Ukrainian Neo-Nazis Seek to Join US-Led Coalition in Syria - German Media

The commander of the Ukrainian Azov volunteer battalion recently announced that he and his forces are ready to fight on the side of the Western coalition in Syria, DWN wrote.

Biletsky stressed that the Azov militias are willing to fight against Daesh terrorists together with the US.

"We can send out international legion to Syria so that it would fight on the side of the Western coalition," Biletsky said.

According to the newspaper, Ukrainian neo-Nazis have good relations with the US as many of them participated in the military training of the Ukrainian army conducted by American soldiers. The training was directed against Russia and Donbass militias, seeking independence from Ukraine, DWN wrote.

The Azov Battalion has been repeatedly accused of committing war crimes in Eastern Ukraine. The crimes were reported to range from armed assault and robbery, to kidnapping and murder.

Against the background of worsening relations between Russia and Turkey, members of the battalion expressed sympathy for the latter and announced their willingness “to deepen” relations between Turkey and Ukraine.

Relations between Moscow and Ankara deteriorated after a Turkish jet brought down a Russian Su-24 aircraft over Syria in November, claiming it had violated Turkish airspace. Both the Russian General Staff and the Syrian Air Defense Command confirmed that the Russian jet had never crossed into Turkish airspace.