Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has dismissed criticisms of the Azov special forces battalion and praised its combat effectiveness.
“Azov special forces units are a legal regular subdivision of the Ukrainian National Guard, and its personnel have been exemplary in performing combat-service tasks of defending the motherland,” Avakov was quoted by his ministry’s press service as telling the United States’ Deputy Chief of Mission Kristina Kvien at their meeting on Oct. 25.
“The information campaign about the alleged spreading of the Nazi ideology among the personnel is a deliberate attempt to discredit the unit, primarily in the minds of Ukraine’s international partners, provoke a crisis in relations with our allies, and weaken our country’s international position,” Avakov said.
“The combat effectiveness of the Azov special forces in protecting the state from military aggression is the true reason for trying to stop it with a different, hybrid method,” the minister said.
Avakov expressed the hope that “the honest and open position of Ukraine and the facts cited will be taken into account by our partners and associates in the struggle to defend democracy. Together we will stand up to these dirty and dangerous methods.”
