Latest news with #Prokopenko
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine's Azov Brigade soldiers left out of large-scale prisoner swap, its commander says
Colonel Denys "Redis" Prokopenko, Commander of the Azov National Guard Brigade, has stated that not a single Azov fighter was included in the recent three-day prisoner exchange with Russia. He said he does not believe the Ukrainian authorities are interested in bringing them back. Source: Prokopenko on Facebook Quote from Prokopenko: "Not a single Azov fighter. Among the 1,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war exchanged today, there is not a single member of Azov. Yet some scumbag who asked prison guards for a knife to butcher our soldiers was swapped. This feels like a mockery of those who are in their fourth year of enduring inhumane conditions in Russian captivity, in the worst conditions. It's a mockery of their families, loved ones and brothers-in-arms. It's a mockery of those who were given guarantees and who have every right to be prioritised for swaps, as they were taken prisoner not of their own volition but [because they surrendered] by order of the high command. Just days ago, Ukraine marked the third anniversary of the Mariupol garrison's withdrawal from Azovstal, hoping that the thousand-for-thousand swap would include fighters from the 12th Azov Brigade. Those expectations were not met." Details: Prokopenko believes that Russia's reluctance to release Azov fighters is not the only reason why they have been excluded from prisoner exchanges. He argues that Ukraine should offer Russia individuals of greater significance than "some conscript from Omsk" to secure the release of Azov fighters. Quote from Prokopenko: "Ukraine is teeming with Russian agents – all the special services know this and need only an order to act. I believe that priests from the [Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the] Moscow Patriarchate, who openly work for Russian intelligence, would be of greater interest to Russia than the ordinary soldiers they're using to capture the lands of Ukraine... ...There are options; we just need to adapt and explore new approaches and configurations. Because the fact that not a single Azov fighter was among the thousand in this swap is a disgrace for our entire nation. I do not believe the authorities are committed to bringing back Azov fighters, because the same individuals are now in their fourth year of handling exchanges ineffectively." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Russia Today
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Ukrainian neo-Nazi unit commander offered promotion
The Ukrainian National Guard has announced that the commander of the notorious neo-Nazi Azov brigade, Colonel Denis 'Redis' Prokopenko, will be promoted, significantly increasing his troop command. Originally formed as a volunteer unit of radical nationalists, Azov rose to prominence in Ukraine following the 2014 Western-backed coup and reportedly became a central part of an international white supremacist network. The Ukrainian government incorporated it into the National Guard the same year. In an interview on Thursday, National Guard Commander General Aleksandr Pivnenko announced that Prokopenko would lead a new corps, which will encompass Azov along with four additional brigades. The paramilitary organization is establishing two new corps seeking to enhance coordination among frontline units. In 2022, the Ukrainian government and its Western allies positioned Azov members as the public face of the resistance against Russia, particularly during their doomed defense of the Soviet-era Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. Read more Danish politicians applaud member of Ukraine's neo-Nazi unit (VIDEO) The facility was surrendered in May 2022. While Kiev denied the existence of radical extremists in its military ranks, many Azov POWs were found with Nazi-themed tattoos. Four months later, Prokopenko and other Azov leaders were transferred to Türkiye as part of a mediated prisoner exchange. Ankara initially planned to detain them until the conclusion of the conflict, although they were released back to Ukraine the following year. Azov troops and their families have received a hero's welcome at some of the most prestigious Western institutions, including Stanford University. Their lobbying efforts featured a rebranding, replacing the unit's original insignia inspired by the Nazi Wolfsangel symbol with a less controversial logo. Moscow has accused Western governments of ignoring the prevalence of neo-Nazi ideology among Ukrainian nationalists and their influence within the military. As of March, Russian courts had convicted over 140 Azov members for various offenses, while the unit itself is designated as a terrorist organization in Russia.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Whatever foreign politicians say, the front line should always have the last word, says Azov Brigade commander
On the Day of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred, National Guard Azov Brigade commander Denys Prokopenko has commented on statements by Western politicians, emphasising that the heroism of Ukrainian defenders, who have been fighting against Russia for 11 years, should inspire Ukrainians and prevent them from despairing, as the front line should always have the last word. [Heavenly Hundred – participants of the Revolution of Dignity, who were killed by the security officers and their mercenaries – ed.] Source: Prokopenko on X (Twitter) Quote: "It has always been this way: only the brave are respected, only the influential are listened to, and only the strong are considered important… For eleven years, we have relied on half-measures to fight a war against a country with an advantage in population and resources. Moreover, for three years, Ukraine has endured the full-scale invasion by one of the world's most combat-effective military forces. The daily feats of Ukrainian soldiers should inspire us and prevent us from despairing despite any statements made by foreign politicians, analysts, and experts. The front line should always have the last word… Nothing in today's information environment should divert us from the path we have chosen. The same goes for those who eagerly began preparing for political games and illusory elections – under no circumstances should Ukrainians pay attention to them. All focus and strength must go to the front line. Desperation arises when circumstances force people to stop fighting for their cause. But that is not about us. We hold our lines, and we destroy the occupiers!" Details: Prokopenko stated that despite Ukraine facing challenges and much work remaining ahead, the country has already secured its place in history through its resistance to Russian occupation, the courage and strength of its military, strong horizontal public relations and the skill of its diplomats. "This is where the real Ukrainian agency comes from. And this is what vexes those who perceive a strong and independent Ukraine as a thorn in their side," Prokopenko writes. The commander added that Ukrainians once believed in empty promises, giving up their nuclear weapons and critically weakening the country's defence capabilities. Meanwhile, Ukraine's enemies have worked since 1991 to keep the country weak, fragmented, toothless and dependent: "In 2013, Ukraine began to awaken and build its muscles, finally recognising the need to assert its agency." Quote: "It would be naive to assume that building this agency would be painless, and expecting someone else to pave the way to this goal would be an even greater mistake." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
