What is Ukraine’s controversial Azov Brigade? Why is it on track to get US military aid?

The US has recently lifted a ban on providing American weapons and training to Ukraine’s Azov Brigade, a unit that has garnered significant controversy due to allegations of neo-Nazi ideology and human rights abuses.

We explain why the Azov Brigade has been controversial and how getting US military aid could help it.

Origins of the Azov Brigade

The Azov Brigade, originally known as the Azov Battalion, was formed in 2014 amidst the turmoil of Ukraine’s struggle to repel Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas region. Founded by Andriy Biletsky, a prominent figure in Ukraine’s far-right circles, the unit began as a volunteer force. While it attracted a significant number of individuals with far-right and ultra-nationalist views, the group’s composition was diverse, with many joining out of patriotism and a desire to defend Ukraine.

In 2014, the Azov Battalion played a crucial role in the defence of Mariupol, a strategic city in southeastern Ukraine. Their effectiveness in combat quickly elevated their status, and they were later integrated into the National Guard of Ukraine, becoming the Azov Brigade.

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In 2022, at the start of Russia’s full-blown invasion of Ukraine, Azov soldiers played a crucial part in defence of Mariupol, holding out in a siege and low on ammunition for weeks at the southern port city’s steel mill, despite devastating attacks from Russian forces.

Although hailed as heroes in recent times, the Azov Brigade has long been mired in controversy.

Allegations of human rights violations

The Azov Brigade has faced numerous allegations of human rights abuses from international organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Reports from these organizations have documented instances of unlawful detention, torture, and other forms of abuse attributed to members of the Azov Battalion.

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For example, the OHCHR reported in 2016 that Azov members were involved in the cruel treatment, rape, and other forms of sexual violence against a man with a mental disability in 2014. Another case from 2015 involved the detention and torture of a Mariupol resident who was accused of supporting the separatists in Donetsk region.

Russia has branded the Azov Brigade as a terrorist organisation, and has frequently accused it of human rights abuses. However, these accusations often lack substantiating evidence and are viewed by some as part of Russia’s broader propaganda efforts to discredit Ukraine’s military.

Why has the US lifted the ban, then?

The decision to lift the ban on providing military aid to the Azov Brigade is rooted in the conclusion that there is “no evidence” of ongoing human rights violations by the current unit. This assessment follows a review by the US State Department, which highlighted that the present-day Azov Brigade is distinct from the volunteer militia formed in 2014.

The Azov Brigade has also publicly denied any neo-Nazi associations in recent years. In a statement to CNN, the brigade emphasised that its ranks include individuals from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, including Greeks, Jews, Crimean Tatars, and Russians. They asserted that their motivation has consistently angered Russia, which they claim has led to a sustained disinformation campaign against them.

Benefits of US lifting the ban

The lifting of the ban allows the Azov Brigade to receive American weapons and training, which is expected to significantly enhance their combat capabilities. The brigade, now an integral part of Ukraine’s National Guard, has maintained its reputation as a formidable fighting force against Russian troops.

In statements following the lifting of the ban, the Azov Brigade expressed optimism about the increased combat ability and improved personnel safety that American support would bring. “Azov is becoming even more powerful, even more professional and even more dangerous for occupiers.”

“Obtaining Western weapons and training from the United States will not only increase the combat ability of Azov, but most importantly, contribute to the preservation of the lives and the health of personnel,” the statement said.

Russia’s reaction

Unsurprisingly, Russia has reacted negatively to the US decision. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the move as a willingness by the US to “flirt with neo-Nazis,” maintaining Russia’s narrative that the Azov Brigade remains a far-right extremist group. This criticism aligns with Russia’s broader propaganda strategy, which frames the Ukrainian government and its military units as neo-Nazi threats.

This narrative has been a cornerstone of President Vladimir Putin’s justification for the invasion of Ukraine, which he has framed as a mission to “denazify” the country. Despite the fact that Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is Jewish, and the lack of credible evidence to support claims of widespread neo-Nazi influence, Russia continues to stress this angle in its domestic and international messaging.

With inputs from agencies