For those not in the know, the Azov Battalion was originally a volunteer unit that was founded by far-right figures (and admittedly, and somewhat bizarrely, partially funded by a Jewish-Ukrainian oligarch). However, in 2015, it was folded into the Ukrainian National Guard, and subsequently subjected to the ordinary controls on recruitment and retainment (ie active neonazis were kicked out).

There is some suggestion that the unit still has elements of a far-right culture that linger, but it would be disingenuous to continue calling them a neonazi unit, as recruits from all over Ukraine regardless of leaning or origin; Jewish, Liberal, Leftist, etc; have been assigned to the unit through normal channels and very few of the original members remain.