Instructors of the Azov Regiment [=National Guard of Ukraine unit & mil wing of the internationally active far-right Azov movement] were trained in the [Canada-backed] NGU center and then taught dozens of Azov fighters a course developed by NGU and Canada military -per NGU, Azov
Per statements, btw Aug-Oct 2021, 33 Azov fighters completed a 10-week course "developed with [Canada's] Operation Unifier', and instructors from Azov's Yevhen Konovalets Military School [YKMS] were trained for the task in the [Canada-backed] NGU center in Zolochiv.
Statements DON'T claim that Canada military was involved in training Azov/YKMS instructors, fighters, decisions to train them. But, NGU's Zolochiv Center is backed by Canada, US. Per 2020 Regimental Journal of The Royal Canadian Regiment, Canadian trainers worked out of Zolochiv.
Per statements, the course named Development Period-1 (Період розвитку-1) was taught to fighters at Azov's polygon & included "firearms, engineering, tactical training, tact. and civ. medicine, topography" and was described by the Regiment commander as a "historic moment".
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, says the course (Період розвитку-1) was developed jointly by the NGU and Operation Unifier and "focuses on developing the potential of *each* service member who has chosen contract service in the National Guard"
Upon completion of the course in October 2021 by 33 Azov fighters, Azov [YKMS] instructors previously trained in Zolochiv stated their readiness to teach the course on a regular basis for twice the number of trainees, statements say.
In 2020 and 2021 the Azov Regiment stated via its site, Telegram that dozens of its fighters trained, completed leadership, instructors courses in the NGU's Zolochiv Center [backed by US, Canada].
YKMS rep-ly operates out of Azov's "ATEK" hub in Kyiv where it's co-located with the Regiment's recruitment center, offices of the [Azov movement's] National Corps party. YKMS page on Azov's site links to a Youtube that features interviews with American, Euro white nationalists.
Azov, NGU statements should be considered against the backdrop of known Azov Regiment [and YKMS] contacts with Canadian officials in 2018. Canadian officials feared such contacts would be exposed, per @davidpugliese report ottawacitizen.com/news/national/…
More background: In late 2021 I drew attention to separate NGU statements made that year that Azov Regiment servicemen received training in other [US- and Canada-backed] training Centers of the NGU .
I also pointed out in my Sept 2021 report for @ILLSP_GWU that credible claims were made by Ukrainian far-right "Centuria"[Military Order Centuria] group that its members trained with Canadian, US, other Western military. I verified some such claims: illiberalism.org/far-right-grou…
That report illustrated how the far right are able to access Western training provided to Ukrainian troops, and propagandize the military and security forces of Ukraine.
Lack of screening for extremist views and ties by Western, Ukrainian military appears to play a role.
For that 2021 report, I reached out to gov-s of US, Canada, UK, Germany. All made simillar statements: when it came to screening recipients of training for extremism, they expected Ukraine government to select the right candidates. Ukrainian gov. doesn't conduct such screenings.
Reached for commentary, Canadian Defence Attaché in Ukraine told me at the time that Canada would deny training to Ukrainians who overtly expressed extremist views. "[...]they would be ejected from any training that the Canadians would provide.”
After my report was published, Ukraine, Canada [unlike UK, Berlin, US] promised probes. I haven't been contacted. As @C_Somos wrote, Canadian military said it wanted to "prevent the CAF from unwittingly aiding those whose views it fundamentally opposes” ctvnews.ca/world/far-righ…
Conclusion: NGU and Azov statements re the Regiment's access to a course "developed with [Canada's] Operation Unifier" appear to further buttress an understanding that Ukraine’s internationally active far right are able to benefit from Western military assistance to Ukraine.
Source statements: NGU, August 2021 ngu.gov.ua/pershyj-nabir-…; Azov, August 2021 azov.org.ua/na-poligoni-st…; Azov, October 2021 azov.org.ua/v-azovi-zavers…; Min of Internal Affairs, May 2020: mvs.gov.ua/uk/press-cente…
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