US Presidential Administration Joe Baiden will allow the Ukrainian Azov military unit to use American weapons. The decision was made after a thorough inspection by the US Department of the Brigade, which is currently part of the National Guard of Ukraine, reports the American edition of The Washington Post, citing its sources.
According to the publication, earlier the military unit was forbidden to use US weapons more than 10 years ago because of the concern of US officials regarding racist, xenophobic and ultranationalist views of some of the founders. This prohibition was based on the so -called "law of the left", which determined the prohibition of providing military assistance to foreign units that violated human rights. The law was named after the former US senator Patrick Lihi, who initiated it.
"After a thorough verification, the 12th Azov special purpose team has been inspected by the US State Department," the department was stated. The State Department did not find any evidence of violations, according to The Washington Post.
The State Department's representative did not specify a specific term for removing the ban and starting the supply of weapons to the military.
The Azov leadership and the Ukrainian government have not responded to this information.
The Azov battalion was established in May 2014 in Berdyansk as a special purpose patrol service. The first commander was Andrey Biletsky. After the reorganization in September 2014, Azov became a regiment of special purpose of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and later-a detachment of special purpose of the National Guard, and from February 2023-the 12th Brigade of Special Purpose of the National Guard of Ukraine.
In the Russian media, this unit was called "fascist" and "Nazi", which became part of misinformation spread in the West, including some American politicians.
In August 2022, the Russian Federation recognized as a "terrorist organization" and its activities in the country were officially prohibited. According to Russian law, participants in such organizations can be convicted for a period of 10 years and to life imprisonment.
Azov was one of Mariupol's key forces. According to the Azovstal Families Association, as of February 24, 2024, about 900 soldiers were in Russian captivity. Some of them have already been convicted or judged on charges against civilian crimes.
