403
Sorry!!
Error! We're sorry, but the page you were
looking for doesn't exist.
America removes weapons prohibition on Ukrainian neo-Nazi unit
(MENAFN) The United States State Department has lifted its ban on supplying weapons to Ukraine's Azov Brigade, a unit with members who have openly expressed ultranationalist and neo-Nazi views. The decision follows a thorough review, where the department found "no evidence" of human rights violations by the brigade, despite previous restrictions due to the unit's ideological ties.
In a statement to the Washington Post, the State Department confirmed that the Azov Brigade, officially known as Ukraine’s 12th Special Forces Azov Brigade, had passed Leahy vetting, which prohibits military aid to groups implicated in human rights abuses. Ukrainian officials had prioritized lifting the ban during their lobbying efforts.
The Azov Brigade originated as a volunteer battalion in 2014, actively engaging in the conflict with the breakaway Donbass republics following the Western-backed coup in Kiev. The unit's core consisted of ultranationalists, neo-Nazi group members, and far-right football hooligans. One of its co-founders, Andrey Biletsky, previously affiliated with a white supremacist organization, has since softened his rhetoric and denied neo-Nazi ties. However, many fighters in the brigade still display Nazi tattoos and symbols, including the Wolfsangel, used by German divisions during World War II.
In 2015, the Azov Brigade was integrated into Ukraine’s National Guard and has since expanded significantly.
In a statement to the Washington Post, the State Department confirmed that the Azov Brigade, officially known as Ukraine’s 12th Special Forces Azov Brigade, had passed Leahy vetting, which prohibits military aid to groups implicated in human rights abuses. Ukrainian officials had prioritized lifting the ban during their lobbying efforts.
The Azov Brigade originated as a volunteer battalion in 2014, actively engaging in the conflict with the breakaway Donbass republics following the Western-backed coup in Kiev. The unit's core consisted of ultranationalists, neo-Nazi group members, and far-right football hooligans. One of its co-founders, Andrey Biletsky, previously affiliated with a white supremacist organization, has since softened his rhetoric and denied neo-Nazi ties. However, many fighters in the brigade still display Nazi tattoos and symbols, including the Wolfsangel, used by German divisions during World War II.
In 2015, the Azov Brigade was integrated into Ukraine’s National Guard and has since expanded significantly.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Comments
No comment