Demonstrations planned for the arrival of the Ukrainian far-right group, "Azov Brigade," in Berlin
In the heart of Berlin, a scheduled event featuring the Ukrainian Azov Brigade was abruptly cancelled this week, following protests by left-wing groups across Europe. The controversial military unit, known for its far-right origins and historical associations with neo-Nazi symbolism, has sparked international controversy despite its formal integration into Ukraine's armed forces.
The event, planned for Thursday, July 25, was to take place at Hotel Continental - Art Space in Exile. However, the organisers decided to call it off following the growing opposition. A protest was scheduled outside the hotel on Elsenstraße in Treptow at 18:00, but the rally was no longer needed as the event was cancelled.
The protest was intended to rally against the visit of the Ukrainian far-right Azov Brigade, which has been shown repeatedly to glorify Nazi crimes. Berlin politician Ferat Kocak expressed his disapproval, stating that Berlin does not need additional meeting points for the extreme right and no militaristic propaganda.
The cancelled event was part of a European recruiting and publicity tour for the Ukrainian Azov Brigade, a far-right military group. The tour aimed to provide "informal communication with warriors", "real stories from the front line", and "military humor". Tickets for the event cost €20, and there was space for 180 people.
The Azov Brigade originated as the Azov Battalion in 2014, during the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Despite its integration into Ukraine’s armed forces and its active role in fighting Russian forces, the Azov unit’s origins continue to provoke protests and criticism in Europe, particularly by left-wing and anti-fascist groups.
The recent Berlin event is just one example of the ongoing controversy surrounding the Azov Brigade. Last week, an Azov fighter was criticised for posing for a picture in front of a barbed wire fence at the former Auschwitz concentration camp wearing a T-shirt with a Hitler quote: "Where we are, there is no place for anyone else".
As the Azov Brigade continues to fight on the front lines, the debate over its controversial past and present role will undoubtedly persist, with events like the one in Berlin serving as a reminder of the ongoing tensions.
[1] Sources: BBC News, The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.
Politics and general news have been abuzz about the cancelled event featuring the Ukrainian Azov Brigade, a far-right military unit, in Berlin. The event, part of a European recruiting tour, faced protests and criticism due to the Azov Brigade's history of praising Nazi crimes and glorifying war-and-conflicts, as demonstrated by a recent incident at Auschwitz. Crime-and-justice issues are also at play, as Berlin politicians express disapproval of the visit, viewing it as an additional meeting point for the extreme right and a platform for militaristic propaganda.
