White House lifts ban on arms for Ukraine's Azov Brigade

According to media in the United States, the White House has lifted the ban on American arms deliveries to the Azov Brigade, which was put in place six years ago. During the war in Ukraine, the Azov Brigade became famous for defending the Azovstal metallurgical plant in Mariupol.

The U.S. authorities lifted the ban on American arms deliveries to the Ukrainian Azov, reports "The Washington Post", citing a statement from the State Department.

The article noted that Azov underwent a "Leahy review," a procedure named after Senator Patrick Leahy, who wrote statutes regulating military aid to foreign military units and prohibiting deliveries in cases of gross human rights violations.

According to "The Washington Post", lifting the ban was a top priority for Ukrainian officials, who claim Azov could have better defended Azovstal in 2022 if they had access to American arms.

Under the ban, Azov fighters were also prohibited from participating in military training and receiving funds from American sources. American officials claim that these restrictions do not apply because the battalion formed in 2014 is structurally different from the brigade in its current form.

A State Department spokesperson did not say when the ban was lifted or whether American arms have reached Azov personnel.

The Azov Brigade (formerly regiment) is a particular unit, an experienced volunteer force widely regarded as one of the most capable units in Ukraine. It was established in 2014 by far-right activists at the beginning of the separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine.

During the war in Ukraine, the Azov Brigade became known for defending the Azovstal metallurgical plant in Mariupol.

Soldiers from Azov and the 98th Territorial Defense Battalion who survived the battles for Mariupol officially joined the Ukrainian Ground Forces Armed Forces of Ukraine. They became the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, which fought, among other places, near Bakhmut.

The brigade is commanded by Colonel Andriy Biletsky, the first commander of Azov and a Right Sector politician. His deputy is Major Rodion Kudriashov, a longtime Azov soldier.