Changes

According to [[NBC News]] the '''Azov Battalion''' was “founded by an avowed [[white supremacist]] who claimed [[Ukraine]]’s national purpose was to rid the country of [[Jews]] and other inferior races.”<ref>https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/ukraine-has-nazi-problem-vladimir-putin-s-denazification-claim-war-ncna1290946</ref>  The '''Azov Movement''' is neither just a “Nazi militia” or a “regular military unit”. It is a large & successful political movement with deep ties to the [[Kyiv regime]], to [[organized crime]], to domestic and foreign [[intelligence service]]s and to [[extremist]] organizations all over the world.<ref>https://twitter.com/RWApodcast/status/1528023286315204608</ref>   

According to [[NBC News]] the '''Azov Battalion''' was “founded by an avowed [[white supremacist]] who claimed [[Ukraine]]’s national purpose was to rid the country of [[Jews]] and other inferior races.”<ref>https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/ukraine-has-nazi-problem-vladimir-putin-s-denazification-claim-war-ncna1290946</ref>  The '''Azov Movement''' is neither just a “Nazi militia” or a “regular military unit”. It is a large & successful political movement with deep ties to the [[Kyiv regime]], to [[organized crime]], to domestic and foreign [[intelligence service]]s and to [[extremist]] organizations all over the world.<ref>https://twitter.com/RWApodcast/status/1528023286315204608</ref>   

''[[The Guardian]]''  reported in 2015, "while the Azov and other volunteer battalions might be Ukraine's most potent and reliable force on the battlefield against the [Donbas] separatists, they also pose the most serious threat to the Ukrainian government, and perhaps even the state."<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/10/azov-far-right-fighters-ukraine-neo-nazis</ref>  It's founder, [[Andriy Biletsky]] famously described the Azov Battalion's role in the [[Revolution of Dignity]], "we have fun killing."<ref>https://youtu.be/0C1O2WWqyPQ?t=1035</ref>

''[[The Guardian]]''  reported in 2015, "while the Azov and other volunteer battalions might be Ukraine's most potent and reliable force on the battlefield against the [Donbas] separatists, they also pose the most serious threat to the Ukrainian government, and perhaps even the state."<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/10/azov-far-right-fighters-ukraine-neo-nazis</ref>  Its founder, [[Andriy Biletsky]] famously described the Azov Battalion's role in the [[Revolution of Dignity]], "we have fun killing."<ref>https://youtu.be/0C1O2WWqyPQ?t=1035</ref>

The [[New Zealand mosque shooting|Christchurch, New Zealand killer]] who murdered 51 [[Muslim]] worshippers in 2019 received training from the Azov Battalion, and wore their insignia on his flak jacket during the shooting.<ref>https://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-the-transnational-network-that-nobody-is-talking-about/</ref><ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/15/world/asia/christchurch-mass-shooting-extremism.html</ref>  The Buffalo, New York supermarket shooter who killed 10 civilians in May 2022 likewise employed the Azov Battalion's Black Sun logo on the cover of his 180 page manifesto.<ref>https://twitter.com/stillgray/status/1525601782197817344</ref> <ref>https://www.scribd.com/document/574156945/Payton-Gendron-Manifesto#download</ref>

The [[New Zealand mosque shooting|Christchurch, New Zealand killer]] who murdered 51 [[Muslim]] worshippers in 2019 received training from the Azov Battalion, and wore their insignia on his flak jacket during the shooting.<ref>https://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-the-transnational-network-that-nobody-is-talking-about/</ref><ref>https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/15/world/asia/christchurch-mass-shooting-extremism.html</ref>  The Buffalo, New York supermarket shooter who killed 10 civilians in May 2022 likewise employed the Azov Battalion's Black Sun logo on the cover of his 180-page manifesto.<ref>https://twitter.com/stillgray/status/1525601782197817344</ref><ref>https://www.scribd.com/document/574156945/Payton-Gendron-Manifesto#download</ref>

After the incorporation of the Azov Battalion into the Ukrainian military, Azov leaders were dispersed throughout Ukrainian military and security services, and into its bureaucratic and political structure.

After the incorporation of the Azov Battalion into the Ukrainian military, Azov leaders were dispersed throughout Ukrainian military and security services, and into its bureaucratic and political structure.

==Origins==

==Origins==

The roots of the Azov movement can be found in the Neo-Nazi [[football hooligan|soccer hooligan]] scene of [[Kharkiv]]. Andrei Biletsky was the central figure of the nascent movement for the longest time. A Kharkiv native, he joined numerous nationalist organizations, for example the Lviv-based “Tryzub”.  He also actively supported the Kharkiv cell of the [[Social-National Party of Ukraine]], now renamed Svoboda. In 2006, Biletsky founded Patriot of Ukraine, a nationalist organization that engaged in street violence and [[terrorism]].  Biletsky's patron during this period was [[Arsen Avakov]], an [[Armenia]]n-Ukrainian entrepreneur and politician. In 2005-2010, Avakov was the governor of Kharkiv oblast. During this period, Patriot of Ukraine was unofficially deputized by Kharkiv police.  Biletsky's gang helped the [[police]] patrol the streets for [[illegal immigrant]]s, and also to combat illegal businesses. Aside from their political activities, they served as enforcers for Avakov's business ventures and reached a significant level of political protection.

The roots of the Azov movement can be found in the Neo-Nazi [[football hooligan|soccer hooligan]] scene of [[Kharkiv]]. Andrei Biletsky was the central figure of the nascent movement for the longest time. A Kharkiv native, he joined numerous nationalist organizations, for example the Lviv-based “Tryzub”.  He also actively supported the Kharkiv cell of the [[Social-National Party of Ukraine]], now renamed Svoboda. In 2006, Biletsky founded Patriot of Ukraine, a nationalist organization that engaged in street violence and [[terrorism]].  Biletsky's patron during this period was [[Arsen Avakov]], an [[Armenia]]n-Ukrainian entrepreneur and politician. In 2005–2010, Avakov was the governor of Kharkiv oblast. During this period, Patriot of Ukraine was unofficially deputized by Kharkiv police.  Biletsky's gang helped the [[police]] patrol the streets for [[illegal immigrant]]s, and also to combat illegal businesses. Aside from their political activities, they served as enforcers for Avakov's business ventures and reached a significant level of political protection.

In 2011, Biletsky and several of his comrades were arrested for organized robbery; in early 2014, Avakov became Minister of the Interior after the [[Euromaidan coup]] and had them released from prison.  The relationship with the hooligans continued. Russian Neo-Nazi Sergei Korotkikh aka “Botsman” is a personal friend of Avakov's son. Botsman also leads a separate Azov unit, the “Botsman Boys”.

In 2011, Biletsky and several of his comrades were arrested for organized robbery; in early 2014, Avakov became Minister of the Interior after the [[Euromaidan coup]] and had them released from prison.  The relationship with the hooligans continued. Russian Neo-Nazi Sergei Korotkikh aka “Botsman” is a personal friend of Avakov's son. Botsman also leads a separate Azov unit, the “Botsman Boys”.

On the rare occasion that Western media refers to the ideology of the Azov units and the presence of other fascist groups such as [[C14]], Pravy Sektor and [[Svoboda]], it claims they have minimal impact on the politics of the Ukraine, pointing to their weak electoral performances. What they fail to point out, is that the mainstream’ parties are implementing policies that the fascists support. A leader of the fascist group C14, Yevhen Karas, described the 2014 Maidan coup as a ‘victory of nationalist ideas’. He went on to assert that without the influence of fascist groups, the Maidan coup would have been nothing but a ‘[[Gay pride|gay parade]]’.

On the rare occasion that Western media refers to the ideology of the Azov units and the presence of other fascist groups such as [[C14]], Pravy Sektor and [[Svoboda]], it claims they have minimal impact on the politics of the Ukraine, pointing to their weak electoral performances. What they fail to point out, is that the mainstream’ parties are implementing policies that the fascists support. A leader of the fascist group C14, Yevhen Karas, described the 2014 Maidan coup as a ‘victory of nationalist ideas’. He went on to assert that without the influence of fascist groups, the Maidan coup would have been nothing but a ‘[[Gay pride|gay parade]]’.

According to so-called liberal democracies, even though there might be bad Nazis, there are also good fascists, whose adherence to Nazism is just an ideological quirk. Obviously, those who are on NATO's side are the good Nazis. And it’s the Collective West that always gets to decide who is who.

According to so-called liberal democracies, even though there might be bad Nazis, there are also good fascists, whose adherence to Nazism is just an ideological quirk. Obviously, those who are on NATO's side are the good Nazis. And it's the Collective West that always gets to decide who is who.

Western media coverage of the air strike at a railway station in Kramatorsk that killed over fifty people and injured more than one hundred were initially widely reported, with images on front pages across the Western media. However, within forty-eight hours the story had disappeared and barely received a mention. This was due to an Italian news team identifying one of the missiles as being of the type used by Ukrainian forces. The narrative of Ukrainians killing civilians obviously didn’t fit into the propaganda of the Collective West, and consequently, the dead and injured found instant irrelevance.

Western media coverage of the air strike at a railway station in Kramatorsk that killed over fifty people and injured more than one hundred were initially widely reported, with images on front pages across the Western media. However, within forty-eight hours the story had disappeared and barely received a mention. This was due to an Italian news team identifying one of the missiles as being of the type used by Ukrainian forces. The narrative of Ukrainians killing civilians obviously didn't fit into the propaganda of the Collective West, and consequently, the dead and injured found instant irrelevance.

On May 14, 2022 an 18 year old man in [[Buffalo, New York]] shot and killed 10 civilians at a supermarket. The shooter left behind a manifesto ornamented with the Azov Battalion Black Sun logo and highly critical of opponents of US support for the Ukrainian regime.

On May 14, 2022, an 18-year-old man in [[Buffalo, New York]] shot and killed 10 civilians at a supermarket. The shooter left behind a manifesto ornamented with the Azov Battalion Black Sun logo and highly critical of opponents of US support for the Ukrainian regime.

===Cult-like religion===

===Cult-like religion===

The Azov Battalion began as a volunteer formation in May 2014 shortly after the U.S.-backed Maidan coup, and in late 2014 was brought within the Ukrainian National Guard by the Maidan regime, and in 2015 became a regiment.  From the outset it aroused considerable attention, including abroad, due to the pronounced [[neo-Nazi]] views of its leaders and members.  

The Azov Battalion began as a volunteer formation in May 2014 shortly after the U.S.-backed Maidan coup, and in late 2014 was brought within the Ukrainian National Guard by the Maidan regime, and in 2015 became a regiment.  From the outset it aroused considerable attention, including abroad, due to the pronounced [[neo-Nazi]] views of its leaders and members.  

Real concern arose at the parliamentary elections in October 2014, with a number of leaders of volunteer battalions, including Andriy Biletsky and Ihor Mosiychuk from the Azov Battalion standing for election.  After months of war against the [[Donetsk]] and [[Luhansk]] independent republics, any person seen as a Ukrainian military hero was effectively guaranteed a seat in parliament.  This was the case with both Mosiychuk and Biletsky.  Mosiychuk’s parliamentary career has been filled with scandal, and he is currently facing criminal charges.  Biletsky said "Ukraine's mission is to lead the white races of the world in a final crusade against [[Semite]]-led Untermenschen (subhumans)",<ref>https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/fighting-russia-takes-focus-off-azov-battalions-nazi-roots-x07lkjl7r</ref> echoing the words of [[Heinrich Himmler]],

Real concern arose at the parliamentary elections in October 2014, with a number of leaders of volunteer battalions, including Andriy Biletsky and Ihor Mosiychuk from the Azov Battalion standing for election.  After months of war against the [[Donetsk]] and [[Luhansk]] independent republics, any person seen as a Ukrainian military hero was effectively guaranteed a seat in parliament.  This was the case with both Mosiychuk and Biletsky.  Mosiychuk's parliamentary career has been filled with scandal, and he is currently facing criminal charges.  Biletsky said "Ukraine's mission is to lead the white races of the world in a final crusade against [[Semite]]-led Untermenschen (subhumans)",<ref>https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/fighting-russia-takes-focus-off-azov-battalions-nazi-roots-x07lkjl7r</ref> echoing the words of [[Heinrich Himmler]],

{{quotebox-float|"As long as there have been men on the earth, the struggle between man and the subhuman will be the historic rule; the Jewish-led struggle against the mankind, as far back as we can look, is part of  the natural course of life on our planet. One can be convinced with full certainty that this struggle for life and death is just as much a law of nature as is the struggle of an infection to corrupt a healthy body."<ref>http://www.holocaustresearchproject.org/holoprelude/deruntermensch.html</ref>}}

{{quotebox-float|"As long as there have been men on the earth, the struggle between man and the subhuman will be the historic rule; the Jewish-led struggle against the mankind, as far back as we can look, is part of  the natural course of life on our planet. One can be convinced with full certainty that this struggle for life and death is just as much a law of nature as is the struggle of an infection to corrupt a healthy body."<ref>http://www.holocaustresearchproject.org/holoprelude/deruntermensch.html</ref>}}

Given the alleged collaboration in Bila Tskerkva, it is perhaps of relevance that Vadim Troyan, Deputy Commander of Azov and, like Biletsky, a former member of the neo-Nazi ‘Patriot of Ukraine’, was appointed Head of the Kyiv Regional Police in November 2014.  

Given the alleged collaboration in Bila Tskerkva, it is perhaps of relevance that Vadim Troyan, Deputy Commander of Azov and, like Biletsky, a former member of the neo-Nazi ‘Patriot of Ukraine’, was appointed Head of the Kyiv Regional Police in November 2014.  

As well as questionable activities during the [[Crimean Annexation]], Azov Battalion activists have been accused of involvement in a [[racist]] attack on football fans during the Champions League football match in Kyiv on October 20, 2015 and it was their aggression and threats that prevented a remembrance gathering on January 19, 2016 for slain anti-fascist and anti-Maidan lawyer Stanislav Markelov and journalist Anastasia Baburova.  

As well as questionable activities during the [[Crimean Annexation]], Azov Battalion activists have been accused of involvement in a [[racist]] attack on football fans during the Champions League football match in Kyiv on October 20, 2015, and it was their aggression and threats that prevented a remembrance gathering on January 19, 2016, for slain anti-fascist and anti-Maidan lawyer Stanislav Markelov and journalist Anastasia Baburova.  

In 2018, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a provision blocking any training of Azov members by American forces, citing its neo-Nazi connections.  The House had previously passed amendments banning support of Azov between 2014 and 2017, but due to pressure from the [[Pentagon]], the amendments were quietly lifted.  This was protested by the [[Simon Wiesenthal]] Center which stated that lifting the ban highlighted the danger of [[Holocaust]] distortion in Ukraine.<ref>https://archive.ph/g7a9V</ref>  NATO by-passed the congressional action by training Azov fighters in Canada. Congress later rescinded the prohibition.

In 2018, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a provision blocking any training of Azov members by American forces, citing its neo-Nazi connections.  The House had previously passed amendments banning support of Azov between 2014 and 2017, but due to pressure from the [[Pentagon]], the amendments were quietly lifted.  This was protested by the [[Simon Wiesenthal]] Center which stated that lifting the ban highlighted the danger of [[Holocaust]] distortion in Ukraine.<ref>https://archive.ph/g7a9V</ref>  NATO by-passed the congressional action by training Azov fighters in Canada. Congress later rescinded the prohibition.

To by-pass American law, NATO trained the Azov Nazis in [[Canada]].

To by-pass American law, NATO trained the Azov Nazis in [[Canada]].

In March 2016 retired Canadian soldier Oksana Kuzyshyn spoke at an event titled “A Canadian’s experience training the AZOV Battalion to NATO standards”.<ref>https://ucpbacalgary.ca/event/march-31-2016-one-canadians-experience-training-the-azov-batallion-to-nato-standards/</ref>  One month earlier “nearly 200 officer cadets and professors of Canada’s Royal Military College” attended a screening of Ukrainians/Les Ukrainiens: God’s Volunteer Battalion, which praised fascist militias fighting in the [[Donbas]].<ref>https://ucpbacalgary.ca/event/march-31-2016-one-canadians-experience-training-the-azov-batallion-to-nato-standards/</ref>

In March 2016 retired Canadian soldier Oksana Kuzyshyn spoke at an event titled “A Canadian’s experience training the AZOV Battalion to NATO standards”.<ref>https://ucpbacalgary.ca/event/march-31-2016-one-canadians-experience-training-the-azov-batallion-to-nato-standards/</ref>  One month earlier “nearly 200 officer cadets and professors of Canada’s Royal Military College” attended a screening of Ukrainians/Les Ukrainiens: God's Volunteer Battalion, which praised fascist militias fighting in the [[Donbas]].<ref>https://ucpbacalgary.ca/event/march-31-2016-one-canadians-experience-training-the-azov-batallion-to-nato-standards/</ref>

On November 9, 2021, ''Ottawa Citizen'' military reporter David Pugliese revealed that when [[Canadian]] military officials met with the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion in June 2018, they knew the group used the Nazi “Wolfsangel” symbol and praised officials who helped slaughter [[Jews]] and [[Polish|Poles]] during World War II. “A year before the meeting,” reports Pugliese, "Canada’s Joint Task Force Ukraine produced a briefing on the Azov Battalion, acknowledging its links to Nazi ideology."<ref>https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/canadian-officials-who-met-with-ukrainian-unit-linked-to-neo-nazis-feared-exposure-by-news-media-documents</ref>  Rather than express public disagreement with their views, Canadian military officials sought to manage any potential public relations fallout from at least two meetings, which included Azov representatives boasting about their Canadian support.

On November 9, 2021, ''Ottawa Citizen'' military reporter David Pugliese revealed that when [[Canadian]] military officials met with the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion in June 2018, they knew the group used the Nazi “Wolfsangel” symbol and praised officials who helped slaughter [[Jews]] and [[Polish|Poles]] during World War II. “A year before the meeting,” reports Pugliese, "Canada’s Joint Task Force Ukraine produced a briefing on the Azov Battalion, acknowledging its links to Nazi ideology."<ref>https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/canadian-officials-who-met-with-ukrainian-unit-linked-to-neo-nazis-feared-exposure-by-news-media-documents</ref>  Rather than express public disagreement with their views, Canadian military officials sought to manage any potential public relations fallout from at least two meetings, which included Azov representatives boasting about their Canadian support.

Alongside the U.S., Canada has funded, equipped and trained the neo-Nazi infiltrated National Police of Ukraine (NPU), which was founded after the democratically Yanukovych was overthrown. A former deputy commander of the Azov Battalion, Vadim Troyan had a series of senior positions in the NPU, including acting chief.<ref>https://yvesengler.com/2020/03/01/neo-nazis-arrest-highlights-ottawas-support-for-ukrainian-far-right/</ref>

Alongside the U.S., Canada has funded, equipped and trained the neo-Nazi infiltrated National Police of Ukraine (NPU), which was founded after the democratically Yanukovych was overthrown. A former deputy commander of the Azov Battalion, Vadim Troyan had a series of senior positions in the NPU, including acting chief.<ref>https://yvesengler.com/2020/03/01/neo-nazis-arrest-highlights-ottawas-support-for-ukrainian-far-right/</ref>

To a large extent governments of Canada and the [[United States]] view Ukraine as a proxy to weaken Russia. As part of this geopolitical competition, they’ve backed neo-Nazi militia members fighting the independent [[Donbas]] republics.<ref>https://mronline.org/2021/11/13/military-knows-it-looks-bad-but-works-with-neo-nazis-anyway/</ref>

To a large extent governments of Canada and the [[United States]] view Ukraine as a proxy to weaken Russia. As part of this geopolitical competition, they've backed neo-Nazi militia members fighting the independent [[Donbas]] republics.<ref>https://mronline.org/2021/11/13/military-knows-it-looks-bad-but-works-with-neo-nazis-anyway/</ref>

===Bucha massacre===

===Bucha massacre===

{{See also|Ukrainian propaganda war#Bucha massacre}}

{{See also|Ukrainian propaganda war#Bucha massacre}}

Joe Lauria of Consortium News reported that ''The New York Times'' was in Bucha, Ukraine on April 2, 2022 and did not report a massacre.<ref>https://consortiumnews.com/2022/04/04/questions-abound-about-bucha-massacre/</ref> Instead, the ''Times'' confirmed the Russian withdrawal was completed two days after the mayor of Bucha said it was, and that the Russians left “behind them dead soldiers and burned vehicles, according to witnesses, Ukrainian officials, satellite images and military analysts.”  The ''Times'' said reporters found the bodies of six civilians. “It was unclear under what circumstances they had died, but the discarded packaging of a Russian military ration was lying beside one man who had been shot in the head,” the paper said.  In Bucha, the ''Times'' was close to the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion, whose soldiers appear in the newspaper’s photographs. 'The ''Times'' suggests that Azov may responsible for the killings:

Joe Lauria of Consortium News reported that ''The New York Times'' was in Bucha, Ukraine on April 2, 2022, and did not report a massacre.<ref>https://consortiumnews.com/2022/04/04/questions-abound-about-bucha-massacre/</ref> Instead, the ''Times'' confirmed the Russian withdrawal was completed two days after the mayor of Bucha said it was, and that the Russians left “behind them dead soldiers and burned vehicles, according to witnesses, Ukrainian officials, satellite images and military analysts.”  The ''Times'' said reporters found the bodies of six civilians. “It was unclear under what circumstances they had died, but the discarded packaging of a Russian military ration was lying beside one man who had been shot in the head,” the paper said.  In Bucha, the ''Times'' was close to the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion, whose soldiers appear in the newspaper's photographs. 'The ''Times'' suggests that Azov may responsible for the killings:

{{quotebox-float|“Something very interesting then happens on [Saturday] 2 April, hours before a massacre is brought to the attention of the national and international media. The US and EU-funded Gorshenin Institute online [Ukrainian language] site Left Bank announced that:

{{quotebox-float|“Something very interesting then happens on [Saturday] 2 April, hours before a massacre is brought to the attention of the national and international media. The US and EU-funded Gorshenin Institute online [Ukrainian language] site Left Bank announced that:

{{See also|Battle of Mariupol}}

{{See also|Battle of Mariupol}}

[[File:Azov in Mariupol.PNG|right|350px|thumb|Nazi checkpoint in Mariupol.]]

[[File:Azov in Mariupol.PNG|right|350px|thumb|Nazi checkpoint in Mariupol.]]

On March 26, 2022 two officers of the main department of external security of the Ministry of Defense of the [[French Republic]] (DGSE) flying by helicopter were shot down by [[Russian]] forces while on a mission to withdraw fighters from the Battle of Mariupol.<ref>https://avia--pro-net.translate.goog/news/na-ukraine-sbit-vertolyot-s-oficerami-francuzskoy-razvedki-dgse</ref>  The two were immediately taken prisoner by the Russians.  According to reports by both a Russian and Ukrainian source, French soldiers from the Special Operations Command were in Mariupol side by side with the Azov Nazis.  Troops attached to the Special Operations Command are under the orders of Chief of the Defense Staff, General Thierry Burkhard, but they receive their orders directly from the Chief of the Armed Forces, President Emmanuel Macron.  On March 31, 2022, General Eric Vidaud, the head of the Direction of Military Intelligence (DRM), was fired.<ref>https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/03/31/frances-intelligence-chief-failed-predict-invasion-step-immediately/</ref>

On March 26, 2022, two officers of the main department of external security of the Ministry of Defense of the [[French Republic]] (DGSE) flying by helicopter were shot down by [[Russian]] forces while on a mission to withdraw fighters from the Battle of Mariupol.<ref>https://avia--pro-net.translate.goog/news/na-ukraine-sbit-vertolyot-s-oficerami-francuzskoy-razvedki-dgse</ref>  The two were immediately taken prisoner by the Russians.  According to reports by both a Russian and Ukrainian source, French soldiers from the Special Operations Command were in Mariupol side by side with the Azov Nazis.  Troops attached to the Special Operations Command are under the orders of Chief of the Defense Staff, General Thierry Burkhard, but they receive their orders directly from the Chief of the Armed Forces, President Emmanuel Macron.  On March 31, 2022, General Eric Vidaud, the head of the Direction of Military Intelligence (DRM), was fired.<ref>https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/03/31/frances-intelligence-chief-failed-predict-invasion-step-immediately/</ref>

Public broadcaster France-Télévision presented a report on during the France-2 evening news, on March 31, 2022.<ref>https://www.voltairenet.org/article216354.html?id_article=216354#social</ref> The report acknowledged that the Azov Battalion consisted of neo-Nazi elements since 2014, singling out one of its founders, [[Andriy Biletsky]], but insisted that it had evolved into a respectable defense force. However, France-2 omitted to mention its other founder, [[Dmytro Yarosh]], who during the Russia-Ukraine war was Adviser to the [[Commander-in-Chief]] of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

Public broadcaster France-Télévision presented a report on during the France-2 evening news, on March 31, 2022.<ref>https://www.voltairenet.org/article216354.html?id_article=216354#social</ref> The report acknowledged that the Azov Battalion consisted of neo-Nazi elements since 2014, singling out one of its founders, [[Andriy Biletsky]], but insisted that it had evolved into a respectable defense force. However, France-2 omitted to mention its other founder, [[Dmytro Yarosh]], who during the Russia-Ukraine war was Adviser to the [[Commander-in-Chief]] of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

As of May 9, 2022, roughly 1,000 people, civilian and military, were reported to have been evacuated from Azovstal under the plan negotiated by UN General Secretary António Guterres and evacuations ended, leaving about 500 deadenders in the bunkers below.  Humanitarian corridors were closed.  On May 16 ''[[RT]]'' reported over 300 Azovstal holdouts surrendered.<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/lONiVlqpXJJ7/</ref>

As of May 9, 2022, roughly 1,000 people, civilian and military, were reported to have been evacuated from Azovstal under the plan negotiated by UN General Secretary António Guterres and evacuations ended, leaving about 500 deadenders in the bunkers below.  Humanitarian corridors were closed.  On May 16 ''[[RT]]'' reported over 300 Azovstal holdouts surrendered.<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/lONiVlqpXJJ7/</ref>

On May 17, 2022 all fighting in Mariupol and within the confines of the massive Azovstal steel plant came to an end when liberating forces were able to shut off the water supply.  Mass surrenders began, with 55 seriously wounded (ambulatory) taken immediately east to the Novoazovsk hospital in Donetsk, another 221 people were sent north to the Elenovka POW camp in Donetsk.   

On May 17, 2022, all fighting in Mariupol and within the confines of the massive Azovstal steel plant came to an end when liberating forces were able to shut off the water supply.  Mass surrenders began, with 55 seriously wounded (ambulatory) taken immediately east to the Novoazovsk hospital in Donetsk, another 221 people were sent north to the Elenovka POW camp in Donetsk.   

In Elenovka, interrogation of Ukrainian prisoners of war, some of whom have [[criminal]] cases (e.g., for abuse/torture or killing of civilians, or of rebel captives) opened in Russia for years.  Among the Ukrainian military who surrendered, 144 people are fighters of the Interior Ministry's National Guard, of which the Azov Battalion is part. The [[Kremlin]] reportedly refused to exchange Nazi members of the Azov regiment as they committed numerous war crimes. The exchange of other servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine however can be negotiated.

In Elenovka, interrogation of Ukrainian prisoners of war, some of whom have [[criminal]] cases (e.g., for abuse/torture or killing of civilians, or of rebel captives) opened in Russia for years.  Among the Ukrainian military who surrendered, 144 people are fighters of the Interior Ministry's National Guard, of which the Azov Battalion is part. The [[Kremlin]] reportedly refused to exchange Nazi members of the Azov regiment as they committed numerous war crimes. The exchange of other servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine however can be negotiated.

===Elenovka strike===

===Elenovka strike===

[[File:Elenovka.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Elenovka POW camp.]]

[[File:Elenovka.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Elenovka POW camp.]]

On July 29, 2022 ''Reuters'' reported the prisoner-of-war camp at Elenovka was hit by a U.S.-built [[HIMAR]], causing the deaths of 40 prisoners and 13 guards and prison employees.<ref>https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-40-ukrainian-pows-killed-by-ukrainian-missile-strike-donetsk-prison-2022-07-29/</ref>  At least one hundred other prisoners were injured.  Sources reported that captured Ukrainian prisoners-of-war were giving up much critical information on U.S./Ukraine/NATO operations and illegal weapon's transfers, including arms to [[Kurdish]] [[terrorist]]s in [[Syria]] to be used against NATO member [[Turkiye]].<ref> https://youtu.be/I9mKoOLSvmc</ref>  Ukraine forces on the battlefield attempting to surrender have been documented to have been executed by Ukrainian commanders.  A bill was introduced into the Ukrainian parliament granting legal authority to Ukrainian commanders to execute Ukrainian soldiers who wanted to surrender.  Morale was reported to have fallen in recent weeks among Azov Battalion detainees as they realized the Kyiv regime was not negotiating for their exchange for Russian POWs.

On July 29, 2022 ''Reuters'' reported the prisoner-of-war camp at Elenovka was hit by a U.S.-built [[HIMAR]], causing the deaths of 40 prisoners and 13 guards and prison employees.<ref>https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-40-ukrainian-pows-killed-by-ukrainian-missile-strike-donetsk-prison-2022-07-29/</ref>  At least one hundred other prisoners were injured.  Sources reported that captured Ukrainian prisoners-of-war were giving up much critical information on U.S./Ukraine/NATO operations and illegal weapon's transfers, including arms to [[Kurdish]] [[terrorist]]s in [[Syria]] to be used against NATO member [[Turkiye]].<ref>https://youtu.be/I9mKoOLSvmc</ref>  Ukraine forces on the battlefield attempting to surrender have been documented to have been executed by Ukrainian commanders.  A bill was introduced into the Ukrainian parliament granting legal authority to Ukrainian commanders to execute Ukrainian soldiers who wanted to surrender.  Morale was reported to have fallen in recent weeks among Azov Battalion detainees as they realized the Kyiv regime was not negotiating for their exchange for Russian POWs.

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