NATO Directorate Warned Azov Remained ‘Fanatics.’ Recruits Acquired Canadian-Made Rifles. ‘It’s true that Azov was brought into the National Guard of Ukraine, but they are fanatics.’

readthemaple.com ^ | January 4, 2024 | Alex Cosh

[ransomnote]

[H/T JonPreston]

Excerpted:

SNIP

The ‘Azov Debate’

Azov Regiment has been a point of heated debate since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Critics of the unit point to its ongoing use of Nazi symbols, and evidence of continuing links to Andrey Biletsky, a white supremacist, Azov founder and leader of the far-right National Corps political party. Until Russia launched its invasion, extensive reporting from Western media outlets documented comments from Azov commanders and members who openly endorsed neo-Nazi ideas.

Those who defend Azov, including some Western news outlets and opinion writers, claim that since it was integrated into Ukraine’s national guard in 2014, the regiment has been gradually deradicalized and today functions as an ordinary military unit. Focusing on the group’s neo-Nazi origins, they argue, lends credence to Russia’s claim that its invasion of Ukraine was necessary because the country was overrun with fascists and needed to be “de-Nazified.”

Last year, The Maple found that major Canadian news outlets adopted this position during the spring of 2022, when Azov fighters were engaged in an intensive battle against Russian forces in Azovstal. At this time, news stories began suggesting that the group’s Nazi ideology was consigned to its past, or the publications glossed over the issue entirely. 

This culminated in a profile published by The Globe and Mail in August 2022 that critics said whitewashed Azov’s ongoing neo-Nazism and functioned as a piece of far-right propaganda, regardless of the reporter’s intent. The Globe reporter wrote that Azov “has a history of far-right leanings but is now part of the Ukrainian army.”

Writing in The Nation last June, The Forward correspondent Lev Golinkin accused Western media of whitewashing the neo-Nazi unit.

“This overnight normalization of white supremacy was possible because Western institutions, driven by a zeal to ignore anything negative about our Ukrainian allies, decided that a neo-Nazi military formation in a war-torn nation had suddenly and miraculously stopped being neo-Nazi,” he wrote.

“But the truth is that this is an easily debunked fantasy spun out by a handful of propagandists.”

MORE AT LINK

[BobL]

Yep, unlike Zelensky who brings them into his government.

[ought-six]

Since you guys are so fixated on Ukrainian “Nazis” and Putin’s stated goal of removing them as one of the reasons for his 2022 re-invasion of Ukraine, below is a report by Fact Check you might find interesting. It kind of puts the “de-nazification” claim in perspective.

Just sayin’.

https://www.factcheck.org/2022/03/the-facts-on-de-nazifying-ukraine/

[ransomnote]

 

In the General/Chat forum, on a thread titled NATO Directorate Warned Azov Remained ‘Fanatics.’ Recruits Acquired Canadian-Made Rifles. ‘It’s true that Azov was brought into the National Guard of Ukraine, but they are fanatics.’, ought-six wrote:

Since you guys are so fixated on Ukrainian “Nazis” and Putin’s stated goal of removing them as one of the reasons for his 2022 re-invasion of Ukraine, below is a report by Fact Check you might find interesting. It kind of puts the “de-nazification” claim in perspective.

Just sayin’.

https://www.factcheck.org/2022/03/the-facts-on-de-nazifying-ukraine/

Are you really the only one left who doesn't know that FactCheck.org and other so-called 'fact checkers' are paid disinfo? I'll put Covid examples below but just check out factcheck.org and see what they say about Trump. (HINT: They claim there's no evidence of election fraud etc.) University That Funds Biden's Think Tank And Hosts FactCheck.Org Has Contract With BioNTech, Gets Paid For Vaccine Sales And FDA Approvals
	02/09/2022 9:33:36 AM PST · by Golden Eagle · 14 replies The National File ^ | Feb 6, 2022 | Patrick Howley Documents obtained by NATIONAL FILE show that the University of Pennsylvania, which hosts and funds Joe Biden’s think tank called the Penn Biden Center, directly profits from the sale of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Coronavirus vaccines. The University gets more money if more vaccines are sold. The University of Pennsylvania also gets “milestone payments” when the Biden administration’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which represents a massive conflict of interest for Biden. .... NATIONAL FILE’s source explained to us that “UPenn earns massive payments (actual terms confidential, likely in the billions)” from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. .......
EXPOSED: Facebook’s Independent COVID Fact-checker Site FactCheck.org Funded By $1.9 Billion Vaccine Lobby
	10/15/2021 11:06:38 PM PDT · by ransomnote · 25 replies greatgameindia.com ^ | April 28, 2021 | greatgameindia.com ransomnote: You'd think everyone would know by now that 'fact checkers' are owned and operated by the Big Tech censors and their allies. But still, I sometimes get some posting 'Factcheck.org' to me as if I will collapse in shame for posting something that corrupt organization doesn't approve of. A so-called independent fact-checker website FactCheck.org is exposed to be funded by the same $1.9 billion vaccine lobby group that it is supposed to check. The site is a Facebook

 

[ought-six]

I am not at all surprised you got your panties all in a wad.

The FactCheck.org article I linked to was dated March 31, 2022. The bias reviewer allsides.com rated FactCheck.org as “Center” since 2020. It was only within the last few months that it moved FactCheck.org to “Leans Left.” From the allsides.com site: “In August 2023, the AllSides team conducted a Small Group Editorial Review of FactCheck.org in which we moved FactCheck.org’s bias rating from Center to Lean Left.” It says it has MEDIUM confidence in this new rating.

So, when the FactCheck.org article was published in March, 2022 allsides.com had FactCheck.org rated as “Centrist.”

Allsides.com also says that its ratings merely apply to the choice of articles a site chooses to post, and not to their accuracy. Thus, a site can be accurate but biased.

Here are some more articles on the same topic. You can respond with opposing articles to support your side.

https://www.dw.com/en/fact-check-do-vladimir-putins-justifications-for-going-to-war-against-ukraine-add-up/a-60917168

https://theconversation.com/putins-claim-to-rid-ukraine-of-nazis-is-especially-absurd-given-its-history-177959

https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-tries-justifying-ukraine-war-denazification-zelensky-jewish-president-2022-2

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/05/23/russian-neo-nazis-participate-in-denazifying-ukraine-der-spiegel-a77762

https://www.ibtimes.com/neo-nazi-groups-join-russia-war-against-ukraine-putins-denazifying-claims-3518228

https://www.allsides.com/news-source/factcheckorg-media-bias

[BobL]

No one here believes a DAMN THING regarding FactCheck.Org, and you silly trying to pass them off as a credible source.

Why is it so damn DIFFICULT for you guys to ADMIT what has been documented, extensively, for the past decade, which is that the Ukrainian government, military, and society (at least in Western Ukraine) is INFESTED with Nazis?

Do you guys have some problem with Nazis? If so, why are you guys supporting them?

[ransomnote]

In the General/Chat forum, on a thread titled NATO Directorate Warned Azov Remained ‘Fanatics.’ Recruits Acquired Canadian-Made Rifles. ‘It’s true that Azov was brought into the National Guard of Ukraine, but they are fanatics.’, ought-six wrote:

I am not at all surprised you got your panties all in a wad.

The FactCheck.org article I linked to was dated March 31, 2022. The bias reviewer allsides.com rated FactCheck.org as “Center” since 2020. It was only within the last few months that it moved FactCheck.org to “Leans Left.” From the allsides.com site: “In August 2023, the AllSides team conducted a Small Group Editorial Review of FactCheck.org in which we moved FactCheck.org’s bias rating from Center to Lean Left.” It says it has MEDIUM confidence in this new rating.

So, when the FactCheck.org article was published in March, 2022 allsides.com had FactCheck.org rated as “Centrist.”

Allsides.com also says that its ratings merely apply to the choice of articles a site chooses to post, and not to their accuracy. Thus, a site can be accurate but biased.

Here are some more articles on the same topic. You can respond with opposing articles to support your side.

https://www.dw.com/en/fact-check-do-vladimir-putins-justifications-for-going-to-war-against-ukraine-add-up/a-60917168

https://theconversation.com/putins-claim-to-rid-ukraine-of-nazis-is-especially-absurd-given-its-history-177959

https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-tries-justifying-ukraine-war-denazification-zelensky-jewish-president-2022-2

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/05/23/russian-neo-nazis-participate-in-denazifying-ukraine-der-spiegel-a77762

https://www.ibtimes.com/neo-nazi-groups-join-russia-war-against-ukraine-putins-denazifying-claims-3518228

https://www.allsides.com/news-source/factcheckorg-media-bias

I'm not surprised you were unable to respond without referencing 'panties'.

I'm also not surprised you referenced another biased source to back up your original biased source.

Is the Washington Post slightly left of Center? Is the Hill in the Center?How about Newsweek? Unbiased?  Oh, and Reuters...unbiased? That chart below is from your 'allsides.com' source. Check them out sometime - look at how they rate content (i.e., Trump). Oh but you had to know they were biased before you posted.

[ought-six]

“No one here believes a DAMN THING regarding FactCheck.Org, and you silly trying to pass them off as a credible source.”

Nice try.

When the article was written, FactCheck.org was listed as “Centrist.” I know that gives you the vapors, as it goes against your narrative; but the fact remains it was considered not biased to the left or to the right at the time.

“Do you guys have some problem with Nazis? If so, why are you guys supporting them?”

Nazis live rent-free in your head, Bob.

BTW: Have you reserved your space in a Russian bomb shelter yet? I mean, you are on record here on FR looking for such accommodations in case things “get dicey.”

[ought-six]

“Why is it so damn DIFFICULT for you guys to ADMIT what has been documented, extensively, for the past decade, which is that the Ukrainian government, military, and society (at least in Western Ukraine) is INFESTED with Nazis?”

Too funny, kid! You said the Ukrainian government, military, and society are INFESTED (your term, caps and all) with Nazis. Don’t you think — if that were indeed the truth — that such a fact would be roundly condemned across the globe, especially in the US and Israel? But, it hasn’t. Why do you think that is, Bob? Is it, perhaps, because you are FOS?

[ought-six]

Too funny! And this, from you, FR’s resident Q-boi!

As I challenged you in a previous comment, post your articles and sources that support your claim about all these Ukrainian nazis.

Post them, kid; here on this thread; so we can judge for ourselves.

I await your links (and, please, no viruses).

[ransomnote]

You keep forgetting that you are not in control here. I expose the Ukraine for what it is and you try to give me homework assignments because the facts about the ‘Nazi problem’ in the Ukraine are irrefutable. I then ignore your stupid orders and spend my time on content that isn’t as patently provably obvious as neo-Nazis in the Ukrainian National Guard, and the Banderite history you’re trying to pretend doesn’t exist.

[BobL]

“Don’t you think — if that were indeed the truth — that such a fact would be roundly condemned across the globe, especially in the US and Israel? But, it hasn’t. Why do you think that is, Bob?”

Because, my friend, the Ukrainian Nazis are FIGHTING RUSSIANS, which all that the WOMEN who are running US foreign policy care about.

It’s not complicated one bit. And, by the way, Israel told the US to SHOVE IT when the US demanded they join South Korea and most of Europe in disposing of their weapons in Ukraine. And they were SMART, as they were attacked shortly after that.

[BobL]

“Nice try. When the article was written, FactCheck.org was listed as “Centrist.” “

LOL, Now you guys are forced to ‘rehabilitate’ FactCheck while you’re ‘rehabilitating’ the Nazis in Ukraine. Look down when you walk, or you’ll be tripping over your ‘rehabilitations’

And so I guess you guys are now claiming that there is a “Good FactCheck” and a “Bad FactCheck”, along with “Good Nazis” (now infesting Ukraine, but fighting Ruzzians), and “Bad Nazis” (from WW2).

[ought-six]

“You keep forgetting that you are not in control here.”

I never said I was, Q-boi.

“I expose the Ukraine for what it is and you try to give me homework assignments because the facts about the ‘Nazi problem’ in the Ukraine are irrefutable.”

So post your links to support your position, kid. Don’t run a way and hide.

“I then ignore your stupid orders and spend my time on content that isn’t as patently provably obvious as neo-Nazis in the Ukrainian National Guard...”

Nice try, kid. My links CONFIRMED that there were extremists in the AZOV battalion; but they also said that under the circumstances of the Russian invasion those extremists were good fighters opposing the Russian invasion. Russia had and has similar extremists — including the fanatical moslem Chechens — fighting on ITS side. Why are you running from that? And, Russia’s Wagner Group? It took its very name from Hitler’s favorite composer, Richard Wagner!

Come on, Q-boi: Support your claims.

[ought-six]

“Because, my friend, the Ukrainian Nazis are FIGHTING RUSSIANS, which all that the WOMEN who are running US foreign policy care about.”

Nice try, Bob. You guys have been claiming for over a year that the Ukrainian “nazis” were wiped out over a year ago!

“It’s not complicated one bit. And, by the way, Israel told the US to SHOVE IT when the US demanded they join South Korea and most of Europe in disposing of their weapons in Ukraine. And they were SMART, as they were attacked shortly after that.”

Nice strawman, Bob. WTF does that have to do with the topic at hand? If Ukraine was so overrun with Nazis don’t you think Israel would be roundly condemning Ukraine, and aligning itself with your beloved “anti-Nazi” Russia? And, how did Ukraine — a country you claim was and is INFESTED with Nazis — overwhelmingly elect a JEWISH guy as its president?

[ought-six]

Too funny, Bob!

I’m not trying to “rehabilitate” anyone or anything: I’m merely pointing out the facts: At the time the article was published, allsides.com listed FactCheck.org as centrist. I know you don’t like that, Bob; and I know it does not comport with your narrative; but, the facts are what they are.

[ransomnote]

Go find someone obedient willing to take orders from you. I choose how I spend my time and ignore lame demands like yours.

[BobL]

“Nice try, Bob. You guys have been claiming for over a year that the Ukrainian “nazis” were wiped out over a year ago!”

Link please.

[BobL]

You mentioned Israel, not me.

[BobL]

“I’m not trying to “rehabilitate” anyone or anything...”

So adorable!

[ought-six]

Nice try, Q-boi. You can’t provide any links to support your claim, because there are none. You’re a blowhard, Q-boi; and a fantasist, just like your conspiracy-theorist hero.

Or; are YOU QAnon?

The first FR thread you started was on 1/16/2018, and was about…you guessed it! QAnon! And, QAnon was apparently created at the end of October, 2017; just about six weeks before your first thread (which, as I said above, was about QAnon).

Coincidence?

Your ENTIRE thread archive – from January, 2018 to about two weeks ago – or, basically SIX YEARS of threads — is exclusively about Q and “Q Days.”

Coincidence?

If you’re not Q, you could pass as his (or her) press agent or publicist.