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Thread! The Azov Regiment (part of Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs) issues a statement explaining how exactly it fits into far-right “the Azov movement” led by head of the National Corps party, the Regiment’s historically first commander Biletsky archive.is/1SD3h:
"Term "the Azov movement" eagerly manipulated by our politicians and media, is actually native to all of the Azov Regiment fighters. It was born out of the name of our Regiment among those who, regardless of when it happened, carried arms in its ranks. 
You can't break the Azov into the real and not real, because the Azovites are bound by blood spilled in our battles for Ukraine. In peaceful life, having returned from the war, our fighters don't seize being Azovites, unless they have betrayed their fighting family.
Active duty members of the Azov Regiment don't participate in civic activities of our comrades, and we can't bear responsibility for them, but we'll forever be grateful to all who joined the movement, that bears the name of our unit, and thus showed us their respect and support"
In the same statement, the Azov Regiment pledges "moral support" for "all patriotic organizations in the rear [as opposed to the front lines] that stand against traitors of the country"
The regiment's statement comes on the heels of anti-Poroshenko rallies led by the National Corps in Ukraine for the second weekend straight, AND @StateDept Human Rights Report 2018 calling Azov's National Corps "hate group", citing attacks on Roma, LGBTI
If you wanna find out more about the Azov Regiment links to the National Corps, the National Militia, and the peculiar setup the Azov movement has with Ukraine's Min of Internal Affairs go to "Azov and the Ukrainian Government: Blurred Lines" section here bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-eu…
