Far-Right Groups in Russia-Ukraine War

We take a look at far-right factions on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war.

• The Russia-Ukraine war has brought attention to far-right groups and their influence in such conflict situations, especially in our highly connected worlds.
• In Ukraine, the Azov Battalion is a group that came into prominence for fighting pro-Russia separatists in 2014. During the Euromaidan protests, Azov’s volunteers fought with the protestors.
• The Azov Battalion, now part of the National Guard of Ukraine, is believed to have far-right sympathisers. Their regiment’s logo is reminiscent of the Wolfsangel - a Nazi symbol.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin stated denazification as reason to attack Ukraine which is being called Russian propaganda. The Kremlin itself is using far-right mercenaries like the Wagner group.
• Far-right parties got under 2% of the vote in the 2019 Ukrainian election, lower than in many EU states. Yet, analysts warn that far-right entities shouldn’t be ignored completely.
• Terrorism analysts have also noticed an uptick in conversations in neo-Nazi circles, of people wanting to fight in the war for their own ulterior white-supremacist motives.