compelled either to take Ukrainian citizenship, or to leave the Regiment[citation needed]. Despite the Minsk Ceasefire Agreements, the regiment still has foreign fighters,[51] including an ex-British army serviceman Chris Garrett and a 33-year-old former soldier in the Greek army and French Foreign Legion known by the nom de guerre of "The Greek".[51]

Neo-Nazi ideology and symbols

The unit was described as having connections to neo-Nazism, with members wearing neo-Nazi and SS symbols and regalia; the unit has neo-Nazis among its ranks. German ZDF television observed Azov battalion fighters wearing helmets with swastikas and "the 'SS runes' of Hitler's infamous black-uniformed elite corps", and on other occasions some of the soldiers have been reported to have SS tattoos.[52][53][54]

Richard Sakwa writing about the battalion's ideology points out that its founding member Andryi Biletsky, leader of the extremist Social Nationalist Assembly made statements about "historic mission" to lead "White Races of the world in a final crusade for their survival...a crusade against the Semite-led untermenschen"; according to Sakwa, this ideology has its root in national integralism of 1920s and 30s.[55]

Ivan Katchanovski in an interview with Radio Sweden described the ideology of the battalion in the following words: "The SNA/PU advocate a neo-Nazi ideology along with ultranationalism and racism. The same applies to the SNA/PU commanders and members of the Azov battalion and many football ultras and others who serve in this formation. Biletsky is called the 'White Leader'."[56]

Some members of the unit were described as "neo-Nazi",[18][39][57][nb 1][55] an accusation that Ukrainian ministerial adviser, Anton Geraschenko has denied.[6][58][nb 2][nb 3] A spokesman for the unit has said this label applies to 10-20% of its recruits, and one commander attributed this ideology to misguided youth.[39] As a result of being a multicultural and multinational unit, those with far-right convictions live and fight side-by-side soldiers from 22 countries and various backgrounds, including Arabs, Russians, and Americans—as well as Christians, Muslims, and Jews.[60][better source needed]

On 11 June 2015, the United States House of Representatives passed amendments blocking any training of Azov by American forces, citing its neo-Nazi background as the reason.[61] On 26 June, Canadian defense minister declared as well that training by Canadian forces or support would not be provided to Azov.[62] However the amendment was later lifted when Azov became "a regular military unit subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs" according to the Vaad of Ukraine, a Jewish nationalist communal body within Ukraine.[63] This move has been protested by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which stated that: "In recent years, the United States has purposely ignored the glorification of Nazi collaborators, the granting of financial benefits to those who fought alongside the Nazis, and the systematic promotion of the canard of equivalency between Communist and Nazi crimes by these countries because of various political interests."[63]

According to Shaun Walker, troops of the Azov Battalion use the logo of the neo-Nazi Social-National Assembly, which resembles a Wolfsangel on their banner.[64] Members of the unit have stated that the inverted Wolfsangel has a different history in Ukraine and represents the Ukrainian words for "idea of a nation".[30] In addition to the Wolfsangel, Azov soldiers have also been observed using stylized SS runes and swastikas on their uniforms.[65] The Azov Battalion has dismissed accusations that their unit promotes fascist symbolism, stating that any resemblance to Nazi symbols is a result of Russian propaganda.[66]

While Azov Battalion troops have denied that the organization has any neo-Nazi or white supremacist beliefs, journalists stated that "numerous swastika tattoos of different members and their tendency to go into battle with swastikas or SS insignias drawn on their helmets make it very difficult for other members of the group to plausibly deny any neo-Nazi affiliations".[58] The organization has also incorporated the neo-Nazi Black Sun into its banner.[67][68] The unit states that and that multiple Russian citizens have joined the unit.[66]

A war correspondent managed to gain access to one of Azov's bases located in former holiday resort Majak and Azov fighters also demonstrated to him Nazi tattoos as well as emblems on their uniforms. [69]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Azov Battalion.

Notes

  1. ^ The BBC's Fergal Keane has described the unit as "a far-right Ukrainian militia".[18]
  2. ^ A ministerial adviser, Anton Geraschenko, has stated late 2014 "The Social-National Assembly is not a neo-Nazi organization," he said. "It is a party of Ukrainian patriots..."[2][57][59]
  3. ^ Early March 2015 spokesman for the Azov Brigade Andriy Diachenko told USA Today "only 10% to 20% of the group's members are Nazis. "I know Alex is a Nazi, but it's his personal ideology. It has nothing to do with the official ideology of the Azov".[39]

References

  1. ^ Margarete Klein (April 2015). "Ukraine's volunteer battalions – advantages and challenges" (PDF). Swedish Defence Research Agency.
  2. ^ a b c d e Newman, Dina (16 July 2014). "Ukraine conflict: 'White power' warrior from Sweden". BBC News. The Azov Battalion was formed and armed by Ukraine's interior ministry. A ministerial adviser, Anton Gerashchenko, [was asked] if the battalion had any neo-Nazi links through the Social National Assembly. 'The Social National Assembly is not a neo-Nazi organisation,' he said. 'It is a party of Ukrainian patriots...'
  3. ^ a b c Pancevski, Bojan (11 May 2014). "Kiev lets loose Men in Black". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  4. ^ Katie Stallard (25 May 2014). "Ukraine Militia 'Ready To Take On Separatists'". Sky News. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
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  10. ^ Template:Ref-uk Павєл Шеремет. Командир батальйону "Азов": Найстрашніша помилка влади - політичні переговори з сепаратистами, Українська правда (Ukrainian pravda), June 17, 2014.
  11. ^ Template:Ref-uk Володимир Шпара очолив «Правий сектор» в місті Васильків та Васильківському районі[dead link], The Right Sector press-service, March 26, 2014.
  12. ^ Template:Ref-ru Командир батальона "Азов" Владимир Шпара: "Мы ришли не за властью, а защищать свою Родину", June 12, 2014.
  13. ^ Template:Ref-ru Для урегулирования ситуация на Юго-Востоке МВД создает спецподразделения по охране общественного порядка, Arena.in.ua, 15 April 2014.
  14. ^ a b Anna Nemtsova. War and Murder in Eastern Ukraine, The Daily Beast, 27 May 2014.
  15. ^ Azov Battalion announced signing of new warriors, TSN News, May 20, 2014.
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  19. ^ "Ukraine crisis: Ceasefire is 'largely holding'". BBC. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
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  24. ^ Ukraine has ignored the far right for too long – it must wake up to the danger, theguardian.com (13 November 2014)
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  26. ^ Парламентські вибори: Кандидати на мажоритарних округах: Одномандатний виборчий округ № 217 [Parliamentary elections: Candidates for the majority constituencies: single-mandate constituency No. 217] (in Ukrainian). RBK Ukraine. 30 October 2014. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  27. ^ Template:Uk icon profile, on the official website of the Ukrainian parliament
  28. ^ Template:Uk icon Full list of newly elected People's Deputies, Televiziyna Sluzhba Novyn (12 November 2014)
  29. ^ Парламентські вибори: Кандидати на мажоритарних округах: Одномандатний виборчий округ № 22 [Parliamentary elections: Candidates for the majority constituencies: single-mandate constituency No. 22] (in Ukrainian). RBK Ukraine. 5 December 2014. Archived from the original on 5 December 2014.
  30. ^ a b Ian Bateson; Kyiv Post staff (3 December 2014). "Former Azov battalion leader works to clean up Kyiv regional police, his image". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  31. ^ "US forces to hold exercises in Ukraine". Huffington Post. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  32. ^ a b John Conyers, Jr (11 June 2015). "U.S. House Passes 3 Amendments By Rep. Conyers To Defense Spending Bill To Protect Civilians From Dangers Of Arming and Training Foreign Forces". US House of Representatives. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  33. ^ Carden, James (12 June 2015). "Why Is Washington Still Pushing for War With Russia?". The Nation. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  34. ^ Nolan Peterson. "Putin's War: Regular and Volunteer Ukrainian Troops Vie in Mariupol", Newsweek, 29 August 2015.
  35. ^ До Одеси вже прибуло щонайменше 300 бійців полку "Азов" [At least 300 fighters for the "Azov" regiment have arrived in Odessa]. Pravda.com.ua (in Ukrainian). 27 April 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  36. ^ УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ № 631/2014: Про відзначення державними нагородами України [DECREE OF THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE: № 631/2014 On awarding state decorations of Ukraine] (in Ukrainian). 2 August 2014. Archived from the original on 6 August 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ Will Stewart and Sara Malm. Ukraine's women sign up to fight as top politician claims number of children killed is 'ten times higher than official toll', UK Newsday, 23 June 2014.
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  39. ^ a b c d Dorrell, Oren (10 March 2015). "Volunteer Ukrainian unit includes Nazis". USA Today. Retrieved 4 November 2015. Andriy Diachenko, a spokesman for the Azov Brigade, said only 10% to 20% of the group's members are Nazis.
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  41. ^ a b Peterson, Nolan (21 April 2015). "A Ukrainian National Guard Unit Trains to 'Fight to the Death'". NewsWeek. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
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  47. ^ Krnić, Denis (14 February 2015). "Otkrivamo zašto je Putin ljut samo na Hrvate: naredba je - zapovjednika iz "Azova" uhvatiti živog!". Slobodna Dalmacija (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 2015-02-15. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  48. ^ "Pusić: Ima hrvatskih vojnika koji su se priključili ukrajinskoj vojsci" (in Croatian). Index.hr. 11 February 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  49. ^ Template:Ref-ru Французский шарм ополчения Донбасса, Komsomolskaya Pravda, August 26, 2014 - Video of the Interview, with English subtitles on YouTube
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  53. ^ Shaun Walker. "Azov fighters are Ukraine's greatest weapon and may be its greatest threat". the Guardian.
  54. ^ "German TV Shows Nazi Symbols on Helmets of Ukraine Soldiers". NBC News.
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  61. ^ U.S. House Passes 3 Amendments By Rep. Conyers To Defense Spending Bill To Protect Civilians From Dangers Of Arming and Training Foreign Forces "Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) and Congressman Ted Yoho (R-Fla.) offered bipartisan amendments to block the training of the Ukrainian neo-Nazi paramilitary militia 'Azov Battalion'..."
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  67. ^ lądowe, Wojska (13 June 2015). "USA nie będą szkolić batalionu Azow". Altair.com.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 15 June 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  68. ^ Linda Wurster (2014-08-14). "Schmutziger Kampf in der Ukraine: Neonazis im Dienst der Regierung". Focus Online (in German).
  69. ^ Chłopcy z „Azowa” bronią Mariupola. Ukrainy, Europy i… białej rasy
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