The Ukrainian neo-Nazi battalion “Azov” participated in the “training and radicalization” of white racists in the United States, according to a recent indictment of several men involved in the violence in Charlottesville.
Four members of the Rise Above Movement “(RAM), referred to by the FBI as a “group of white extremists,” were accused of fomenting unrest after the 2017 violence in Charlottesville and other places. In an affidavit signed by FBI Special Representative Scott Birvir, 28-year-old Robert Rundo is often documented among other activists. It is said that in 2018 he traveled to Germany, Italy and Ukraine.
“Based on my education and experience, I know that the Azov Battalion is a militarized unit of the National Guard of Ukraine, known for its neo-Nazi ideology and use of Nazi symbols, and is considered to be a member of the training of white Suprematic organizations based in the United States, Birvert said.
The Azov battalion was founded as a paramilitary group consisting of right-wing nationalists and is currently part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. It enjoys the protection and support of the Ukrainian government, its former commander Andrei Bilitsky is now a member of the national parliament.