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Biden Lifts Ban on Arms Supplies to Ukraine's Controversial Azov Unit on June 11, Sparking Russian Criticism

Jun 11, 2024, 07:38 AM

The Biden administration has lifted the ban on supplying weapons to Ukraine's Azov unit, a move that has sparked significant controversy. Previously, the U.S. had refrained from providing weaponry to the Azov unit due to concerns about escalating tensions with Russia. The decision, announced on June 11, has been met with strong criticism from the Kremlin, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov describing it as 'extremely negative' and accusing the U.S. of arming what they consider to be a 'terrorist' group. This shift in policy has also led to accusations from Russia that the West is supporting 'Nazi scum' in Ukraine. The Azov unit, which has faced scrutiny for its past affiliations since 2014, is now viewed by some as one of Ukraine's most effective fighting forces. Bad-faith actors in the West have long misconstrued its past with its present.