The truth about Neo-Nazis in Ukraine

Russia’s Claims and Ukraine’s Far Right

Freddie Sayers asks UnHerd contributor Aris Roussinos to distinguish Russia’s claim that Ukraine is ruled by Nazis from the presence of far-right groups in the country. Roussinos says the claim that a fascist coup took place in 2014 and that Ukraine has a neo-Nazi government is false. However, he argues that denying any neo-Nazi presence in Ukraine is also inaccurate.

The Azov Movement

Roussinos describes the Azov movement, founded in 2014 by Ukrainian neo-Nazi Andriy Biletsky, as genuinely white-supremacist and ultranationalist. He cites Biletsky’s past racist statements, Azov’s anti-liberal “reconquest of Europe” rhetoric, and symbols associated with Nazism, including the Wolfsangel and the Black Sun.

He says Azov’s neo-pagan beliefs distinguish it from some other Ukrainian far-right groups, which draw on Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Roussinos also says Azov has links to far-right groups abroad, including Russian neo-Nazis opposed to Putin, and that its Kyiv headquarters has served as a hub for international extremist activity. Nazi-associated insignia have appeared in images of Ukrainian soldiers, he adds, while cautioning that photographs alone do not establish an individual’s affiliation.

Political Support and State Support

Ukraine’s far-right parties have performed poorly in elections and, according to Roussinos, lack broad public support. He argues, however, that electoral strength is not the only relevant measure: armed groups such as Azov have received state support and, in his account, substantial weaponry.

Some Western governments previously restricted arms from reaching Azov, but Roussinos says those safeguards appear to have weakened during the war.

Potential Risks

Roussinos says the groups’ effectiveness in combat makes them useful to Ukraine’s defence, but could also create a future danger. If Ukraine’s government accepts territorial losses or a settlement that the groups consider a betrayal, they could challenge the government and threaten the state’s stability. He compares this risk to armed factions rejecting a political settlement.

Estimated Size

Roussinos estimates that Azov had around 2,000 active fighters before the war, while the wider movement may have included up to 20,000 people across political and auxiliary organisations. He stresses that these figures are uncertain and may have changed during the war.

Presenters and Contributors

• Freddie Sayers: Presenter
• Aris Roussinos: Contributor