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Azov fighters permitted to use American weapons – media

The United States government has lifted its ban on the Ukrainian special forces brigade Azov using American weapons, as reported by The Washington Post, citing the State Department.

The Azov regiment, initially formed by Ukrainian volunteers in 2014, is now integrated into the National Guard as the 12th Special Forces Brigade. Previously, the US prohibited Azov from using American weapons due to allegations that some of its founders held racist, xenophobic, and ultranationalist views, and accusations from UN officials of humanitarian law violations.

The State Department informed The Washington Post that the decision to lift the ban followed an evaluation of the current composition of Azov under the Leahy Law. Authored by former Senator Patrick Leahy, this law restricts the US from providing military aid to groups implicated in human rights abuses.

According to the State Department, no evidence of such violations was found during their review of the 12th Special Forces Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine Azov. The State Department did not disclose the specific timing of the ban’s removal or confirm if Azov members are currently equipped with American weapons.

The Azov fighters gained significant recognition in the spring of 2022 for their courageous defense of Mariupol and the Azovstal steel plant, enduring a nearly three-month siege by Russian forces. Mariupol ultimately fell in May 2022.

Ukrainian authorities have stated that the defense of Azovstal could have been more effective with American weapons. Russia has designated Azov as a terrorist organization.

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