The US has lifted a ban on providing weapons and training to Ukraine’s Azov Brigade, which had far-right roots but proved key to the defence of the major port city of Mariupol. Azov was absorbed into Ukraine’s national guard as the 12th Special Forces Brigade and current members reject accusations of extremism and ties with far-right movements. US law prohibits providing equipment and training to foreign military units or individuals suspected of committing gross human rights violations. “This is a new page in our unit’s history,” the Azov Brigade said in a statement. Speaking in Madrid recently, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said Ukraine needed another seven Patriot systems to defend against Russian strikes.

Source: The Guardian June 12, 2024 14:45 UTC