“The Azov Battalion: History, Controversies, and Current Status in Ukraine’s War”

The Azov Battalion received much publicity during the first phase of the war in Ukraine, largely due to its ultra-nationalist roots. The battalion has had neo-Nazis and right-wing extremists in its ranks. Their uniforms are also equipped with Wolfsangel insignia, something they share with Nazi Germany’s SS uniforms.

The battalion was started in 2014 as a volunteer militia on the outside of Ukraine’s defenses, after the Crimean peninsula was annexed by pro-Russian forces and Russian-backed separatists took control of areas in the Ukrainian counties of Donetsk and Luhansk.

At the time, Azov volunteered to fight the separatists, helping to recapture the strategically important port city of Mariupol, located in Donetsk. As a result, in 2016 the Azov Battalion was incorporated into the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The tribute after hard battles

After Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Azov battalion was once again central, this time also in the defense of Mariupol.

For weeks they held off the massive attacks against the port city and they took cover under the city’s huge steel works (Azovstal), along with the remaining civilians.

Underground, without access to supplies, they held their ground despite being surrounded by Russian forces on all sides.

The end of the visa was that the civilians were allowed to evacuate safely and the remaining Azov soldiers (around 900) were ordered to surrender.

The soldiers who surrendered were captured by the Russians and housed in a Russian-controlled prison in Donetsk. After a few months, the prison was bombed and many Azov prisoners of war died. In September, 100 of the remaining Azov prisoners were released in the context of a prisoner exchange.

More than 1,000 Azov soldiers are still in Russian captivity. One of the Azov soldiers held captive is the battalion’s temporary leader, Bohdan Krotevych.

He says to The Washington Post that he has requested several prisoner exchanges, but that this has not resulted.

– I have concluded that most of our soldiers can be released by capturing Russian soldiers and winning the war, he tells the newspaper.

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Get rid of the Nazi rumor?

Many have questioned the ties the Azov Battalion has to far-right forces, but as the war has progressed, several have advocated that the ties have been washed away over time. This is due to the addition of new soldiers to the battalion and the dropout of dead and captured former soldiers.

– It is the name that, thanks to the battles in Mariupol, became known to the world. Before, there were many negative associations linked to the name. Now it is more positive, since what we have done has worked. The recruits who come to us understand that, says Azov sergeant Maslo The Washington Post.

Want weapon stoppers removed

Azov’s old reputation still clings to them, which means that the battalion has not been given access to weapons and equipment supplied by the United States. It is something that Azov is demanding – now that spring and a counter-offensive – are on the way.

– We are ready to liberate territory, says the Azov chief.

The Azov battalion’s objective is to recruit 6,500 new soldiers, which will restore the battalion’s combat power.