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US Lifts Ban on Providing Weapons and Training to Azov Brigade, Citing Thorough Review
The US lifts ban on providing weapons and training to Azov Brigade after review. Azov hails the decision as a boost to its combat ability.
ND
by News Desk
2024-06-12
US Lifts Ban on Providing Weapons and Training to Azov Brigade, Citing Thorough Review

The United States has announced the lifting of a ban on providing weapons and training to the Azov brigade, a Ukrainian military unit that gained prominence for its defense of Mariupol in 2022. The decision follows a comprehensive review conducted by the US State Department, which found no evidence of human rights violations within the current Azov brigade.

 

In a statement released on Tuesday, the US State Department emphasized that the current iteration of the Azov brigade is distinct from the volunteer militia formed in 2014, which faced criticism for its association with far-right circles. The ban on the brigade's use of US weapons was initially imposed due to concerns about the neo-Nazi ideology of some of its founders.

 

"This marks a new chapter in the history of our brigade," Azov stated in a social media post, welcoming the US decision. "Acquiring Western weapons and training from the United States will not only enhance Azov's combat effectiveness but, most importantly, contribute to the safety and well-being of our personnel."

 

The Azov brigade, now integrated into Ukraine's National Guard as the 12th Special Forces Brigade, is regarded as one of the country's most effective fighting units. Its current members reject allegations of extremism and disavow any ties with far-right movements. The US State Department acknowledged Azov's "heroic role" in the 2022 defense of Mariupol, highlighting its valor in the face of Russian aggression.

 

The lifting of the ban is expected to bolster the brigade's fighting capacity, particularly amid ongoing conflict with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Azov soldiers played a pivotal role in the defense of Mariupol, symbolizing Ukrainian resistance against Russian forces.

 

While Moscow has portrayed Azov as a Nazi group and accused it of atrocities, the brigade has denied these allegations. The Kremlin's designation of Azov as a terrorist group in 2022 has been met with skepticism by Western nations.

 

The Azov brigade emerged from the Azov Battalion, formed to combat Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Over the years, it has sought to distance itself from controversial figures and reshape its public image as an effective and disciplined fighting force.
Tagged:

HumanRights

AzovBrigade

USUkraineRelations

MariupolDefense
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