HERE IS A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE MAIN MYTHS ABOUT AZOV AND A DETAILED RATIONALE THAT DEBUNKS THEM.
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Azov started its operation as a volunteer unit. In 2014, amid the chaos and surprise of an attack from the Russian Federation, the selection criteria was not regulated and strict. Azov recruited anyone who was ready to defend the country with a weapon in their arms. In this regard, some people with radical political views and outlooks joined Azov. As soon as Azov got on the rails of development and discipline, such people were dismissed from the unit, as any form of discrimination or hate speech is unacceptable for the regiment. It is important to note that those people with unacceptable positions for the unit did not commit any crimes against any individual anyway.
MYTH 5: NEO-NAZIS SERVE IN AZOV
Viacheslav Likhachev, a well-known political scientist of Jewish origin and researcher of the ideology and activities of modern far-right movements in Russia and Ukraine, notes:
There were some individuals with neo-Nazi background and Far Right views among the people who founded The Azov Battalion in the very beginning in 2014, though even not all the founders had such a background. For example, among the first members of Azov there were activists from the AutoMaidan volunteer groups and many Jews (including at least one Israeli citizen). Most of the soldiers with far-right background left the regiment by the end of 2014. The rest of the far-right radicals who clearly articulated their views were discharged in 2017 by the order from the new commanders of the Regiment. As of today, there are absolutely no grounds for accusations that neo-Nazis serve in the Azov Regiment.
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Azov is a military unit that has no ideological attachment to any political movement. No official statements of the unit have declared any commitment to the neo-Nazi ideas.
Now, same as for the past 9 years, it is forbidden in Azov to use any Nazi and fascist symbols on badges, tattoos, clothing, flags, etc.
Reconnaissance personnel of the Azov Brigade are training in open waters. 2023
Tactical training of the Azov Brigade. 2023
Infantrymen of the brigade practice landing from the MaxxPro armored vehicle. 2023
Reconnaissance personnel of the Azov Brigade. 2023
Commander of the Azov Brigade, Colonel Denys “Redis” Prokopenko during the brigade tactical training after his return from Turkey. 2023
Tactical training of the Azov Brigade. 2023
Reconnaissance personnel of the Azov Brigade are training in open waters. 2023
Commander of the Azov Brigade, Colonel Denys “Redis” Prokopenko during the brigade tactical training after his return from Turkey. 2023
Infantrymen of the brigade practice landing from the MaxxPro armored vehicle. 2023
Reconnaissance personnel of the Azov Brigade. 2023
Azov started its operation as a volunteer unit. In 2014, amid the chaos and surprise of an attack from the Russian Federation, the selection criteria was not regulated and strict. Azov recruited anyone who was ready to defend the country with a weapon in their arms. In this regard, some people with radical political views and outlooks joined Azov. As soon as Azov got on the rails of development and discipline, such people were dismissed from the unit, as any form of discrimination or hate speech is unacceptable for the regiment. It is important to note that those people with unacceptable positions for the unit did not commit any crimes against any individual anyway.
MYTH 5: NEO-NAZIS SERVE IN AZOV
Viacheslav Likhachev, a well-known political scientist of Jewish origin and researcher of the ideology and activities of modern far-right movements in Russia and Ukraine, notes:
Now, same as for the past 9 years, it is forbidden in Azov to use any Nazi and fascist symbols on badges, tattoos, clothing, flags, etc.
There were some individuals with neo-Nazi background and Far Right views among the people who founded The Azov Battalion in the very beginning in 2014, though even not all the founders had such a background. For example, among the first members of Azov there were activists from the AutoMaidan volunteer groups and many Jews (including at least one Israeli citizen). Most of the soldiers with far-right background left the regiment by the end of 2014. The rest of the far-right radicals who clearly articulated their views were discharged in 2017 by the order from the new commanders of the Regiment. As of today, there are absolutely no grounds for accusations that neo-Nazis serve in the Azov Regiment.
"
Azov is a military unit that has no ideological attachment to any political movement. No official statements of the unit have declared any commitment to the neo-Nazi ideas.