You're confusing the Azov of 2014 with the current Azov. The Azov in 2014 was a volunteer battalion created out of necessity, the Azov of today is an official part of Ukraine's military and mostly just shares the name of the original.
When Russia first invaded in 2014, Ukraine had fewer than 7,000 combat-ready troops. In order to stop the Russian advance, Ukrainian volunteers of all types were accepted to fight for their homeland, primarily funded by donations from wealthy Ukrainians. One such group was Azov, a volunteer paramilitary militia under the command of Andriy Biletsky, who was indeed a neo-Nazi, and with a significant portion of it composed of Dynamo football fans. At its peak in 2014, it is estimated that 10-20% of the group identified as Nazis. The group proved effective in the early stages when all help was needed.
Six months later Biletsky was removed from its command, the unit was integrated into the Ukrainian National Guard. By the end of 2014, most far-right fighters left the regiment. Those that remained who openly articulated their views were deliberately cleansed by the new regiment command in 2017.
I mean damage control happens from time to time, especially in war and more often when the situation demands. In Syria the former Al-Qaeda wing, the Nusra Front rebranded itself so many times, it is hard to see the difference between its current version in the form of HTS in 2023 and its 2012 version as the Nusra Front for the untrained eye other than the visible leadership under Jolani. Even their tone has now been doctored so much to look like a liberal democratic armed group.
And yes, even under HTS leadership reshuffling of top leadership does happen. HTS for example has expelled HaD (Hurras Ad-Din) fighters and its leadership from its command structure as well. But not one suddenly comes with "AHA" HTS is now no longer a Salafi Jihadi org.
This is why it's important to have a comparator in life and broad knowledge of events in other parts of the world. It helps you see through the fog of war.
It has come to attention for exmaple that Azov fighters still sport Nazi symbols in its attributes, BalkenKreuz which is the insignia on many WW2 German tanks has spotted multiple times in Azov tank units, and its hard not to see that these guys are secretly seeing themselves as the spiritual and operational successor of the Nazis and Wehrmacht of WW2.
Again I'm stressing I have no problem with the Nazis, but the European and American donors will take notice, maybe the situation demands that they don't move now, but who knows, this war seems to endure for long.
If you still think today's Azov consists of Nazis, or if you think Nazi views in Azov are growing, you've fallen for Russian propaganda.
I am the least (Maybe 2nd least) individual who has any appetite for Russian propaganda. You could tell I have little like in Russia based on my constant debate with the likes of blackjack.
But just as much as I disgust Russian propaganda, I have no appetite for Western propaganda as well.
$325 million usd defense package is confirmed. The following will be delivered.
