Talk:Azov Brigade
| This is the talk page for discussing improvements to the Azov Brigade article. This is not a forum for general discussion of the subject of the article. |
Article policies
|
| Find sources: Google (books · news · scholar · free images · WP refs) · FENS · JSTOR · TWL |
| Archives (index): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13Auto-archiving period: 45 days |
| The contentious topics procedure applies to this article. This article relates to the Balkans or Eastern Europe. Editors who repeatedly or seriously fail to adhere to the purpose of Wikipedia, any expected standards of behaviour, or any normal editorial process may be blocked or restricted by an administrator. |
| Wikipedia is not censored. Images or details contained within this article may be graphic or otherwise objectionable to some readers, to ensure a quality article and complete coverage of its subject matter. For more information, please refer to Wikipedia's content disclaimer regarding potentially objectionable content and options for not seeing an image. |
| Discussions on this page have often led to previous arguments being restated, especially about the use of neo-Nazi descriptor in the lede. Please read recent comments, look in the archives, and review the FAQ before commenting on this topic. |
Q1: Why is the Azov Brigade described as having neo-Nazi elements?
A1: The consensus among editors is that the preponderance of reliable sources describe the group as such. For the discussion that led to this consensus, see here (May 2022), and for the previous discussion on the topic see here (July 2021). Q2: Why is the Azov Brigade not described as currently neo-Nazi or far-right?
A2: The consensus among editors is that there is sufficient disagreement among reliable sources about whether this label is currently true, so that Wikipedia should not take a stance but should cover the controversy using sources arguing for both sides. For the most recent discussion that led to this consensus, see here (May 2025). |
| If you came here because someone asked you to, or you read a message on another website, please note that this is not a majority vote, but instead a discussion among Wikipedia contributors. Wikipedia has policies and guidelines regarding the encyclopedia's content, and consensus (agreement) is gauged based on the merits of the arguments, not by counting votes.
However, you are invited to participate and your opinion is welcome. Remember to assume good faith on the part of others and to sign your posts on this page by adding ~~~~ at the end. Note: Comments may be tagged as follows: suspected single-purpose accounts:{{subst:spa|username}}; suspected canvassed users: {{subst:canvassed|username}}; accounts blocked for sockpuppetry: {{subst:csm|username}} or{{subst:csp|sock username|sockmaster username}}. |
| On 11 March 2023, it was proposed that this article be moved from Azov Regiment to Azov Brigade. The result of the discussion was moved. |
| This article is rated B-class on Wikipedia's content assessment scale. It is of interest to multiple WikiProjects. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other talk page banners | |||||
| |||||
“Sham trials”
edit“Sham Trials” section should be removed due to bad sourcing and little relevance. ~2025-41672-26 (talk) 23:51, 18 December 2025 (UTC)
- The title is maybe a bit unencyclopedic, I'd prefer something along the lines of "Treatment of Azov prisoners of war in Russia" which would cover not only the trials themselves but also very real abuse they suffer while imprisoned.
- The sources used in the section seem to be reliable. Which of them do you consider bad? Alaexis¿question? 09:43, 19 December 2025 (UTC)
Denis Kapustin (militant) has an RfC
editDenis Kapustin (militant) has an RfC for possible consensus. A discussion is taking place. If you would like to participate in the discussion, you are invited to add your comments on the discussion page. Thank you. Helpful Cat {talk} 07:19, 31 December 2025 (UTC)
in lead, reduction to "associations" with far-right, reads like soft-pedaling
editNo shortage of RSes indicate that Azov is a far-right group; that the issue is their "association" with far-right groups seems a rather aggressive attempt to downplay, and to distance Azov from the heart of the issue, which is not their "associations" (who?) but Azov themselves. This is paired with a full paragraph nearly about them being at the center of Russian Propaganda. The reader is left to assume this is just part of a bad-faith propaganda argument at worst, and "guilt by association" (fallacious) at best. That's not the issue, Azov's ranks up through leadership have boasted countless neo-Nazis, evidenced by among many other things their tattoos and symbolism employed. How can this be reduced to just a spectacle of guilt by association? ~2026-11443-42 (talk) 15:18, 20 February 2026 (UTC)
- And there is no shortage of RSes indicating it is no longer a far-right group, so since WP:NPOV exists, both views need to be presented. TylerBurden (talk) 15:30, 20 February 2026 (UTC)
- The propaganda is real but I think that this section can be pared down. We can keep scholarly sources while reducing duplication and removing some of the media ones. Alaexis¿question? 15:40, 20 February 2026 (UTC)
- Please read the FAQ; there was an RFC on this just last year. Helpful Cat {talk} 15:42, 20 February 2026 (UTC)
- Lol you guys sound like straight up Nazis. Is this what happened to all my comrades? Back during COVID we used to fight the fascist far right and win. You used to punch Nazis. No you actively cover up their literally fascist past so Raytheon can sell them bombs without bad press. Wow ~2026-26999-50 (talk) 13:14, 4 May 2026 (UTC)
- You need to read wp:npa and wp:soap. Slatersteven (talk) 13:18, 4 May 2026 (UTC)
- Lol you guys sound like straight up Nazis. Is this what happened to all my comrades? Back during COVID we used to fight the fascist far right and win. You used to punch Nazis. No you actively cover up their literally fascist past so Raytheon can sell them bombs without bad press. Wow ~2026-26999-50 (talk) 13:14, 4 May 2026 (UTC)
Extended-confirmed-protected edit request on 25 March 2026
editThis edit request has been answered. Set the |answered= parameter to no to reactivate your request. |
In the History section of the page, under the subsection titled "Russian Invasion of Ukraine", the first paragraph of that subsection contains a statement not verified by the cited source:
"Others have noted how their participation in the war and defense of Mariupol have increased national and international notoriety and popularity of the unit"
The source cited makes no mention of an increase in national or international notoriety.
I suggest changing the cited source. The following CNBC article (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/us-lifts-ban-azov-brigade-ukraine-american-weapons-russia-rcna156487) has this quote which verifies the battalion has had an increase in popularity within Ukraine following the 2022 invasion by Russia:
"The unit has become a symbol of Ukraine’s resistance after the Russian invasion in Feb. 2022, with many of its fighters holding out to defend the Azovstal steel plant in the occupied city of Mariupol for months. Many of those fighters remain prisoners of war in Russia, but the steadfast defense of Mariupol propelled the brigade to a new level of fame and respect within Ukrainian society."
The following Al-Jazeera article (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/1/who-are-the-azov-regiment) also contains the following quote which supports that the popularity of the group internationally has increased:
"Transnational support for Azov has been wide, and Ukraine has emerged as a new hub for the far right across the world. Men from across three continents have been documented to join the Azov training units in order to seek combat experience and engage in similar ideology."
I think these sources would go to verify the statement that the Azov Battalion's profile has been raised domestically and internationally following the invasion of Ukraine and ought to be cited instead of the current source. Maybe the wording should be changed from "notoriety" to something else. KrimpleEast (talk) 22:54, 25 March 2026 (UTC)
Partly done: Thanks for pointing this out. I removed the old source, added the NBC source and changed the sentence to Others have noted how their participation in the war and defense of Mariupol have increased the national popularity of the unit
, also removing "notoriety" because no source says that defending Mariupol has increased their negative reputation.
I didn't add the Al Jazeera source because as far as I can tell, it's not clear if the paragraph you quoted about international popularity is before or after the 2022 invasion. The article it links to about Ukraine as a far-right hub is from 2021, and the paragraph is preceded and followed by discussion of pre-2022 events. Since it's unclear if this source supports the statement that defending Mariupol has increased Azov's international popularity, and there's currently no source in the article saying so, I removed the word "international" from the text for now. Helpful Cat🐈(talk) 06:46, 26 March 2026 (UTC)
Moving Other Azov Units
editThe subsection on other Azov Units did not seem to fit the history section as it started a chronology over again. It felt best moving it under "Structure," even though that is the Brigades current structure. If other editors feel it fits better under history, I would not object to it moving back. Jgmac1106 (talk) 01:30, 1 May 2026 (UTC)


