Putin’s claim that he’s invading to “de-nazify” Ukraine is obviously nonsense since Wagner was literally named for Hitler’s favorite composer but to pretend they don’t have a neo-nazi problem is just ignoring reality.
copied from the Wikipedia page on the Azov-Battalion
“The unit has drawn controversy over its early and allegedly continuing association with far-right groups and neo-Nazi ideology,[13] its use of controversial symbols linked to Nazism, and early allegations that members of the unit participated in human rights violations.[14][15][16] Some experts have been critical of the regiment’s role within the larger Azov Movement, a political umbrella group made up of veterans and organizations linked to Azov, and its possible far-right political ambitions, despite claims of the regiment’s depoliticization.[17][8] Others argue that the regiment has evolved, tempering its neo-Nazi and far-right underpinnings as it became part of the National Guard.[18][19][9] The Azov Regiment has been a recurring theme of Russian propaganda.[20] The unit has been designated a terrorist group by Russia since August 2022.[21]”
Both sides are happy to have Nazis fighting for them, but the war itself doesn’t have anything to do with ideology, it’s a proxy war between Russia and NATO and purely about geopolitics.
What?
Ukraine’s problem with far-right nationalist militias was openly talked about in western media before the Russian invasion
https://archive.li/iNMNq (haaretz)
https://www.npr.org/2019/04/17/714413439/right-wing-groups-are-active-in-ukraine-as-country-heads-into-presidential-elect
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/380483-congress-bans-arms-to-controversial-ukrainian-militia-linked-to-neo-nazis/
Putin’s claim that he’s invading to “de-nazify” Ukraine is obviously nonsense since Wagner was literally named for Hitler’s favorite composer but to pretend they don’t have a neo-nazi problem is just ignoring reality.
copied from the Wikipedia page on the Azov-Battalion
“The unit has drawn controversy over its early and allegedly continuing association with far-right groups and neo-Nazi ideology,[13] its use of controversial symbols linked to Nazism, and early allegations that members of the unit participated in human rights violations.[14][15][16] Some experts have been critical of the regiment’s role within the larger Azov Movement, a political umbrella group made up of veterans and organizations linked to Azov, and its possible far-right political ambitions, despite claims of the regiment’s depoliticization.[17][8] Others argue that the regiment has evolved, tempering its neo-Nazi and far-right underpinnings as it became part of the National Guard.[18][19][9] The Azov Regiment has been a recurring theme of Russian propaganda.[20] The unit has been designated a terrorist group by Russia since August 2022.[21]”
What the other replies said. The Azov battalion is a notorious example.
As for Wagner, you can read about this lovely co-founder on Wikipedia.
Both sides are happy to have Nazis fighting for them, but the war itself doesn’t have anything to do with ideology, it’s a proxy war between Russia and NATO and purely about geopolitics.