The State Department clarified on Tuesday that Ukraine’s Azov Brigade will be granted access to American training and weapons, following a U.S. review that revealed no evidence of human rights violations. This move dismisses Russian disinformation aimed at undermining the unit’s reputation.
The department clarified that although U.S. law prohibits military assistance to foreign security forces implicated in severe human rights violations, a review specifically examining Ukraine’s National Guard, including the 12th Special Forces Azov Brigade, deemed them eligible for U.S. funds.
The department stated that following a comprehensive review, Ukraine’s 12th Special Forces Azov Brigade successfully passed the Leahy vetting conducted by the U.S. Department of State, referring to the Leahy Law.
The Far-Right Azov Regiment, part of Ukraine’s National Guard, traces its roots back to a battalion formed in 2014. It emerged amidst the conflict against Russian-backed separatists, who sought to create breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.
“The State Department stated that Russian disinformation has been actively attempting to discredit the Special Forces Azov Brigade by falsely associating it with a militia from 2014 that disbanded in 2015. However, the State Department clarified that the composition of the Special Forces Brigade Azov is notably distinct.”