The Russian Supreme Court is examining on Tuesday a request to classify this group of fighters as a terrorist organization. Made famous with the defense of the Azovstal factory in Mariupol, the regiment suffered heavy losses.
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Elevated to the rank of heroes, the fighters of the Azov regiment are considered the spearhead of the Ukrainian army. The surrender at the end of May of a hundred of its members, the last diehards to leave the Azovstal factory, contributed to writing its legend. While pSeveral dozen of its fighters are detained by pro-Russian forces, thehe Russian Supreme Court examines, Tuesday, August 2, a request for classification of the Azov regiment as a terrorist organization.
From the defense of the Mariupol Azovstal factorythe regiment, which suffered heavy losses, reconstituted its troops and swarmed. “Azov was mainly concentrated in Mariupol and kyiv, the capital. But it was necessary, after, in view of the advancement of the Russian army, to deploy”, Explain Adrien Nonjon, Ukraine specialist at Inalco. “As we are in a mass uprising within the Ukrainian population, Azov took advantage of it precisely to increase its forces”.
New recruits were trained to defend Ukrainian territory. Other volunteer formations have been created, according to the researcher. “Azov West and Azov East are special forces which are each attached to a territory. There are some in the center, especially in the Zaporijia region. And then otherwise the bulk of the forces are now turned towards Karkiv to defend the city”.
Accused by Russia of belonging to the neo-Nazi movement, certain battalions newly attached to the Azov regiment highlight the emblem of Ukraine: three swords arranged in the shape of a trident. But on some videos, officers of the regiment continue to wear a crest where the “Wolfsangel”, symbol of the Third Reich, appears.