Azov Brigade
Ukrainian National Guard brigade / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Azov Assault Brigade (Ukrainian: Штурмова бригада «Азов», romanized: Shturmova bryhada "Azov") is a formation of the National Guard of Ukraine formerly based in Mariupol, in the coastal region of the Sea of Azov, from which it derives its name.[8] It was founded in May 2014 as the Azov Battalion[lower-alpha 1] (Ukrainian: батальйон «Азов», romanized: Batalion "Azov"), a self-funded volunteer militia under the command of Andriy Biletsky, to fight Russian-backed forces in the Donbas War. It was formally incorporated into the National Guard on 11 November 2014,[10][11] and redesignated Special Operations Detachment "Azov",[lower-alpha 2] also known as the Azov Regiment.[lower-alpha 3] In February 2023, the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that Azov was to be expanded as a brigade of the new Offensive Guard.[12][13]
Azov Assault Brigade | |
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Штурмова бригада «Азов» | |
Active | 5 May 2014 – present |
Country | Ukraine |
Branch | Special Tasks Patrol Police (2014) National Guard of Ukraine (2014 - present) |
Type | Mechanized infantry |
Role | Gendarmerie, national security. |
Size | 900–2,500 members[1][2][3] |
Colours | Blue and gold |
Anniversaries | 5 May |
Engagements | |
Website | azov |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Denys Prokopenko (17 July 2023 – present)[4] |
Notable commanders | Andriy Biletsky (May–October 2014) Ihor Mosiychuk Vadym Troyan Maksim Zhorin[5] Denys Prokopenko (September 2017 – 29 May 2022)[6] (17 July 2023 - present)[4] Anatoliy Sidorenko (29 May – June 2022)[7] Mykyta Nadtochiy (June 2022 – 17 July 2023)[5] |
Insignia | |
Banner |
The unit has drawn controversy over its early and allegedly continuing association with far-right groups and neo-Nazi ideology,[14] its use of controversial symbols linked to Nazism, and early allegations that members of the unit participated in human rights violations.[15][16][17] Some experts have been critical of the regiment's role within the larger Azov Movement, a political umbrella group made up of veterans and organizations linked to Azov, and its possible far-right political ambitions, despite claims of the regiment's depoliticization.[18][9] Others argue that the regiment has changed, tempering its far-right underpinnings as it became part of the National Guard.[19][20][10] The Azov Regiment has been a recurring theme of Russian propaganda.[21] The unit has been designated a terrorist group by Russia since August 2022.[22]
The regiment's size was estimated to be around 2,500 combatants in 2017,[3] and around 900 in 2022.[23] Most of the unit's members are Russian speakers from Russian-speaking regions of Ukraine. It also includes members from other countries.[10] The regiment gained renewed attention during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russian president Vladimir Putin alleged that Ukraine was controlled by far-right forces, such as Azov, and gave "denazification" as a reason for the invasion. The Azov regiment played a prominent role in the Siege of Mariupol and made its final stand at the Azovstal steel plant.[24][25] The siege ended when a significant number of the regiment's fighters, including its commander, Denys Prokopenko, surrendered to Russian forces on orders from the Ukrainian high command.