Azov Fighters: Ukraine’s Greatest Weapon?

“Be grateful for what you already have while you pursue your goals. If you aren’t grateful for what you already have, what makes you think you would be happy with more.” – Roy T. Bennett

The Azov Special Operations Detachment is an extreme right wing neo-Nazi paramilitary unit of the Ukraine National Guard. It is based in Mariupol in the Azov Sea coastal region of Ukraine. It fought Russian separatist forces in the Donbas war in 2014. The unit gained notoriety after allegations of extreme torture, violence and extremist Nazi sympathies were outed. Their symbols on their patches show these. Their logo featuring the Wolfsangel, one of the original symbols used by the 2nd SS Panzer Division of the third Reich.

In 2014 around 25% or more of the unit were dedicated neo-Nazis. In 2018 congress blocked a military aide packet to Azov due to its extremism and white supremist theology. They have become a volunteer unit and have been mostly engaged on the Ukrainian frontline war against pro Russian separatists. Many members wax philosophically about Adolf Hitler. They call Putin a Jew.

The unit has attracted many extreme pro Nazi members from around the world. They come from foreign military units and are highly trained specialists like snipers etc. They describe themselves as “ethnic nationalists”. Many want to take the war to Kiev. They consider the Ukrainian armed forces to be lions led by sheep. They want a strong dictator to take control as opposed to the man in charge now. They want that man to control the country with a rod of iron that will restrict citizens rights until law and order nationalist style brings unity to the country. There are several units like this one, another being the Aidar whose atrocities have been investigated by Amnesty International. Their fighters expect a new revolution in Ukraine that will bring a more decisive military leader into power.

Facebook, the censor of all pro American patriots of which I am one, allows open praise for these units and their members. This despite an earlier ban by Facebook. Now, apparently in a reverse decision, all is good again. This anti Russian militia, known for its hardcore right-wing ultranationalist and the neo-Nazi ideology pervasive among its members, can write what they want. (But don’t dare try say the 2020 election was fraudulent! )

According to internal policy materials Facebook will “allow praise of the Azov Battalion when explicitly and exclusively praising their role in defending Ukraine OR their role as part of the Ukraine’s National Guard.” Comments like “Azov movement volunteers are real heroes, they are a much needed support to our national guard” and “We are under attack. Azov has been courageously defending our town for the last 6 hours”; and “I think Azov is playing a patriotic role during this crisis.” Apparently the actions and philosophy of these extremist units does not go against Facebooks social medias community standards! The fact they hate Jews and other ethnic minorities I guess is irrelevant. Hypocritical bas***ds!

Ukraine has a Neo Nazi problem. There are over 30 privately funded volunteer battalions. Azov, the best known and most violent, use Nazi era symbolism and openly recruits neo Nazis into its ranks, Ukraine says that their extremism has been tampered down due to becoming a part of the Ukrainian national guard. I call BS! When Putin attacked Crimea in 2014 it was these units that deployed and fought against Russia as the Ukrainian army was useless, corrupt and in decrepit condition. Ukraine might say that Azov has assimilated into the Ukrainian army but not so fast. They still run their own children’s camps in their agenda plus they actively try get recruits attempting to join the Ukrainian army to join them instead. They promote violence against minorities and especially the LGBTQI community.

Since 2014 Canada has been steadily supplying weaponry to Ukraine and most of it, with Canadas knowledge, has ended up in the hands of extremist units like so called integrated extremist far-right militias including the Aidar, Dnipro, Donbass, and Azov battalions into the National Guard.

From EuroNews just a few days ago comes this statement:

Recently a controversial topic has landed in front of politicians in the Ukrainian parliament and is getting international attention. Seventy-eight Ukrainian lawmakers from all sides of the parliament have proposed to give the title ‘Hero of Ukraine’ to controversial figures such as Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevych. Some Ukrainians see them as war heroes who fought for Ukrainian independence back in the 1930s and 1940s. For others, they are antisemitic war criminals who took part in the mass killings of up to 100,000 Jews and Poles during WW2 in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia.

The Ukrainian Insurgent Army, known as the UPA, fought willingly alongside the German army in WWII until they realized that Hitler had no plans to grant them full Ukrainian independence. Let’s see if they are recognized and have statues made and stamps produced with their likeness.

No extremist neo Nazi problem in Ukraine? Hmmm…..

Anyway. I just wanted to give you all a slightly different outlook on Ukraine. There are many normal people there but the threat of Ukraine possibly removing the Russians could end up with Ukraine becoming an extreme right wing state.

©Fred Brownbill. All rights reserved.

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