The Azov-Kyiv («Азов» Київ) unit was a branch of the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Battalions formed by veterans of the Azov Battalion and members of the National Corps party after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, including Andriy Biletsky and Mykola Kravchenko. It later expanded to form the Azov-SSO, which became the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Army.
Due to its formation by National Corps members, Azov-Kyiv could be considered a part of the Azov Movement (see the movement’s page for details).
Azov-Kyiv also reportedly contained a contingent of Belarussian fighters, who later splintered off to form their own unit, the Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment
“In early March 2022, President Zelensky of Ukraine again announced the formation of an “international legion” to facilitate the arrival of pro-Ukrainian foreign fighters. (https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/azov-battalion#_ftn76)
In a similar call to 2014, the Ukrainian government once again encouraged “Territorial Defense Forces” (TDF) to mobilize and help resist the Russian invasion. In early 2022, the TDFs organized into over 25 brigades, localized in each region of Ukraine, including Kyiv. The strategic purpose of the TDFs as a whole is to strengthen the capabilities of local authorities in reacting to Russian attacks. (https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/azov-battalion#_ftn77)
The TDFs consist primarily of light infantry performing auxiliary and support missions behind the frontlines of the war, including guarding infrastructure, and combatting subversion in their local areas of responsibility. The TDFs are composed of a combination of combat veterans, as well as civilians with no prior military experience. Individuals convicted of serious crimes or have at least two criminal convictions are ineligible. (https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/azov-battalion#_ftn78)
In line with this announcement, the Azov Movement established several new military units separate from the National Guard Regiment. First, and most prominently, Azov formed a TDF unit in Kyiv. The Azov Kyiv TDF involved many prominent veterans of the original Azov Battalion and National Guard Regiment who became involved in the National Corps and other Azov Movement structures such as ex-Azov Regiment commander and National Corps chief of staff Maksym Zhorin. (https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/azov-battalion#_ftn79) National Corps’ late deputy secretary for ideology Mykola Kravchenko was also an officer in the unit when he died during the defense of Kyiv. (https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/azov-battalion#_ftn80) A force of expatriate Belarusian combatants, including Azov veterans, also fought as part of the Azov Kyiv TDF before forming the separate Kastus Kalinouski Battalion. (https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/azov-battalion#_ftn81)”
“In May 2022, the Azov Kyiv TDF became incorporated into Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces as the Azov SSO Regiment, which also operates a unit in Kharkiv. (https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/azov-battalion#_ftn86) Its commander, Anatoly Sidorenko was previously chief of staff for the Kharkiv-area Azov Civil Corps. (https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/azov-battalion#_ftn87) The Azov SSO Regiment also announced a similar detachment in Sumy, commanded by Denys Sokur. (https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/azov-battalion#_ftn88) Sokur previously led the National Corps in Sumy. (https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/azov-battalion#_ftn89) The Azov SSO Regiment’s specific unit insignia uses the design of a monument in the National Guard Regiment’s Urzuf base, three golden swords. (https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/azov-battalion#_ftn90) Some news outlets mistakenly reported this represented the Regiment, or Movement as a whole, dropping the Wolfsangel logo completely, rather than as the specific symbol of a new unit. (https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/mappingmilitants/profiles/azov-battalion#_ftn91)”
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