Posted on 03/16/2022 3:41:21 PM PDT by FarCenter
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Azov headquarters in Mariupol
It is also where the Azov Battalion, which is part of the Ukrainian National Guard and thus subordinate to the Interior Ministry, has set up its headquarters. Its fighters are well trained, but the unit is controversial because it is composed of nationalists and far-right radicals. Its very existence is one of the pretexts Russia has used for its war against Ukraine.
Initially, Azov was a volunteer militia that formed in the city of Berdyansk to support the Ukrainian army in its fight against pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Some of its fighters came from the small but active far-right group Pravyi sektor (Right Sector), whose core members were from eastern Ukraine and spoke Russian. Originally, they had even advocated the unity of East Slavic peoples: Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians. Some were soccer ultras, others were active in nationalist circles. "In Germany," says Andreas Umland from the Stockholm Center for Eastern European Studies, these groups would be described as free comradeships" which are organized neo-Nazi groups.
Far-right connotations
Umland told DW that Azov had been controversial from the outset because of its emblem, which bears the Wolfsangel symbol. "The Wolfsangel has far-right connotations, it is a pagan symbol that the SS also used," said Umland. "But it is not considered a fascist symbol by the population in Ukraine."
The Azov Regiment wants the symbol from the Nazi era to be understood as stylized versions of the letters N and I, standing for "national idea."
(Excerpt) Read more at dw.com ...
“There may be some small groups that had formerly had ties or members in the ‘far right’ that have been purged or reformed.”
Feel free to try to rewrite history and what’s now going on, but I’ll trust German TV before anyone here:
https://www.dw.com/en/the-azov-battalion-extremists-defending-mariupol/a-61151151
They are not nice people. Then again, neither are the Russians.
I think the Drama Theater strike in Mariupol was a direct reprisal for the death of the fourth Russian general killed in this war. He was killed in Mariupol.
Talk about Nazis - this is the same tactic employed by the Nazis in all occupied territories. If the resistance kills one of our generals, we will kill a boatload of innocent civilians.
The Theater had the word “Children” written in the yard on both sides, visible from the air.
When Putin learned of the death of his general in that town, he took reprisals on the citizens.
Now, who are the Nazis in this war?
By your standards the US should be invaded because actual neonazis are protected by the 1st amendment. I’m pretty sure you could find some freepers with racist beliefs. I guess that means this place needs to be shut down too.
“By your standards the US should be invaded because actual neonazis are protected by the 1st amendment.”
Who in the government is using them to terrorize people?
Nobody believes you.
Right wing advocates believe in small government, states rights, with reasonably controlled freedoms.
Nazi advocates believe in large autocratic government with restricted freedoms strictly enforced.
completely opposite from one another
I doubt the Russians are holding back.
The big issue is they underestimated the effect of the thousands of anti-tank weapons sent to Ukraine.
That, the mud and the sheer size of Ukraine as the largest all European country is the reason for the slow advances and losses.
Azov is absolutely NAZI. Even their symbols trace directly to the 3rd Reich. It’s all over the net.
But the “Putin Bad” crowd of Soros fluffers will say it’s “Russian Disinformation!”tm
Yes, but the entire Western world is writing hagiographies about one side while demonizing the other, and about ready to kick of WW3 over the whole mess.
That observation should make you think a little about the way in which "nazi" gets thrown around.
Consider that the truckers protesting in Canada were also called Nazis, and yet Canadians still let them haul all of their food, oil, merchandise, etc.
Consider that you are reading and posting on a website considered by leftists to be a group of white supremacist neo-nazi Trump supporters. Are you any of those except perhaps a Trump supporter?
Consider that it doesn't make sense for some supposedly Neo-Nazi group to be fighting under the command of a Jewish man.
Perhaps the simple explanation is that Russian propagandists try to dehumanize anyone who fights against them.
“It’s odd to come on a Conservative American forum and see all of this Putin Fellating. I never thought I would see the day.
I’ve made my last donation.”
1. Is that you, Mitt Romney?
2. Don’t let the door hit ya.
Ukrainian army was composed of about 250,000 men of which about half are ethnic Russians.
And what group would that be?
“That’s why their soldiers have been dying stuck on roads not going in any further so as not to hurt civilians. If they had wanted to, this would have been over in a couple of days.
I am completely shocked that so many on FR have been so gullible to fall for this Russia Russia Russia crap instigated by the left. It’s brought the world to the brink and we haven’t stepped back yet.”
+100
"But it is not considered a fascist symbol by the population in Ukraine."
Because in Ukraine, they are just seen as Nationalists. Like Trump. I remember when plenty of freepers posted "I am a Nationalist" when Trump was being painted with that "slur". Obviously, someone who believes in Globalism hates Nationalism. Not that Nationalists cannot be used as tools by Globalists, but Globalists typically paint Nationalists as "Nazis".
Note that the Polish people, once a target of Ukraine Nationalists, are now among their closest friends and allies. Jews were also among their targets, but now the have a Jewish President and Mayor of their capital. Of course, electing a black president didn't stop the left from calling Americans "White Nationalists", aka Nazis.
Would you stop blaming Russians for ww2. Repeat after me ‘It was @ucking Hitler’
“And what group would that be? “
Are you really that uninformed? Explains a lot.
“I doubt Russia is holding back”
The certainty are, and it makes sense:
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