MOSCOW, August 13 (RIA Novosti) - While Ukrainian authorities have been denying their affiliation with neo-fascist movements, similarities between the symbols used by the Kiev-backed forces and those used in Nazi Germany during World War II cannot be overlooked.
AZOV BATTALION
The Azov Battalion is an armed group, with members of the patrol unit of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry. The battalion was formed in May 2014 in the city of Mariupol. The group’s badge bears strong resemblance to the Wolfsangel rune that served as a symbol for the Waffen-SS military forces. The symbol is comprised of Latin letter “I” for “idea” and “N” for “nation”.
The Wolfsangel badge of the Azov Battalion has the so-called “black sun” (“Schwarze Sonne”) in the background painted in white. The “black sun” occult symbol was once adopted by the Third Reich.
One of the Azov Battalion’s badges also has the phrase “Black corps” on it, which is a direct reference to the Waffen-SS official newspaper, titled “Das Schwarze Korps” (“The Black Corps”).
PATRIOTS OF UKRAINE
The Patriots of Ukraine is a nationalist organization whose members are also members of the Azov Battalion. The Patriots of Ukraine’s flag depicts a black Wolfsangel emblem on a yellow background.
DONBASS BATTALION
The Donbass Battalion is a volunteer battalion created in April 2014 to oppose the independence supporters of the Donetsk People’s Republic.
The group’s emblem has an inverted eagle, resembling a trident, with half-spread wings. The same symbol was used by the Wehrmacht forces of Germany from 1935 to 1946. Media reports suggest that the members of the battalion have swastika-shaped tattoos.
NATIONAL GUARD OF UKRAINE
The National Guard of Ukraine is a unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine under the jurisdiction of the Ukrainian Interior ministry that was established on March 12, 2014. The guard’s badge bears signs of a swastika in its decorations.
RIGHT SECTOR
Right Sector is a Ukrainian nationalist movement that originated during the November 2013 Euromaidan protests in Kiev.
The Right Sector political party was created on March 22, 2014 on the basis of the Ukrainian National Assembly. The party’s emblem is also strongly reminiscent of a trident on a red and black background.
The Euromaidan supporters also use the motto “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!” which is a slogan was commonly used by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army and the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists at the time of World War II.
