The Azov Lobby

A new Substack about Ukraine's Azov movement

Since the fall of 2022, my focus began to shift from the “Bandera Lobby” to a new phenomenon that I can only call the “Azov Lobby,” when neo-Nazis from the now-famous Azov unit in the National Guard of Ukraine started visiting the United States, and Washington in particular. My obsession with the contemporary OUN-B was rooted in the fact that (almost) nobody else acknowledged its existence. For example, Michael Colborne, who wrote a book about the Azov movement (that came out days after the Russian invasion) and thereafter went completely silent on the topic, has said I’m a “complete loon, avoid him at all costs,” because the OUN-B “doesn’t exist anymore.” (Apologies to my long-time subscribers.) Now that there is (almost) nobody else keeping tabs on — and writing about — Ukraine’s most powerful neo-Nazi movement, I’ve felt obligated to be on the look out for Azovites coming to the United States, at the very least. Since 2022, I’ve written more than 20 articles about Azov (and reposted some here), which certainly doesn’t make me an expert. But I’m not an OUN expert, either. Anyway, I hope nobody minds that I’m putting you all on the “Azov Lobby Blog” mailing list.

The Azov Lobby (2022-24)

• Azov Delegation Visits U.S. — Part One (Sep. 22, 2022), Part Two (Oct. 5, 2022)

• Ukrainian Neo-Nazi Visits U.S. — Azov Regiment photographer travels to DC and NYC, Part One (Nov. 10, 2022), Part Two (Dec. 3, 2022)

• The Azov Lobby — Part One: Growing Networks to ‘Support Azov’ (Jan. 15, 2023); Part Two: The Intermarium Project (Feb. 5, 2023); Part Three: ‘Support Azov’ vs. ‘Azov One’ (Jun. 14, 2023)

• A Special Branding Operation to Nazify Ukraine — Part One: Far-right underbelly of Ukraine’s ‘most powerful brand’ (Jan. 17, 2023); Part Two: M-TAC revisited (Mar. 14, 2023); Part Three: Zelensky boosts crypto-Nazi ‘military community’ (Aug. 8, 2023)

• Another Azov delegation visits the United States (Jun. 11, 2023)

• ‘Ukraine Belongs to Us’ (Jul. 17, 2023) — Azov Lobby updates

• ‘Who is Afraid of Far-Right?’ (Aug. 15, 2023) — Azov and Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation

• Azov Brigade Invades London, Greeted as Liberators (May 29, 2024) — Warm welcome for neo-Nazi movement in England

• ‘This is Where the Presidents Play’ (Jul. 1, 2024) — Petraeus hosts golf tournament for neo-Nazis at Joint Base Andrews

• ‘Gandalf’ and ‘Azov 2.0’ (Sep. 2, 2024) — An Azov intelligence officer and propaganda about ‘depoliticization’

• Did ‘Our Little Baby’ Make a Nazi International? (Sep. 11, 2024) — Ukrainian military intelligence and ‘Nation Europa’

• ‘Love is Blind’ Meets Azov (Oct. 1, 2024) — American Azov veteran co-stars in Netflix reality TV show

• Azov Goes to Brussels (Oct. 17, 2024) — NATO headquarters welcomes Azov Brigade

• Valhalla and the Black Sun (Oct. 22, 2024) — Nazi paganism and the Azov movement

• ‘Junger,’ ‘Steiner,’ and ‘Terror’ (Oct. 24, 2024) — The neo-Nazi ‘Special Forces’ that recaptured a ‘Russian stronghold’

• ‘100% Gentle Azovization’ (Nov. 1, 2024) — Neo-Nazis train Ukraine’s Presidential Brigade, and top instructor calls Ukrainians slaves that must be weaponized

• ‘WW3 is Game On’ (Nov. 10, 2024) — Azov intelligence chief speaks at inaugural military technology conference by new venture capital firm betting big on WW3

• Kyiv Youth Forum: Nazis Are Our Future (Nov. 12, 2024) — Azov stars at NATO-sponsored youth conference

• Match Made in Azov (Nov. 16, 2024) — Associated Press whitewashes neo-Nazi love story

• Which Way Ukrainian Hooligan? (Dec. 31, 2024) — Nazis at a Crossroads: ‘Nation Europa’ or European Union