HERE IS A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE MAIN MYTHS ABOUT AZOV AND A DETAILED RATIONALE THAT DEBUNKS THEM.
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MYTH 9: AZOV IS A PARAMILITARY ENTITY BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE
In 2023, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko repeatedly personally awarded Azov fighters with state and departmental awards, as well as handguns awarded for service.* 10 representatives of Azov were honored with the highest state award — the title of the Hero of Ukraine. The Gold Star Order, which is awarded to those who received this title, is personally awarded by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
*Handguns are illegal in Ukraine, except for target shooting, those who hold concealed carry permits, and handguns awarded for service.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky awarded the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov with the honorary award "For Courage and Bravery" on the 10th anniversary of the National Guard of Ukraine, March 26, 2024. During his speech, the President singled out the Azov Brigade, whose soldiers defended Mariupol and Azovstal, among other military formations of the National Guard. He also commemorated the brigade's soldiers who are still in Russian captivity and assured that the state is making every effort to bring Ukrainian defenders home. The President handed the ribbon to the commander of the Azov Brigade, Colonel Denys "Redis" Prokopenko.
Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi with Azov officers Ilia “Gandalf” Samoilenko, Bohdan “Tavr” Krotevych, and Mykyta “Raz-Dva” Nadtochiy. July, 2023
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky with the commander of the Azov Brigade, Denys “Redis” Prokopenko upon his return to Ukraine from Turkey. July, 2023
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky presents the Order of the Golden Star to Azov serviceman, Hero of Ukraine, officer Lev “Horus” Pashko. February, 2023
In 2023, during his diplomatic visit to Turkey, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky solely held talks with Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the return of Azov commanders from Turkey to Ukraine.
Azov is a military unit within the National Guard of Ukraine, which obeys the orders of the General Staff of Ukraine. In the entire history of Azov's existence, there is not a single proven situation of disobedience or sabotage of orders of the Ukrainian General Staff by the Azov troops.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi regularly holds meetings with Azov commanders as part of the work process of Ukrainian General Staff.
Head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine Andrii Yermak presents the Order of the Golden Star to Deputy Commander of the Azov Brigade, Hero of Ukraine Sviatoslav “Kalyna” Palamar. Turkey, September, 2022
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and commander of the Azov Brigade, Colonel Denys "Redis" Prokopenko. March 26, 2024.
The commander of the National Guard of Ukraine, Brigadier General Oleksandr Pivnenko, and the commander of the Azov Brigade, Colonel Denys "Redis" Prokopenko. March 26, 2024.
Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi with Azov officers Ilia “Gandalf” Samoilenko, Bohdan “Tavr” Krotevych, and Mykyta “Raz-Dva” Nadtochiy. July, 2023
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky with the commander of the Azov Brigade, Denys “Redis” Prokopenko upon his return to Ukraine from Turkey. July, 2023
Head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine Andrii Yermak presents the Order of the Golden Star to Deputy Commander of the Azov Brigade, Hero of Ukraine Sviatoslav “Kalyna” Palamar. Turkey, September, 2022
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky presents the Order of the Golden Star to Azov serviceman, Hero of Ukraine, officer Lev “Horus” Pashko. February, 2023
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and commander of the Azov Brigade, Colonel Denys "Redis" Prokopenko. March 26, 2024.
The commander of the National Guard of Ukraine, Brigadier General Oleksandr Pivnenko, and the commander of the Azov Brigade, Colonel Denys "Redis" Prokopenko. March 26, 2024.
MYTH 9: AZOV IS A PARAMILITARY ENTITY BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE
Azov is a military unit within the National Guard of Ukraine, which obeys the orders of the General Staff of Ukraine. In the entire history of Azov's existence, there is not a single proven situation of disobedience or sabotage of orders of the Ukrainian General Staff by the Azov troops.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi regularly holds meetings with Azov commanders as part of the work process of Ukrainian General Staff.
In 2023, during his diplomatic visit to Turkey, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky solely held talks with Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the return of Azov commanders from Turkey to Ukraine.
In 2023, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko repeatedly personally awarded Azov fighters with state and departmental awards, as well as handguns awarded for service*. 10 representatives of Azov were honored with the highest state award — the title of the Hero of Ukraine. The Gold Star Order, which is awarded to those who received this title, is personally awarded by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky awarded the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov with the honorary award "For Courage and Bravery" on the 10th anniversary of the National Guard of Ukraine, March 26, 2024. During his speech, the President singled out the Azov Brigade, whose soldiers defended Mariupol and Azovstal, among other military formations of the National Guard. He also commemorated the brigade's soldiers who are still in Russian captivity and assured that the state is making every effort to bring Ukrainian defenders home. The President handed the ribbon to the commander of the Azov Brigade, Colonel Denys "Redis" Prokopenko.